Residential Permit Drawings: What Each Home Project Needs
Residential permit drawings are the plans a homeowner or builder submits to get a building permit for work on a house. Every project needs a site plan and a floor plan, but the rest of the set depends on the work: a home addition needs full architectural, structural and MEP sheets; a detached garage needs a foundation and roof framing design; and a deck needs footing, ledger and guardrail details. This guide shows what each common home project needs.
Home addition drawings
Home addition drawings are the most complete residential permit set: existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, a section, foundation and framing plans, the tie-in to the existing roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC layouts, and energy compliance. Use our residential addition permit drawings checklist before you submit, or see our home addition drawings service.
ADU permit drawings
Accessory dwelling units are full homes, so ADU permit plans include everything an addition does plus separate utilities, fire separation where required, and zoning items like parking and setbacks that many states have relaxed. See the ADU permitting and approval process.
Garage building permit drawings
Garage building permit drawings for a detached garage show the slab and footing design, wall framing, roof framing or truss layout, garage door headers and elevations. An attached garage adds fire separation between the garage and the house. Converting a garage into living space is a different permit path, covered in garage conversion permits. See also garage addition permit drawings.
Deck permit drawings
Deck plans for a permit focus on structure: footing size and depth, post and beam layout, joist size and spacing, the ledger connection to the house, stairs, and guardrail details. Our guide to the deck permit drawing process shows what sample deck plans for a permit include.
Sunroom, patio cover and porch drawings
Sunrooms, patio covers and porches sit between a deck and an addition. Open covers are reviewed on structure and setbacks; enclosed rooms can add energy code, electrical and HVAC. See does a sunroom need a permit and patio cover and porch permit drawings.
Remodels and interior alterations
Interior remodels need permit drawings when they move walls, change structure, add bedrooms or bathrooms, or alter electrical, plumbing or HVAC. Basement finishes also have to meet egress and ceiling height rules; see basement conversion requirements.
Getting residential permit drawings
ArchPermits prepares residential permit drawings for additions, ADUs, garages, decks, sunrooms, patio covers and remodels in all 50 states, delivered in 24 hours to 7 days. Browse our permit drawing services or order online.
Frequently asked questions
What drawings do I need for a residential building permit?
Most residential permits need a site plan and floor plan. Depending on the project, you may also need elevations, a section, foundation and framing plans, MEP layouts and energy compliance notes.
What drawings are needed for a home addition?
Existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, a section, foundation and framing plans, roof tie-in details, electrical, plumbing and HVAC layouts, and energy compliance.
Do I need drawings for a garage permit?
Yes. A garage permit usually needs a site plan, floor plan, elevations, foundation and slab design, wall and roof framing, and header details. Attached garages also need fire separation details.
What do deck plans for a permit include?
Footing size and depth, post and beam layout, joist size and spacing, the ledger attachment to the house, stair and guardrail details, and a site plan showing setbacks.
Have a project that touches on this? Browse all our permit drawing services, delivered in 24 hours to 7 days nationwide, or the full permitting resource library.
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