A site plan is a design or sketch of a property that shows the land area and its elements from an aerial view. This viewpoint is usually used to see a detailed perspective of a building project that includes structures, access roads, parking lots, gardens, fences, land boundaries, water channels, entrances and exits, as well as other features around it. That way, this design is also a small map of an area or location.
Site plans are used to create a clear development plan, understand the geographical factors of an area to be built, get easy licensing processes, and arrange development elements neatly. The design that includes the layout of this building is made by an architect, drafter, city planner, or even a civil engineer.
In the UK, the layout of the site plan is regulated in the planning permission and building regulations system. Planning permission focuses on the appearance and impact of the building you are going to work on the environment. By this, you must obtain it before the work process begins. Building regulations include permits regarding the safety, function, and technical standards of the structure you are going to build. Nevertheless, you can obtain permits along with the development process of your project.
Importance of site plan
There are several benefits you can get from making a good site plan, such as regulatory compliance, project visualisation, an efficient building process, and historical documentation. For this reason, this plan is an important part of building a structure. To learn more about how it gives you advantages, below is a list of how a good plan brings you benefits, such as:
- Guide the development concept
- Make sure the sustainability of the social, economic, and environmental aspects
- Provide better planning and urban design outcomes
- Make sure the project’s alignment with authoritative building codes
What are the 4 details found on a site plan?
There are four important details that should be on a site plan such as property lines, easements, existing and proposed conditions, and surrounding streets. However, these details are not limited to these four. It may be varied based on the project and the plan’s needs. The additional details may include setbacks, construction limits, driveways, fire hydrants, and landscaped areas.
These elements can help you determine the best building placement and understand the building surroundings. For this reason, this will make your building project easier. Therefore, knowing all the details can help you make a comprehensive plan. To understand it more, below are some of the details that you should include in your plan, such as:
Property lines
This is the line that defines the boundary of an area legally. With this line, it can help you, as an owner, to make sure your building doesn’t overstep the neighbour or other properties. Therefore, it is an important element to be included in a site plan because it can help to comply with zoning laws, building codes, and setbacks. To know these lines, you can read the property line map or plat, check the deed to the property, get a property line survey, look for property line markers, and check with your local zoning office.
Easements
These are details that indicate property features that are located on another land, such as access, utility lines, or other properties. For example, when you make a pipe installation for your home, you need to have a legal right or permit to cross your neighbour’s property. This is called an easement. It should be in the structure plan because it may affect other properties. Putting this element can help you avoid conflicts with your neighbour and the laws about it. You can show this feature through a graph by defining the area or route that involves an easement.
Existing and proposed conditions
Existing and proposed conditions are the details of the current and the previous state of a plan. These elements should be put on a site plan because they can help the authorities understand the full scope of the project, identify the changes, and provide good alignment with the building codes and zoning laws. To do so, you can put fence lines, utility, and power lines as the symbol.
Surrounding streets
This detail shows how traffic flows through and around the site. These traffic sites may include the main arteries, avenues, or even dead ends. Putting this information in a site plan can help you illustrate the impact of your project on the traffic around your workplace. Doing so can prevent a really bad traffic jam due to construction vehicles from happening.
Steps to make a structure plan
There are several steps you can take to make a good site plan. You can start with data compilation, design scope, layout drafting, adding elements, review, and finalisation. Each of these steps involves several processes that can help you make accurate information for the site. Having accurate information can make the permit application process easier. To know more about how to make it, here is a step-by-step guide:
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Compile data and information: Start to understand what project you will work on, compile the relevant data and information, identify the property boundary, be aware of the site’s topography, and follow the requirements of the law, like local zoning laws, building codes, and environmental rules.
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Set the design scope: Define the scope of your project. For example, you need to know if your project is for residential, commercial, or public space purposes. You can do it by knowing the building's placement, access, circulation, and landscaping.
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Make an initial layout draft: Start to make the layouts. However, a site plan is not just about structures. You also need to add several important details to ensure its functionality. To do so, you can set the location of the parking areas, the drainage system, and the safety measures.
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Use key site elements: Using elements can help you to make your plan understandable to all people involved in the project. You can do it by adding a legend or annotations.
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Review for compliance: Once the design is settled, you also need to make sure that your project has followed the local regulations and their zoning requirements.
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Finalise and present: If the design is completed and meets the laws, then it is ready to be published. You can make a site plan in a PDF or DWG file to make it easy to read on different devices.
Final thought
Making a design is challenging but also fun to do. This is because you can have a realistic visualisation of your idea through site planning. This can make your idea feel real, especially if you add elements that can make it come alive. With this view, you can have a better understanding of your project’s landscape, the opportunity to find hidden features, and a more accurate project depiction.
However, making a site plan requires special techniques and comprehensive research. To help you do that, the College of Contract Management provides you with the lessons you need. These lessons can help you widen your expertise and improve your practical skills. This way, you can advance your career in the construction field. What are you waiting for? Sign up now to get more benefits!
