Site plan
A site plan is a drawing of a project on its lot, showing buildings, parking, access, and landscaping, reviewed against the code.
Also called site development plan, site plan review, or development plan.
What it tells you
A site plan is close to construction: the building size, use, and layout are known. Contractors and suppliers use it to reach the owner before bids.
How it moves through a city or county
- The developer's engineer or architect submits the plan.
- Planning, engineering, fire, and utility staff review it, often over several rounds.
- Staff approve it, or the planning commission does for larger projects.
- Construction drawings and building permits follow.
Many cities approve site plans at staff level with no hearing, so they never reach an agenda. Others send larger or sensitive ones to the planning commission.
Recent site plans
From public filings in Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71-Unit Residential Development on 10.87 Acres | Indiantown, FL | D.R. Horton | Single-family | 71 homes10.9 acres | Approved | |
| 36-Unit Residential Expansion at St. Therese Campus | Corcoran, MN | Saint Therese of Corcoran | Residential | 36 units | Approved | |
| 50-Unit Townhome Development | Norton Shores, MI | Vaneklasen Construction | Townhomes | 50 townhomes | Approved |
As of How we count
Common questions
- Is a site plan the same as a plat?
- No, a plat divides land into lots, while a site plan shows what will be built on a lot. A project may need both, such as a plat for a commercial pad and a site plan for the building.
- Why do some site plans never reach a public meeting?
- Many cities let staff approve site plans that meet the code, so there is no hearing or agenda item. Boardwalk sees site plans only when they appear in public meeting records.
Related terms
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See new site plans near you.
Pick Site Plan Approval under Application Type on the Boardwalk map.