How to Read a Residential Site Plan, Step by Step

Read a residential site plan by understanding scale, north, property bearings, setbacks, contours, finished elevations, driveway access, coverage, and source notes.

Read from the outside in

Confirm identity, scale and north; follow parcel boundaries and frontage; then evaluate restrictions, proposed improvements and vertical fit.

Read sources with geometry

Mapped boundaries, terrain, default rules and conceptual grading must be distinguished from survey, confirmed zoning and engineered design.