What is a site plan? Everything council expects to see on one
Updated 2026-07-20 · RapidSiteplan
A site plan is a scaled, top-down drawing of a property. It shows the lot boundaries with their lengths, everything already built on the lot, and — in red or clearly marked — the structure you propose to build, with its size and its distances to each boundary.
What has to be on it
- Lot boundaries with lengths, plus the lot and plan number
- Existing buildings — the house, sheds, driveways, pools
- The proposed structure, dimensioned, with setbacks to each boundary
- North arrow, scale (1:100 to 1:500 is typical) and street name
- Site coverage — how much of the lot is built on, before and after
- A title block: owner, address, date, drawing number
Why council cares
The assessing officer or private certifier uses the site plan to check boundary setbacks, site coverage limits and whether the build clashes with easements or services. A clear, accurate site plan is very often the difference between same-week approval and a request-for-information letter that stalls the job.
Who can draw one
Anyone — there is no rule that a site plan must come from a draftsperson. What matters is accuracy and the drawing conventions above. That is exactly what RapidSiteplan produces: type the address, the real lot loads, place the structure, download the PDF.
Generate my site plan →General information only, not building or legal advice — requirements vary by council and change over time; always confirm with your council or certifier.