How to Draw a Site Plan for a Building Permit in City of Cambridge
Ilya Tkachov
Updated
If you are applying for a building permit in City of Cambridge, the site plan is the drawing that shows where the proposed work will sit on your property. City of Cambridge asks for site plans for projects such as decks, garages, sheds, and signs.
This guide explains how to draw a site plan for a building permit in City of Cambridge, what details to include, and when to use a property survey as the base for a more accurate drawing.
What is a site plan?
Site plan definition
A site plan is a top-down drawing of your property. It shows the property lines, existing structures, proposed project, and the distances between the proposed work and the property lines.
For a homeowner, the easiest way to think about it is this: a site plan for property shows what is already on the lot and what you want to add or change. A site plan for a building permit helps City of Cambridge review the proposed location, setbacks, overhead electrical lines, septic features, easements, trees, and existing structures when those details apply.
The drawing should be clear enough for the reviewer to understand the project without guessing where the work is, how large it is, or what is nearby.
Common site plan terminology
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Setbacks | The distances from a structure or proposed structure to the property lines. |  Setback example |
| Existing buildings and structures | Things already on the property, such as the house, garage, deck, shed, driveway, porch, pool, patio, or fence. |  Existing structures example |
| Proposed buildings and structures | New items you want approval for, such as a proposed deck, garage, shed, or sign. |  Proposed structures example |
| Dimensions | Measurements written directly on the drawing, including the size of the proposed work and distances to nearby property lines. |  Site plan dimensions example |
| Lot lines or property lines | The legal edges of your property. These are the lines reviewers use when checking setbacks. |  Property line example |
| Easement | A part of your property where another person, utility, municipality, or other party has a limited legal right to use or access the land for a specific purpose. |  Easement example |
| Right-of-way | A legal right for another person, utility, municipality, or public authority to pass over or use part of the property for access, travel, servicing, or maintenance. |  Right-of-way example |
Do you need a site plan?
You usually need a site plan when your project adds or changes something outside the house. In City of Cambridge, site plan information is listed for deck, garage, shed, and sign applications.
For decks, garages, and sheds, City of Cambridge asks for property lines and property dimensions, the proposed project location and distance to property lines, existing structure locations and sizes, overhead electrical lines, septic tank and bed information if applicable, easements, and trees with a diameter of 20 cm or more.
For signs, City of Cambridge asks for site plan drawings showing sign location, proximity to property lines, and distances to hydro conductors if applicable.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Cambridge. Get started
Site plan requirements for building permits in City of Cambridge
The exact City of Cambridge requirements depend on the project, but a useful site plan usually includes:
- Property lines and property dimensions
- Existing house and structures, with sizes
- Proposed project location
- Dimensions of the proposed work
- Distance from the proposed work to property lines
- Location of overhead electrical lines on the property
- Septic tank and bed location, if applicable
- Distance from septic features to the proposed project, if applicable
- Easements on the property
- Trees with a diameter of 20 cm, or 8 inches, or more
- Distance from those trees to the proposed project
- Sign location and distance to property lines or hydro conductors for sign applications
Use the City of Cambridge permit portal instructions for your exact project first. If your property has septic, easements, overhead lines, or mature trees, show them directly on the site plan instead of leaving them for the reviewer to infer.
Decks, garages, and sheds
For a deck, garage, or shed, start with the property outline, then add the existing house and any existing structures. Draw the proposed deck, garage, or shed and label it clearly.
Add the property dimensions, proposed structure dimensions, setbacks to property lines, overhead electrical lines, septic tank and bed if applicable, easements, and trees that are at least 20 cm in diameter.
Signs
For a sign application, show the sign location and its proximity to property lines. If there are hydro conductors near the proposed sign, note the distance to them on the drawing.
(Without Survey) How to draw a site plan using the Google Maps method for City of Cambridge
The Google Maps method can help you make a practical first draft when you do not have a survey and the permit reviewer has not required one. It is most useful for organizing the property layout before you prepare the final site plan.
Google Maps does not show legal property lines. If your project is close to a lot line, easement, septic system, overhead electrical line, or mature tree, use a survey or confirm the location another way before submitting.
1. Look up your address
Open Google Maps and search for your property address.
Google Maps search bar
Switch to the satellite view so you can see the house, driveway, yard, fences, and nearby streets. Click Layers, then open the additional map options.
Click Layers and More in Google Maps
Select Satellite as the map type.
Select Satellite in Google Maps
Zoom in far enough that the house and the work area are clear, but leave enough space around the property to show the street and lot shape.
2. Take a screenshot
Take a screenshot of the map view.
- On Windows, use
Windows + Shift + S. - On macOS, use
Command + Shift + 4. - On iPhone/iPad/Android, use the device screenshot buttons.
Save the screenshot somewhere easy to find.
Screenshot of property from Google Maps
3. Open the screenshot in paint
Open the screenshot in a simple drawing tool. Microsoft Paint, Preview on macOS, a tablet markup tool, or any basic image editor can work.
4. Trace the footprint of your house
Trace the outside shape of the house and label it with the property address or the words "existing house."
House footprint traced on site plan
5. Trace your property boundary
Draw the approximate property boundary around the lot. Label the lines as "approximate property line" unless you are working from a survey.
Approximate property boundary traced on site plan
6. Trace and label existing structures
Trace the existing structures that matter to the project, such as a garage, deck, shed, driveway, porch, patio, or fence. Label each one as existing and add sizes when you know them.
Existing structures added to site plan
7. Draw proposed structures
Draw the proposed work on top of the screenshot. Use a different color, dashed line, or bold outline so it stands out.
Label the proposed work clearly, such as "proposed deck," "proposed garage," "proposed shed," or "proposed sign."
Proposed structures added to site plan
8. Measure setbacks, proposed, and existing structures
Add the size of the proposed work and the distance from the proposed work to property lines. Add overhead electrical lines, septic tank and bed, easements, and trees with a diameter of 20 cm or more when they apply.
Canada-based metric example:
Canada-based site plan measurements
(Without Survey) How to draw a site plan by hand for City of Cambridge
You can also draw a site plan by hand for a simple project when a survey is not required. Use a ruler, keep the drawing clean, and write measurements clearly.
1. Draw the footprint of your house
Start by drawing the outside shape of your house. Label it "existing house" and add the property address.
House footprint drawn by hand
2. Draw your property boundary
Draw the property boundary around the house and write the lot dimensions. If the boundary is approximate, label it that way.
Property boundary drawn by hand
3. Draw the main street along your property
Draw the street along the front of the property and write the street name. If the property is on a corner, show both streets.
Main street drawn on hand site plan
4. Label the rear of your property
Label the rear yard or back of the property so the drawing is easy to orient.
Rear yard labeled on hand site plan
5. Draw existing and proposed structures
Add existing structures, then draw the proposed project and label it clearly. Include overhead electrical lines, easements, septic features, and trees when they apply.
Existing and proposed structures drawn by hand
6. Measure setbacks, proposed, and existing structures
Write the proposed work dimensions and setbacks directly on the drawing. Add distances to septic features, trees, and hydro conductors when those items are relevant.
Measurements added to hand-drawn site plan
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Cambridge. Get started
(With Survey) How to draw a site plan using a survey for City of Cambridge
If you have a property survey, use it as the base for your City of Cambridge site plan. A survey is helpful because it can show legal property lines, existing buildings, easements, rights-of-way, and measurements that are more reliable than a map screenshot.
If you do not have a survey, check your closing documents, ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company, or submit a Freedom of Information request to the City of Cambridge. You can also read our guide for getting a property survey in Ontario before paying for a new one.
1. Print your survey, and get an extra blank piece of paper
Print the survey at a readable size. If possible, keep the scale intact. Get a blank sheet of paper, tracing paper, or a transparent digital layer if you are working on a tablet.
Do not mark up your only original copy. Work on a copy so you can start over if needed.
Example property survey to use as the base drawing
Blank paper, ruler, and pen for drawing over a survey
2. Place the paper over, and trace important details
Trace the property boundary, house footprint, north arrow, street, setback measurements, easements, rights-of-way, existing structures, and anything on the survey that affects the proposed work.
Add overhead electrical lines, septic tank and bed, and trees with a diameter of 20 cm or more when those details apply to your property.
Survey details traced by hand
3. Draw your proposed structures and add measurements and setbacks
Draw the proposed work on the traced survey or survey copy. Label it clearly as proposed and write the dimensions of the proposed work.
Add setbacks from the proposed work to property lines, and add distances to septic features, trees, hydro conductors, and easements when they are relevant.
Proposed structures drawn on traced survey
Site plan examples for permit for City of Cambridge
If you do not have a local sample for your project, use the City of Cambridge checklist as your format guide. A clear site plan should include property lines, property dimensions, the existing house and structures, proposed work, setbacks, overhead electrical lines, septic information if applicable, easements, and qualifying trees.
For signs, keep the drawing focused on sign location, property line proximity, and hydro conductor distances if applicable.
Common site plan mistakes that delay your building permit in City of Cambridge
Most site plan delays come from missing nearby conditions that affect where the project can be built.
Missing existing structures
Show the existing house and existing structures on the property. City of Cambridge asks for the location and size of existing structures for deck, garage, and shed applications.
Missing setback measurements
Add distances from the proposed project to property lines. For signs, show the sign's proximity to property lines.
Missing overhead electrical lines or hydro conductors
If overhead electrical lines or hydro conductors affect the project, show them and add the relevant distances. This is especially important for signs and structures near service lines.
Missing septic, easement, or tree details
If your property has a septic tank and bed, easement, or trees with a diameter of 20 cm or more, show them on the site plan and add distances to the proposed project where City of Cambridge asks for them.
Frequently asked questions about site plans
Can homeowners prepare and submit their own drawings in City of Cambridge?
Yes. In Ontario, a homeowner can generally prepare drawings for a house they own because the Ontario Building Code exempts design work for "a house owned by the person" from the usual designer qualification requirements under Division C, Article 3.2.5.1.(3)(b)(i). City of Cambridge can still require enough detail for permit review.
What if City of Cambridge asks me to fill out Schedule 1: Designer Information?
For the design activities section, select House and describe the project, such as "deck," "garage," "shed," or "sign."
Under the designer declaration, choose The design work is exempt from the registration and qualification requirements of the Building Code. For the basis of exemption, write Homeowner.
Where can I get a legal property survey in City of Cambridge?
Start with your closing documents, then ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company. If those do not work, submit a Freedom of Information request to the City of Cambridge.
Read our Ontario ultimate guide for getting a property survey before paying for a new survey.
Does my survey need to be recent?
An older survey prepared by a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor can still be useful if it accurately shows property boundaries and existing conditions. Update your site plan so it shows current structures, trees, overhead lines, septic information, and proposed work.
What if City of Cambridge rejects my site plan?
Read the review comments and revise the drawing to answer each one. Add missing property dimensions, setbacks, existing structure sizes, overhead electrical lines, septic details, easements, tree locations, or sign distances as requested.
When do I need a survey or professional drawing?
Use a survey when the project is close to a property line, easement, septic feature, tree, or overhead electrical line. You may need professional help when the project is structural, engineered, complex, or when City of Cambridge specifically requires it.
Conclusion
A good beginner site plan does not need to be complicated. It needs to show the property, the existing conditions, the proposed work, and the measurements that matter for your building permit in City of Cambridge.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Cambridge. Get started