How to Draw a Site Plan for a Building Permit in City of Kingston
Ilya Tkachov
Updated
If you are applying for a building permit in City of Kingston, the site plan or plot plan is the drawing that connects your project to the actual lot. City of Kingston's deck guidance says the site plan can be hand drawn, but it must be clear, concise, and drawn to scale. Pool enclosure projects need a more detailed plot plan with distances to the pool, fence, gates, equipment, septic features, easements, and nearby structures.
This guide explains how to draw a site plan for a building permit in City of Kingston, what details to include for decks, porches, pools, and accessory structures, and how to use a survey when exact property-line information matters.
What is a site plan?
Site plan definition
A site plan is a scaled or clearly dimensioned drawing of your property from above. It shows the property lines, existing structures, proposed work, and the distances from the proposed work to property lines and other important site features.
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 Kingston review the proposed location, setbacks, septic bed and tank locations, pool edge clearances, equipment setbacks, fences, gates, easements, rights-of-way, retaining walls, and nearby structures when those items apply.
City of Kingston uses both "site plan" and "plot plan" in its permit guidance. For homeowner permit work, focus less on the label and more on making the drawing scaled, readable, and complete for the project type.
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, deck, stairs, shed, gazebo, garage, pool, fence, retaining wall, driveway, patio, or access door. |  Existing structures example |
| Proposed buildings and structures | New items you want approval for, such as a proposed deck, porch, pool, fence enclosure, shed, gazebo, or accessory structure. |  Proposed structures example |
| Dimensions | Measurements written directly on the drawing, including the size of the proposed work and distances to 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 |
| Plot plan | A term often used to mean the same thing as site plan. City of Kingston uses plot plan language for pool enclosure permits. |  Plot plan example |
Do you need a site plan?
You usually need a site plan when your City of Kingston project changes the outside of the property or adds a structure that must be located on the lot. City of Kingston specifically asks for a site plan for deck and porch permits. It also asks for a plot plan for pool enclosure permits, and accessory structure checklist material refers to a plot plan.
For a deck or porch, the site plan should show property lines, structures, septic bed and tank location where applicable, the deck, deck dimensions, and dimensions from the edge of the deck or stairs to each property line. City of Kingston says this can be hand drawn as long as it is clear, concise, and drawn to scale.
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Site plan requirements for building permits in City of Kingston
The exact City of Kingston requirements depend on the project, but a useful site plan usually includes:
- Property lines
- Existing structures on the property
- Proposed deck, porch, pool, shed, gazebo, or accessory structure
- Dimensions of the proposed work
- Dimensions from the edge of the proposed work to each property line
- Septic bed and tank location where applicable
- Existing and proposed fences when a pool enclosure is involved
- Self-closing and self-latching gate locations for pool enclosures
- Pool equipment location and equipment setbacks
- Easements, rights-of-way, and retaining walls when applicable
- Nearby buildings, decks, access doors, and climbable objects when they affect a pool enclosure
Use the City of Kingston checklist for your exact permit type. A deck site plan can stay focused on the deck, stairs, property lines, structures, and septic details. A pool enclosure plot plan needs more measurement and safety information.
Decks and porches
For a deck or porch, draw the property lines, existing structures, septic bed and tank location where applicable, the deck or porch, and the deck dimensions. Add dimensions from the edge of the deck or stairs to each property line.
City of Kingston allows this drawing to be hand drawn, but it must be clear, concise, and drawn to scale. Use written measurements rather than relying on visual proportions alone.
Pool enclosures
For a pool enclosure, include elevation drawings of the proposed and existing fence enclosures, plus a plot plan showing the pool and enclosure details.
Show measurements from property lines to the pool water's edge, pool decking distance to property lines, distance from the pool enclosure to the pool water's edge, distance from buildings, decks, and access doors to the pool edge, existing and proposed fences, self-closing and self-latching gates, mechanical pool equipment, climbable objects within 1.2 m outside the pool enclosure, easements, rights-of-way, retaining walls, and septic beds and tanks where applicable.
Accessory structures
For a shed, gazebo, or similar accessory structure, prepare a plot plan that locates the proposed structure on the property. If site plan approval or variance documents apply, include them with the permit package.
At minimum, show the property lines, existing structures, proposed structure location, proposed structure dimensions, distances to property lines, and septic features if they apply to the property.
(Without Survey) How to draw a site plan by hand for City of Kingston
City of Kingston's deck guidance expressly allows a hand-drawn site plan when it is clear, concise, and drawn to scale. This method is best for decks, porches, and simple accessory structures. For pool enclosure work, use a survey or carefully scaled plot plan when exact distances to pool edges, equipment, fences, gates, and property lines matter.
1. Draw the footprint of your house
Start by drawing the existing house. Keep the shape simple and large enough that you can add the deck, porch, pool, shed, gazebo, septic features, and setback dimensions.
House footprint drawn by hand
2. Draw your property boundary
Draw the property lines around the house. Use a ruler and choose a scale that fits the full lot on the page. Label the lines as property lines.
Property boundary drawn by hand
3. Draw the main street along your property
Add the street along the front of the property. If the property is on a corner, draw both streets.
Main street drawn on hand site plan
4. Label the rear of your property
Label the rear yard so the reviewer can quickly understand the orientation of the deck, porch, pool, or accessory structure.
Rear yard labeled on hand site plan
5. Draw existing and proposed structures
Add existing structures, then draw the proposed deck, porch, shed, gazebo, or pool work. For decks, include stairs if they are part of the project because City of Kingston asks for dimensions from the edge of the deck or stairs to each property line.
Existing and proposed structures drawn by hand
6. Measure setbacks, proposed, and existing structures
Write the dimensions of the proposed work and the distance from the edge of the deck, stairs, pool, or accessory structure to each property line. Add septic bed and tank locations when applicable.
Measurements added to hand-drawn site plan
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(With Survey) How to draw a site plan using a survey for City of Kingston
If you have a property survey, use it as the base for your City of Kingston site plan or plot plan. A survey is especially helpful when the project is close to a property line, when septic features matter, or when a pool enclosure requires several exact measurements.
If you do not have a survey, check your closing documents, ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company, or submit an MFIPPA Access/Correction request to the City of Kingston. 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, street, existing structures, setback measurements, easements, rights-of-way, retaining walls, and septic bed or tank information if shown.
For pool enclosure work, add the fence enclosure, gates, pool water's edge, pool decking, mechanical pool equipment, nearby buildings, decks, access doors, and climbable objects within 1.2 m outside the enclosure when they apply.
Survey details traced by hand
3. Draw your proposed structures and add measurements and setbacks
Draw the proposed deck, porch, pool, fence enclosure, shed, gazebo, or accessory structure. Label it clearly and write the dimensions.
For decks and porches, show the distance from the edge of the deck or stairs to each property line. For pool enclosures, add the required pool-edge, decking, enclosure, equipment, fence, gate, building, access-door, septic, easement, right-of-way, and retaining wall distances that apply to your property.
Proposed structures drawn on traced survey
Site plan examples for permit for City of Kingston
For a City of Kingston deck or porch permit, a good example is a scaled drawing that shows the property lines, structures, septic bed and tank location where applicable, deck shape, deck dimensions, and dimensions from the deck or stairs to every property line.
For a pool enclosure, the plot plan should be more detailed. It should show the pool water's edge, decking, enclosure, gates, fence locations, mechanical equipment, nearby buildings and doors, climbable objects, easements, rights-of-way, retaining walls, and septic features when they apply.
Your drawing does not need decorative detail. It needs to be scaled, legible, labelled, and specific enough that City of Kingston can review the location and clearances without guessing.
Common site plan mistakes that delay your building permit in City of Kingston
Most City of Kingston site plan delays come from drawings that are not to scale, missing property-line dimensions, or incomplete pool enclosure information.
Not drawing the plan to scale
City of Kingston's deck guidance says a hand-drawn site plan can work, but it must be drawn to scale. Pick a scale before you start and keep the house, property lines, deck, stairs, and other structures proportional.
Missing dimensions from the deck or stairs to property lines
For decks and porches, show the distance from the edge of the deck or stairs to each property line. Do not include only the deck size.
Missing septic details
If your property has a septic bed or tank, show the location. City of Kingston's deck and pool guidance both reference septic details where applicable.
Missing pool enclosure clearances
For a pool enclosure, include the distances from property lines to the pool water's edge, from pool decking to property lines, from the enclosure to the pool water's edge, from buildings, decks, and access doors to the pool edge, and from mechanical pool equipment to lot lines.
Missing gates, fences, or climbable objects
Show existing and proposed fences, self-closing and self-latching gates, and climbable objects within 1.2 m outside the pool enclosure. These details are part of the enclosure review, not optional decoration.
Frequently asked questions about site plans
Can homeowners prepare and submit their own drawings in City of Kingston?
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 Kingston also says a deck site plan can be hand drawn if it is clear, concise, and drawn to scale.
What if City of Kingston asks me to fill out Schedule 1: Designer Information?
For the design activities section, select House and describe the project, such as "deck," "porch," "pool enclosure," "shed," or "gazebo."
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 Kingston?
Start with your closing documents, then ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company. If those do not work, submit an MFIPPA Access/Correction request to the City of Kingston.
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 the site plan or plot plan so it shows current decks, stairs, pools, fences, gates, accessory structures, septic features, retaining walls, and proposed work.
Can I use Google Maps for my City of Kingston site plan?
Use Google Maps only as a planning reference. City of Kingston's deck guidance calls for a clear, concise drawing that is drawn to scale, and pool enclosure work needs specific measured clearances. A survey or carefully scaled drawing is a better base for the permit submission.
What if City of Kingston rejects my site plan?
Read the review comments and revise the drawing to answer each one. Add the missing scale, property-line dimensions, deck or stair setbacks, septic details, pool equipment distances, fence and gate information, easements, rights-of-way, retaining walls, or climbable-object notes that the reviewer requested.
When do I need a survey or professional drawing?
Use a survey when exact property lines matter, when the project is close to a lot line, when septic features affect the location, or when a pool enclosure requires detailed measured clearances. You may need professional help if the project is engineered, structurally complex, or outside the typical homeowner drawing scope.
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 Kingston.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Kingston. Get started