How to Draw a Site Plan for a Building Permit in City of Mississauga
Ilya Tkachov
Updated
If you are applying for a building permit in City of Mississauga, the site plan needs to do more than show where the project goes. City of Mississauga's residential permit guidance asks for a metric-scale drawing with the municipal address, legal description, dimensioned property lines, existing buildings, proposed construction, setbacks, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, hard surfaces, and project-specific site statistics.
This guide explains how to draw a site plan for a building permit in City of Mississauga for common homeowner projects, including accessory structures, garage conversions, additional residential units, below-grade entrances, decks, porches, balconies, basement work, garden suites, and residential exterior alterations.
What is a site plan?
Site plan definition
A site plan is a top-down drawing of your property. For City of Mississauga permit review, it should show the lot, the existing house and accessory structures, the proposed work, the property-line dimensions, and the measurements that prove the work fits on the property.
For a homeowner, a site plan for property answers the practical location questions: what is already on the lot, what is being changed, how large the proposed work is, and how far it is from the property lines. A site plan for a building permit helps City of Mississauga review setbacks, lot coverage, hard and soft landscaping, driveway dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, grading, parking, and other zoning or building-permit details.
Because City of Mississauga repeatedly asks for metric scale, dimensioned property lines, and a legal description, use a reliable survey, property records, or another accurate scaled base drawing for the final permit plan. Online maps can help with early planning, but they are not a substitute for a permit-ready site plan.
Common site plan terminology
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Setbacks | Distances from existing or proposed work to property lines. City of Mississauga asks for setbacks for structures, driveways, walkways, patios, pools, decks, and other project features depending on the permit type. |  Setback example |
| Existing buildings and structures | The house, porch, exterior stairs, accessory buildings, shed, garage, deck, pool, driveway, walkway, patio, or other feature already on the property. |  Existing structures example |
| Proposed buildings and structures | New work such as a proposed accessory structure, detached garage, deck, below-grade entrance, garden suite, exterior alteration, or converted garage area. |  Proposed structures example |
| Dimensions | Measurements written directly on the drawing, including property-line dimensions, overall building dimensions, driveway width, walkway attachment width, and project size. |  Site plan dimensions example |
| Lot lines or property lines | The legal edges of the property. City of Mississauga asks for dimensioned property lines and setbacks from those lines. |  Property line example |
| Easement | A legal right affecting part of the property, often for utilities, drainage, access, or servicing. City of Mississauga asks for rights-of-way and easements on the site plan. |  Easement example |
| Right-of-way | A legal right for access or use across part of a property. Show it when it affects the lot or proposed work. |  Right-of-way example |
| Lot grading | The shape and slope of the land. Some City of Mississauga projects need grading information, including established grade calculations and the points used for the calculation. |  Lot grading example |
Do you need a site plan?
You usually need a site plan for City of Mississauga residential permit projects that change the exterior of the property, add a structure, convert space in a way that affects parking or entrances, or require zoning review. City of Mississauga lists site plan requirements for accessory structures, additional residential unit conversions, garage conversions, below-grade entrances, decks, porches, balconies, finished basements, garden suites, and residential exterior alterations.
The site plan is especially important when the project affects setbacks, lot coverage, driveway width, walkway attachments, hard landscaped areas, soft landscaped areas, grading, parking, entrances, easements, rights-of-way, or the relationship between the house and accessory structures.
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Site plan requirements for building permits in City of Mississauga
The exact City of Mississauga requirements depend on the project type, but a residential site plan commonly needs:
- Metric scale
- North arrow
- Municipal address
- Legal description, including lot and plan numbers
- Dimensioned property lines
- Existing buildings and accessory structures labelled "existing"
- Proposed construction hatched and labelled "PROPOSED"
- Overall building dimensions
- Rights-of-way and easements
- Landscaped areas and hard surfaces, including driveways and walkways
- Setbacks from property lines to new structures or project features
- Site statistics, such as lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage, and what is included in coverage when required
- Driveway width, driveway setbacks, driveway surface treatment, and walkway attachment width when the project affects driveway or walkway review
- Grading information, established grade calculations, and grade points when required
Use the City of Mississauga permit page for your project type first. The same base plan can often be reused, but each project emphasizes different details.
Accessory structures, sheds, gazebos, and detached garages
For an accessory structure such as a shed, gazebo, or detached garage, show the proposed construction hatched and labelled "PROPOSED" in capital letters. Add metric scale, north arrow, municipal address, legal description, dimensioned property lines, existing buildings, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, hard surfaces, landscaped areas, setbacks from all property lines to all new structures, and site statistics.
City of Mississauga also asks for driveway and walkway details for this permit type, including driveway width, driveway setback to adjacent property lines, driveway surface treatment, and the width of any walkway attachment to the driveway. Where grading applies, include the established grade calculation and show the points used for established grade on the site plan.
Garage Site plan example in City of Mississauga
Additional residential unit conversions and garage conversions
For an additional residential unit conversion or garage conversion, the site plan should clearly show the house, porch, exterior stairs, accessory buildings, deck, pool, driveway, walkways, patios, entrances, setbacks, and dimensions.
Label entrances to the existing house, the proposed accessory apartment, and any secondary or other entrances. Show setbacks for the house, accessory buildings, deck, pool, driveway, walkways, and patios. Add property-line dimensions, driveway dimensions, and the interior dimensions of the garage when the project is a garage conversion. Review the zoning by-law parking requirements and indicate the applicable parking information in the site statistics.
Conversion Site plan example in City of Mississauga
Below-grade entrances
For a below-grade entrance, hatch the proposed entrance and label it "PROPOSED" in capital letters. Include the metric scale, north arrow, municipal address, legal description, dimensioned property lines, existing buildings and accessory structures, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, hard surfaces, and setbacks from all property lines to the proposed below-grade entrance.
Because below-grade entrances can affect side-yard space, stairs, drainage, and nearby hard surfaces, make the entrance location and dimensions easy to find.
Decks, porches, and balconies
For a deck, porch, or balcony, show the proposed construction hatched and labelled "PROPOSED." Add the metric scale, north arrow, municipal address, legal description, dimensioned property lines, existing buildings and accessory structures, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, hard surfaces, and setbacks from all property lines to new and existing structures.
City of Mississauga also asks for site statistics for this project type, including lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage in square metres and percent, and a breakdown of what is included in lot coverage.
Finished basements
For a finished basement, the site plan still needs the property context even though the work is inside the house. Show the metric scale, north arrow, municipal address, legal description, existing buildings and accessory structures labelled "existing," dimensioned property lines, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, and hard surfaces such as driveways and walkways.
Garden suites
For a garden suite, prepare a detailed site plan. Show the proposed construction hatched and labelled "PROPOSED" in capital letters, existing buildings and accessory structures, property-line dimensions, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, hard surfaces, and setbacks from all property lines to new and existing structures and encroachments such as porches, stairs, window wells, and decks.
Add the site statistics City of Mississauga asks for: lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage, gross floor area infill residential figure with floor-by-floor breakdown, garage area, driveway-yard area, and landscaped soft area of the yard where the driveway is located. Also include driveway width, driveway setbacks, driveway surface treatment, walkway attachment width, air conditioner location and setback, window well locations and setbacks, and dwelling unit depth.
Residential exterior alterations
For residential exterior alterations, show the proposed construction hatched and labelled "PROPOSED" in capital letters. Include the metric scale, north arrow, municipal address, legal description, existing buildings, accessory structures, dimensioned property lines, overall building dimensions, rights-of-way, easements, landscaped areas, hard surfaces, and setbacks from all property lines to the proposed alteration.
(With Survey) How to draw a site plan using a survey for City of Mississauga
For City of Mississauga, the final site plan should be based on accurate property information. A survey is the easiest starting point when you need legal property lines, dimensioned lot boundaries, easements, rights-of-way, existing building locations, and setbacks.
If you do not have a survey, look through your closing documents, ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company, or submit a Freedom of Information request to City of Mississauga. 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, street, north arrow, house footprint, existing accessory structures, driveway, walkways, patios, entrances, decks, pool, and other existing features that matter to your project.
Also trace or note any easements, rights-of-way, dimensioned property lines, and existing building dimensions shown on the survey. Leave room for the municipal address, legal description, site statistics, and project-specific notes beside the drawing.
Survey details traced by hand
3. Draw your proposed structures and add measurements and setbacks
Draw the proposed work on the survey copy or traced base. Hatch the proposed construction and label it "PROPOSED" so it matches City of Mississauga's permit guidance.
Write the overall dimensions of the proposed work and the required setbacks. For a deck, porch, balcony, below-grade entrance, exterior alteration, accessory structure, or garden suite, show the distances from the proposed work to the property lines. If the project affects a driveway, walkway, patio, pool, or entrance, add those measurements too.
Proposed structures drawn on traced survey
4. Add City of Mississauga's project-specific notes
Finish the plan by adding the details that match your permit type. For accessory structures, decks, porches, balconies, and garden suites, add lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage, and a breakdown of what is included in coverage when required. For driveway-related projects, add driveway width, driveway setbacks, surface treatment, and walkway attachment width.
For garden suites, add gross floor area, garage area, driveway-yard area, landscaped soft area, air conditioner location and setback, window well locations and setbacks, and dwelling unit depth. For additional residential units and garage conversions, add entrance labels and parking information in the site statistics.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Mississauga. Get started
Site plan examples for permit for City of Mississauga
City of Mississauga provides local site plan examples for an accessory structure or detached garage and for additional residential unit or garage conversion work. Use the example closest to your project and copy the level of detail, not the sample dimensions.
The garage example is useful for accessory structures because it shows how to organize proposed construction, setbacks, property information, site statistics, driveway details, hard surfaces, landscaping, and grading notes.
Garage Site plan example in City of Mississauga
The conversion example is useful when the project affects entrances, parking, garage dimensions, driveway information, and the relationship between the house, accessory buildings, decks, pools, walkways, patios, and property lines.
Conversion Site plan example in City of Mississauga
Common site plan mistakes that delay your building permit in City of Mississauga
Most City of Mississauga site plan delays come from missing property information, missing metric dimensions, or leaving out the project-specific details listed on the permit page.
Missing metric scale or legal property information
City of Mississauga's site plan checklists repeatedly ask for metric scale, municipal address, legal description, and dimensioned property lines. Add the lot and plan numbers, keep the drawing scaled, and make the property boundary dimensions visible.
Forgetting to label existing and proposed work
Label existing buildings and accessory structures as "existing." Hatch the new work and label it "PROPOSED" when City of Mississauga asks for that format. The reviewer should not have to infer which part of the drawing is new.
Missing setbacks
Setbacks are central to the review. Add dimensions from the proposed work to the relevant property lines. For projects such as additional residential unit conversions, garage conversions, decks, pools, driveways, walkways, and patios, show the setbacks that match the project type.
Leaving out hard surfaces, landscaped areas, or driveway details
Show driveways, walkways, patios, and landscaped areas when the permit guide asks for them. For accessory structures and garden suites, include driveway width, driveway setbacks to adjacent property lines, driveway surface treatment, and walkway attachment width where applicable.
Missing site statistics
For projects that require site statistics, add lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage in square metres and percent, and the breakdown of what is included in coverage. For garden suites and conversions, add the extra statistics City of Mississauga asks for, including parking, floor-area, garage-area, driveway-yard, and landscaped-soft-area information when relevant.
Treating grading as optional when the checklist asks for it
Accessory structures and some larger residential projects may need grading information, including an established grade calculation and the points used for the calculation. Put those notes on the site plan instead of waiting for a review comment.
Frequently asked questions about site plans
Can homeowners prepare and submit their own drawings in City of Mississauga?
Yes. In Ontario, homeowners 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 Mississauga can still require the site plan to be scaled, dimensioned, complete, and detailed enough for permit review.
What if City of Mississauga asks me to fill out Schedule 1: Designer Information?
For "Design activities undertaken by individual identified in Section B," select House. In the description, enter the actual project, such as "deck," "porch," "below-grade entrance," "garage conversion," "accessory structure," or "garden suite."
Under "Declaration of Designer," choose The design work is exempt from the registration and qualification requirements of the Building Code. For "Basis for exemption from registration and qualification," write Homeowner.
Where can I get a legal property survey in City of Mississauga?
Start with your closing documents, then ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company. If you still cannot find one, submit a Freedom of Information request to City of Mississauga for available records.
Read our Ontario ultimate guide for getting a property survey before ordering a new survey.
Does my survey need to be recent?
An older Ontario Land Surveyor survey can still be useful if it accurately shows the property boundaries and existing conditions. Update the site plan so it reflects the property today, including current accessory structures, driveways, walkways, patios, entrances, pools, window wells, air conditioner locations, hard surfaces, landscaped areas, and the proposed work.
If the survey does not match the current property or the project depends on exact setbacks, ask City of Mississauga what it will accept before submitting.
Can I use Google Maps for my City of Mississauga site plan?
Use Google Maps only for private planning. It can help you understand the lot layout before you draw, but City of Mississauga's permit checklists call for metric scale, legal description, dimensioned property lines, setbacks, and other details that an online map screenshot does not provide reliably.
What if City of Mississauga rejects my site plan?
Read the review comments and revise the drawing to answer each one directly. Common fixes include adding the metric scale, legal description, dimensioned property lines, north arrow, existing and proposed labels, setbacks, site statistics, driveway details, grading notes, hard surfaces, landscaped areas, easements, rights-of-way, entrance labels, or parking information.
When do I need a professional drawing?
You may need professional help when the project is structural, engineered, complex, tied to grading or drainage, close to a property line or easement, or when City of Mississauga specifically requires a qualified professional. For the property-location part of the package, start with accurate property information and the City of Mississauga checklist for your project type.
Conclusion
A good beginner site plan for City of Mississauga is a clear metric drawing that shows the property, existing conditions, proposed work, setbacks, hard surfaces, landscaped areas, rights-of-way, easements, and the project-specific statistics required for your building permit. Start from reliable property information, label the proposed work clearly, and make every required measurement easy for the reviewer to find.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your building permit approved in City of Mississauga. Get started