How to Draw a Site Plan for a Residential Building Permit in City of Barrie
Ilya Tkachov
Updated
If you are applying for a residential building permit in City of Barrie, the site plan is the drawing that shows where the work will happen on your property. City of Barrie asks for site plans on several common applications, including decks, porches, sheds, detached garages, gazebos, additional residential units, second suites, and pool enclosures.
This guide explains how to draw a site plan for a residential building permit in City of Barrie, what details to include for common projects, and when a survey or more detailed grading information may be needed.
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 lot, existing buildings and structures, proposed work, streets, and the measurements 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 residential building permit helps City of Barrie check the proposed location, setbacks, parking, landscaped areas, access paths, grading, easements, and nearby structures when those details apply.
City of Barrie permit guidance says drawings should be to scale, dimensioned, and detailed enough to describe the full extent of the proposed work.
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, shed, detached garage, gazebo, pool, parking space, or entrance. |  Proposed structures example |
| Dimensions | Measurements written directly on the drawing, including structure sizes, driveway dimensions, parking space dimensions, and setbacks. |  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 |
| Swale | A shallow drainage channel that moves stormwater across the property toward a street, ditch, catch basin, or other drainage area. |  Swale example |
| Lot grading | The shape and slope of the land that controls where water drains on the property. |  Lot grading example |
Do you need a site plan?
You usually need a site plan when your project adds or changes something outside the house, changes the use of space on the lot, or needs zoning review. City of Barrie specifically lists site plan requirements for decks and porches, sheds and detached garages, gazebos, pool enclosures, additional residential units, and second suites.
For a deck or porch, the site plan should show the property lines, dwelling dimensions, deck or stair location, accessory structures, setbacks, and the fronting street. For sheds, detached garages, and gazebos, City of Barrie asks for the project address, property lines, streets, driveway details, existing structures, proposed structure dimensions, setbacks, distance to the dwelling, and service trench details if applicable.
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Site plan requirements for residential building permits in City of Barrie
The exact City of Barrie requirements depend on the project, but a useful site plan usually includes:
- Property lines and dimensions
- Lot area or statistics table when required
- Existing house, decks, sheds, garages, pools, and other structures
- Fronting street and adjacent streets for corner lots
- Proposed work, labelled clearly
- Length, width, height, area, and other key dimensions
- Setbacks from the proposed work to property lines
- Distances to other buildings or structures
- Driveway, parking spaces, landscaped areas, access paths, and entrances when relevant
- Existing and proposed grades, elevations, swales, sump pump discharge outlets, or drainage patterns when required
- Easements, pool enclosure details, or service trench details when they apply
Use the City of Barrie checklist for your project first. If the checklist asks for grading, parking, services, or drainage information, add those items directly to the drawing instead of submitting only a simple property outline.
Decks and porches
For decks and porches, City of Barrie asks for property lines and dimensions, dwelling exterior dimensions, the uncovered deck location including stairs, all accessory structures and their area, setbacks from property lines to the deck and stairs, and the fronting street.
Deck site plan example for City of Barrie
Show the deck connection to the house, stairs, nearby accessory structures, and all setback measurements clearly.
Sheds, detached garages, and gazebos
For sheds, detached garages, and gazebos, City of Barrie asks for the project address, property lines, fronting streets, driveway and width for garages to the rear yard, existing decks, sheds, pools, and other structures, exterior dimensions for existing structures, proposed structure dimensions and area, side and rear yard setbacks, distance to the dwelling, and service trench location and type of services if applicable.
Sheds/Detached Garages site plan example for City of Barrie
Additional residential units and second suites
For an additional residential unit or second suite, the site plan may need more zoning and servicing detail. City of Barrie guidance refers to the location of the ARU, existing and proposed buildings and structures, required parking spaces with dimensions, landscaped areas, access paths, entrances, driveway length and width, and setbacks.
Where the project includes a new below grade basement entry, add existing and proposed grades or elevations, swales with direction and slope, sump pump discharge outlet location, underside of footing, top of foundation wall, high water table if known, finished floor elevations, first floor elevation, and garage floor elevation when required.
Pool enclosures
For pool enclosures, City of Barrie asks for lot lines, dwelling location, pool location relative to property lines, pool enclosure location and construction, easements, and existing and proposed grades and drainage patterns. City of Barrie notes that pools and spas or hot tubs cannot be constructed on easements.
Pool Enclosure site plan example for City of Barrie
Show the pool, fence or enclosure, drainage arrows, grades if required, and any easements before submitting.
(Without Survey) How to draw a site plan using the Google Maps method for City of Barrie
The Google Maps method can help you make a first draft when the project is simple and City of Barrie has not required a survey or detailed grading plan. It is best for organizing the house, street, driveway, and proposed work before you prepare the final drawing.
Google Maps does not show legal property lines. If your project is close to a lot line, easement, drainage feature, service trench, or regulated area, 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 existing structures that matter to the project, such as decks, sheds, pools, garages, driveways, patios, and fences. Label each one as existing.
Existing structures added to site plan
7. Draw proposed structures
Draw the proposed work on top of the screenshot. Label it clearly, such as "proposed deck," "proposed shed," "proposed detached garage," "proposed pool," "proposed parking space," or "proposed entrance."
Proposed structures added to site plan
8. Measure setbacks, proposed, and existing structures
Add the proposed work dimensions and setbacks to the closest property lines. For City of Barrie, add project-specific measurements too, such as driveway width, parking stall dimensions, distance to the dwelling, stairs, grades, drainage arrows, or service trench location when required.
Canada-based metric example:
Canada-based site plan measurements
(Without Survey) How to draw a site plan by hand for City of Barrie
You can draw a simple City of Barrie site plan by hand when the project does not require a survey-based or engineered drawing. Use a ruler, write measurements clearly, and keep the drawing to scale or as close as practical for the permit type.
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. Label each side as a property line. If the boundary is approximate, write "approximate property line."
Property boundary drawn by hand
3. Draw the main street along your property
Draw the fronting street and write the street name. If the property is on a corner, show the adjacent street too.
Main street drawn on hand site plan
4. Label the rear of your property
Label the rear yard or back of the property so setbacks and yard locations are easy to understand.
Rear yard labeled on hand site plan
5. Draw existing and proposed structures
Add existing structures, then draw and label the proposed work. Include decks, sheds, garages, pools, driveways, parking spaces, stairs, and entrances when they affect the project.
Existing and proposed structures drawn by hand
6. Measure setbacks, proposed, and existing structures
Write the proposed work size and setbacks directly on the drawing. Add driveway, parking, grade, swale, drainage, service trench, or pool enclosure notes when the City of Barrie checklist calls for them.
Measurements added to hand-drawn site plan
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your residential building permit approved in City of Barrie. Get started
(With Survey) How to draw a site plan using a survey for City of Barrie
If you have a property survey, use it as the base for your City of Barrie site plan. A survey is useful 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 lawyer or mortgage company, or submit a Freedom of Information request to the City of Barrie. 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 any drainage features, swales, grades, utilities, or service locations that affect the project.
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. Add setbacks to property lines and distances to existing buildings or structures.
For ARUs, second suites, pools, and projects with grading requirements, add the extra checklist information directly on the survey-based drawing.
Proposed structures drawn on traced survey
Site plan examples for permit for City of Barrie
City of Barrie provides local examples for decks, accessory buildings, and pool enclosures. Use the example that matches your project type and copy the level of detail, not the sample measurements.
Deck site plan example for City of Barrie
Sheds/Detached Garages site plan example for City of Barrie
Pool Enclosure site plan example for City of Barrie
Common site plan mistakes that delay your residential building permit in City of Barrie
Most site plan delays come from missing location, measurement, or grading information.
Missing existing structures
Show the existing house and nearby structures, not only the proposed work. For City of Barrie accessory structures, include existing decks, sheds, pools, and garages when they affect the layout.
Missing setback measurements
Add setbacks from the proposed work to the property lines. For decks, include setbacks from the deck and stairs. For sheds and detached garages, include side and rear yard setbacks and the distance to the dwelling.
Missing parking, access, or driveway details
For additional residential units and second suites, add required parking spaces with dimensions, driveway length and width, landscaped areas, access paths, and entrances when they apply.
Missing grading or drainage details
For pool enclosures, below grade entrances, and other projects where City of Barrie asks for grades or swales, show existing and proposed grades, drainage patterns, swale direction and slope, and sump pump discharge outlet location when required.
Frequently asked questions about site plans
Can homeowners prepare and submit their own drawings in City of Barrie?
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). The drawings still need to be to scale, dimensioned, and detailed enough for permit review.
What if City of Barrie asks me to fill out Schedule 1: Designer Information?
For the design activities section, select House and describe the project, such as "deck," "shed," "garage," "second suite," or "pool enclosure."
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 Barrie?
Start with your closing documents, then ask your real estate lawyer, closing agent, or mortgage company. If those do not work, you can submit a Freedom of Information request to the City of Barrie.
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 the property boundaries and existing conditions. Update the site plan so it reflects current structures, driveways, grading, and proposed work.
What if City of Barrie rejects my site plan?
Read the review comments and revise the drawing to answer each one. Add missing setbacks, dimensions, parking details, grading notes, drainage arrows, or existing structures as requested.
When do I need a survey or professional drawing?
Use a survey when the lot shape is unclear, setbacks are tight, easements matter, or the project depends on exact property-line measurements. You may need professional help for engineered work, complex grading, high water table or foundation details, or anything City of Barrie specifically requires to be certified.
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 residential building permit in City of Barrie.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your residential building permit approved in City of Barrie. Get started