How to Draw a Site Plan for a Building Permit in Collingwood
Ilya Tkachov
Updated
If you are applying for a residential permit in Town of Collingwood, the site plan is the drawing that shows where the proposed work will be located on your property. Town of Collingwood asks for site plans for garages, sheds, decks, porches, and swimming pool enclosures.
This guide explains how to draw a site plan for a residential permit in Town of Collingwood, what details to include for common projects, and how to make the drawing clear enough for permit review.
New to site plans?
If this is your first one, read what a site plan is and why you need one in Ontario first. It covers how a site plan differs from a survey, a floor plan and an elevation, what setbacks and easements actually mean, and why municipalities ask for the drawing at all. Then come back here for what Town of Collingwood expects on top of that.
Two Town of Collingwood habits are worth knowing before you start drawing: the Town asks for the height above ground on deck and porch plans, not just the footprint, and it asks for septic distances whenever the house is on a private septic system.
Do you need a site plan?
You usually need a site plan when your project adds or changes something outside the house. In Town of Collingwood, local guidance specifically asks for site plans for garages and sheds, decks and porches, and swimming pool enclosures. Read the Town's page for your project type alongside this one.
For garages and sheds, Town of Collingwood asks for a site plan showing the location of the addition and existing buildings, plus setbacks to property lines. For decks and porches, the site plan should show the proposed deck location, setbacks from property lines, and height above ground. For swimming pool enclosures, the site plan should show the proposed pool and fence location with setbacks from property lines.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your residential permit approved in Town of Collingwood. Get started
Site plan requirements for residential permits in Town of Collingwood
The exact Town of Collingwood requirements depend on the project, but a useful site plan usually includes:
- Property lines
- Existing house and existing buildings
- Proposed garage, shed, deck, porch, pool, or fence location
- Dimensions of the proposed work
- Setbacks from the proposed work to property lines
- Height above ground for decks and porches
- Pool fence location for swimming pool enclosures
- Septic distances if the house is served by a private septic system
If your house uses a private septic system, Town of Collingwood asks you to show all distances from the proposed deck or proposed pool. Add the septic tank, septic bed, and the distances that explain how the project relates to them.
Garages and sheds
For garages and sheds, show the proposed structure location, the existing building or buildings, and setbacks to property lines.
Site plan example in Town of Collingwood
Use the Town of Collingwood sample as a format guide, but make sure your drawing matches your lot, existing buildings, and proposed structure.
Decks and porches
For a deck or porch, show the proposed deck location, setbacks from property lines, and height above ground. If the deck connects to the house, show the wall or entrance it connects to.
If the house is served by a private septic system, show all distances from the proposed deck.
Swimming pool enclosures
For a swimming pool enclosure, show the proposed pool location, the proposed fence location, and setbacks from property lines. If the house is served by a private septic system, show all distances from the proposed pool.
How to draw your Town of Collingwood site plan
The quickest route is to create a site plan with HomeCat — walk your property with your phone and get a permit-ready drawing back, free.
If you would rather draw it yourself, our DIY guide to drawing a site plan in Ontario covers all three methods step by step: from a survey, from a Google Maps screenshot, or by hand.
Town of Collingwood does not require a survey for a straightforward garage, shed, deck, porch, or pool enclosure, so a Google Maps screenshot or a hand-drawn plan is usually enough for a first submission. Neither one shows legal property lines, though, so use the survey when the proposed work sits close to a lot line, when septic distances matter, or when the lot shape is irregular enough that an approximate boundary would mislead the reviewer.
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 Town of Collingwood. Our guide to getting a property survey in Ontario covers the cheaper options before paying for a new one.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your residential permit approved in Town of Collingwood. Get started
Site plan examples for permit for Town of Collingwood
Town of Collingwood provides a sample site plan for garages and sheds. Use it as a format guide for showing existing buildings, the proposed structure, and setbacks.
Site plan example in Town of Collingwood
For decks, porches, and pool enclosures, follow the same basic structure and add the project-specific details: deck height above ground, pool fence location, and septic distances when applicable.
Common site plan mistakes that delay your residential permit in Town of Collingwood
Most site plan delays come from missing location or setback information.
Missing existing buildings
For garages and sheds, show the existing building or buildings on the property. The reviewer needs to understand how the proposed structure relates to what is already there.
Missing setback measurements
Add setbacks from the proposed work to property lines. This is required for garages, sheds, decks, porches, and swimming pool enclosures.
Missing deck height above ground
For decks and porches, include the height above ground. Do not submit only a top-down footprint if the project guidance asks for height information too.
Missing septic distances
If the house is served by a private septic system, show all distances from the proposed deck or proposed pool. Add the septic system location if it affects the project.
Frequently asked questions about site plans
Can homeowners prepare and submit their own drawings in Town of Collingwood?
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). Town of Collingwood can still require drawings detailed enough for permit review.
What if Town of Collingwood asks me to fill out Schedule 1: Designer Information?
For the design activities section, select House and describe the project, such as "garage," "shed," "deck," "porch," 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 Town of Collingwood?
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 Town of Collingwood.
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 buildings, decks, sheds, pools, fences, septic features, and proposed work.
What if Town of Collingwood rejects my site plan?
Read the review comments and revise the drawing to answer each one. Add missing setbacks, existing buildings, proposed work dimensions, deck height, pool fence location, or septic distances as requested.
When do I need a survey or professional drawing?
Use a survey when the project is close to a property line, when septic distances matter, or when the lot shape is unclear. You may need professional help when the project is structural, engineered, complex, or when Town of Collingwood 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 residential permit in Town of Collingwood.
Create a site plan for free using HomeCat that gets your residential permit approved in Town of Collingwood. Get started
