WHAT IS A SITE PLAN?
A site plan is a diagram meant to show proposed and existing improvements to a property. A site plan is important because it also includes information in regards to the physical characteristics, features, and uses of a property. The main purpose is to show the exact way the intended land use relates to the features of a parcel and its surrounding area. A site plan should show what already exists, in addition to presenting what is being proposed.
One of the most important features of a site plan is to show the relationship between what already exists, and what it is that you are planning to do. A site plan is used to ensure that local and state codes are adhered to when it comes to making changes and additions to a specific property, and are retained for historical records.
PREPARING A SITE PLAN
One of the first steps in planning a project is the development of an accurate site plan. And, to develop an accurate site plan requires a certain amount of pre-planning and information gathering. The following is a list of recommended information to obtain to assist in preparing a site plan.
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- A legal description of the land on which you plan to develop.
- A record of survey or a plat map of the parcel, drawn to scale if possible.
- Permit history for affected the properties.
- The size, location, and use of all easements recorded against the property.
- Location of underground and overhead utilities. These could include sewer, water, electric, etc.
- Name and/or number of adjacent streets, roads, or highways, and location and size of the rights of way.
- Zoning. Limitations on land use, allowable uses and structures, minimum yard requirements, etc.
- Critical Areas - wetlands, rivers, creeks, streams, steep slopes, erosion or land slide hazard areas, flood zones, habitat areas, etc.
- Proposed location of new structure(s) on the property.
- Location of existing structures - above and below ground.
- Assigned physical address(es).
CERTIFIED VS NON-CERTIFIED
A site plan may be certified or non-certified. A non-certified site plan is one that is created by a property owner, contractor, or landscaper. It is a drawing where the accuracy and dimensions are verified by the property owner. A certified site plan is one that is prepared and stamped by an architect, engineer, surveyor, or other professional. Grays Harbor County (GHC) accepts both certified and non-certified site plans.
SERVICES
Grays Harbor County does not provide site plan services. If a historical site plan of record exists, these may be provided upon request. Should you need assistance preparing a site plan, please contact a consultant in the private sector, a contractor, title company, architect, engineer, surveyor, etc.
SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
The site plan may be prepared electronically or by hand, certified or non-certified, and meet the following standards:
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- Scale.
- North arrow.
- All property boundary lines and dimensions.
- Footprint of existing and proposed structures (example: house, barn, shop, shed, etc.) including dimensions from property lines. Label each structure.
- Easements or Rights-of-Way.
- Location of all existing and proposed utilities (well, springs, septic, drain field, reserve area, sewer lines, water lines).
- Property features including slopes, streams, ravines, wetlands, rivers, etc.
- Arrows showing direction of slope(s). Assume an elevation of 100 feet at one lot corner and indicate the other lot corner elevations to it.
- Areas to be cleared, graded, excavated, or otherwise disturbed.
SITE PLAN EXAMPLES
ACREAGE PARCELS | PLATTED PARCELS |
HELPFUL RESOURCES
- Blank Site Plan
- Permit History Search
- Parcel Search
- Recorded Documents Search
- Property Development Process
- Critical Areas
- Apply Now!
- Map Services
- FEMA's National Flood Hazard Viewer
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Wetlands Mapper
- WA DNR Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool
FAQ's
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Grays Harbor County
Planning and Building Division