The Short Answer
Free options for getting a site plan — county records, GIS viewers, and generic drawing tools — are useful for research but rarely accepted for permit submissions. To get a permit-ready site plan, you need a drawing that shows property lines, setbacks, existing structures, and proposed work to scale.
What "Free" Actually Gets You
1. County or City Records
What you get: Official plat maps and property records
What you don't get: A current drawing of your property with proposed work
Works for a permit? ❌ No — historical records only
2. County GIS Viewers
What you get: An interactive map showing property boundaries
What you don't get: A printable, scaled drawing with your proposed project
Works for a permit? ❌ No — GIS viewers are for reference only
3. Generic Drawing Tools (Canva, etc.)
What you get: A blank canvas to draw shapes on
What you don't get: Property lines from your address, setbacks, or any property data
Works for a permit? ❌ No — they're not built for permits
4. Old Closing Documents
What you get: Whatever was in your closing packet
What you don't get: A current plan showing your proposed changes
Works for a permit? ❌ No — reference only
5. Free Trial of Site Plan Software
What you get: Limited access to a site plan tool
What you don't get: Full features, PDF export, or unlimited use
Works for a permit? ⚠️ Maybe — if the free trial allows full export
What Actually Gets You a Permit
Our Site Plan Creator (Free for Your First Plan)
What you get:
- Address-first property lines
- Bearings and distances on every property line
- One-click setbacks and ROW
- Professional title block with your name
- Permit-ready PDF export
No Drafting Skills Needed 80% of Site Plan is Autogenerated
Works for a permit? ✅ Yes — in most cities for small residential projects
Cost: $0 for your first plan (3 address lookups, 5 PDF exports)
Done-for-You Plan
What you get:
- Non-certified, permit-ready plan
- Reviewed by a professional
- 24-hour delivery
Cost: $89 - 259$
What About Free General-Purpose Drawing Tools?
Canva and other free design tools are great for creating visuals, but they lack critical features for permit-ready site plans:
- No property data from address
- No bearings and distances
- No setbacks
- No ROW
- No contours
- No permit-specific title block
As one expert put it: "There is no free site plan that will pass planning validation. Free tools are useful for understanding your site but are not accepted by councils".
What "Free" Costs You in Time
Using a free but inadequate tool often costs you more in the long run:
| Scenario | Time Lost |
|---|---|
| Submitting a GIS screenshot | Rejected instantly — resubmit with proper plan |
| Drawing on a blank canvas | Hours of manual work, likely missing required elements |
| Using a free trial that blocks export | Time wasted, still need to pay or start over |
| Getting rejected for missing details | 1-4 weeks of delay while you revise and resubmit |
The Smart Way: Free + Permit-Ready
Our site plan creator gives you a free, permit-ready site plan — not a research tool, not a blank canvas, but a real site plan designed for building department review.
Create Your Free Site Plan Now
FAQ
Q: Can I get a free site plan that passes permit review?
A: Free options from county records or generic tools rarely pass permit review. Our site plan creator gives you a free, permit-ready plan designed for building departments.
Q: Is there a truly free site plan tool?
A: Yes — our site plan creator is free for your first plan (3 address lookups, 5 PDF exports). No credit card required.
Q: What's the cheapest way to get a permit-ready site plan?
A: Our site plan creator — free for your first plan. If you need a done-for-you plan, SitePlans.us starts at $89.
Q: Can I use Google Maps as a site plan?
A: No. Google Maps is not a site plan. It doesn't show property lines, setbacks, or the required details for permit review.
Q: What if I need a survey but want to save money?
A: Start with our site plan creator for the site plan. If your city requires a survey, you'll need a licensed surveyor.