# Alpharetta Site Plans Have a 1″=40′ Minimum Scale and a Tree Survey Requirement — Here's the Full Checklist
Alpharetta's Inspections Division doesn't leave much to interpretation. The city publishes a formal Residential Individual Lot Site Plan Requirements checklist, and every item on it is required — not optional, not "where applicable." The plan review clock starts at 10 days from submission, but only if your application is complete. Incomplete submissions don't get a partial review; they get kicked back.
Here's what the checklist actually requires — and the three items that cause most first-submission rejections.
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The Three Items That Get Alpharetta Plans Rejected on First Submission
1. Scale too small. Alpharetta's minimum scale is 1 inch equals 40 feet. A 1″=50′ or 1″=60′ plan is not compliant. State the scale explicitly in the title block. The site plan creator defaults to compliant scale output — verify before export.
2. Missing tree survey. Every tree 6 inches and over in diameter at breast height (DBH) within the limits of disturbance must be identified and shown on the plan. All specimen trees within 30 feet of the limits of disturbance must also be shown, even if outside the disturbance zone. Trees proposed for removal must be marked with an "X." This is not optional for any project that involves any soil disturbance.
3. No impervious area calculation. The plan must show the total square footage of all impervious surfaces — building footprint, structures, driveway — and the total as a percentage of lot area. This is a stormwater compliance requirement. Leave it off and the plan is incomplete.
Get these three right on the first submission and plan review moves on its 10-day schedule.
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Does Your Alpharetta Project Need a Permit?
| Project | Permit Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shed under 100 sq ft | No | City-specific exemption |
| Shed 100–200 sq ft, no utilities | No | Georgia State Code exemption |
| Shed over 200 sq ft or with utilities | Yes | Full site plan required |
| Fence under 6 ft (rear/side yard) | Often no permit — but site plan still needed for OTC review | Over-the-counter, may be same-day |
| Fence over 6 ft or front yard | Yes | Permit + site plan |
| Deck (attached, any size) | Yes | Site plan required |
| Deck (freestanding, elevated) | Yes | Site plan required |
| Pool | Yes | Full site plan with barriers |
| Detached garage | Yes | Full site plan |
| Addition | Yes | Full site plan including topography |
| Retaining wall over 4 ft revealed height | Yes | Sealed GA P.E. structural design required |
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The Full Alpharetta Site Plan Checklist
This is what the Inspections Division requires on every residential individual lot site plan:
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Address and/or lot number | Subdivision name and project address |
| Site boundary survey | With north arrow; minimum scale 1″=40′ |
| All street names and ROW | Street names, widths, right-of-way locations |
| Total lot area | In acres and square feet |
| Limits of disturbance | All areas where work occurs; total disturbed acreage labeled |
| Existing and proposed improvements | Sidewalks, curb/gutter, driveway, building footprint, all structures |
| Impervious area | Total sq ft of building + structures + driveway |
| Zoning and stream buffers | Shown and labeled with square footage |
| Drainage and utility easements | Labeled with square footage; top and invert elevations of structures |
| Existing/proposed topography | 1-ft intervals under 2% slope; 2-ft intervals over 2% |
| Sewer and water connections | Existing and proposed location |
| Floodplain | Show and label elevation if applicable |
| Erosion control plan | Measures and locations shown |
| Tree survey | All trees 6″+ DBH within limits of disturbance; specimen trees within 30 ft of LOD |
| Tree protection plan | Orange tree save fence at 1.3 ft per diameter inch from trunk |
Sheet size: 17″ × 22″ minimum, 48″ × 36″ maximum.
Retaining walls over 4 feet: Structural design must be signed, sealed, and dated by a Georgia P.E. A separate building permit is required.
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Alpharetta Setbacks
Setbacks are governed by Alpharetta's Unified Development Code and vary by zoning district. Typical residential ranges:
| Yard | Typical Setback |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 25 – 50 ft |
| Side yard | 5 – 10 ft |
| Rear yard | 15 – 30 ft |
| Utility easements | 10 ft (common in many Alpharetta subdivisions) |
Always verify your specific district at the Inspections Division before drawing setback lines. Alpharetta has had variance requests to reduce front setbacks from 35′ to 25′ in some districts — your zoning district determines what applies to your lot.
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What Needs a Site Plan — Project by Project
| Project | What to Show | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Property lines, fence line, height, setbacks; OTC possible for under-6-ft rear/side | |
| Shed | Property lines, footprint, setbacks, tree survey where applicable | |
| Deck | Property lines, deck footprint, height above grade, setbacks, tree survey | |
| Patio | Property lines, patio boundary, impervious area impact | |
| Pool | Property lines, pool and equipment pad, barrier dimensions, setbacks, tree survey | |
| Garage | Property lines, garage footprint, driveway, ROW, setbacks, impervious area | |
| ADU | Full checklist — footprint, parking, setbacks, topography, impervious area | |
| Addition | Full checklist — existing + addition footprints, topography, impervious area |
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Why Alpharetta Is Different from Neighboring Cities
Alpharetta vs. Roswell: Both North Fulton cities with strict tree preservation rules. Alpharetta's tree survey threshold is 6 inches DBH. Roswell's kicks in at 14 inches DBH for lots over 0.5 acres — meaningfully different. A plan that works in Roswell won't automatically satisfy Alpharetta's tree documentation requirement.
Alpharetta vs. Johns Creek: Johns Creek uses a Simple/Full track system. Alpharetta has one checklist — everything on it is required for every site plan, regardless of project type. There is no simplified track for accessory structures.
Alpharetta vs. Sandy Springs: Sandy Springs requires a Georgia-registered architect or engineer seal on building plans (unless exempted). Alpharetta does not require a professional seal on the site plan itself for standard residential projects — but does require a P.E. seal on structural designs for retaining walls over 4 feet.
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How the Site Plan Creator Handles Alpharetta Plans
- Enter your Alpharetta address. Fulton County parcel data populates — property lines, bearings, distances, and street names auto-generate.
- Set scale to 1″=40′ or larger. The tool defaults to a compliant scale. Verify the scale notation in the title block before export.
- Flag tree locations. Use the annotation layer to mark 6″+ DBH trees within your disturbance area. The tool provides the base parcel geometry; you add tree locations from a physical site walk.
- Add impervious area calculation. The tool calculates existing impervious surface from the building footprint layer. Add any new impervious areas (deck, driveway extension, shed pad) to get your total and percentage.
- Export at 17″×22″ minimum. Verify sheet size before submitting to the Alpharetta Permitting Portal.
The tree survey and topographic data require on-site verification — the tool generates the base plan geometry, but tree positions and contour confirmation should be done in the field before submission.
Read how to edit your title sheet to add your project description, permit number, and preparer information. If label positions need adjustment after adding tree annotations, see the label adjustment guide.
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Comparison Table
| Method | Cost | Time | Tree Survey? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drawn (hand) | Free | Half-day | Manual | Difficult to meet 1″=40′ exactly without tools |
| Site plan creator | Free (first plan) | 20 – 45 min | Manual annotation | Parcel data auto-loads; scale-compliant output; add tree positions from field walk |
| Done-for-you (SitePlans.us) | Contact for pricing | 1 – 2 business days | Human-reviewed | Best for full-checklist complexity or corrections |
| Licensed drafter | \$400 – \$800+ | 1 – 2 weeks | Usually included | Higher cost; adds calendar time |
| Licensed surveyor + drafter | \$1,200 – \$3,000+ | 2 – 4 weeks | Yes | Required for boundary disputes or complex sites |
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Common Alpharetta Site Plan Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Scale smaller than 1″=40′ | Correction letter | Set tool to 1″=40′ or larger; note in title block |
| Tree survey missing | Correction letter | Walk the site, mark all trees 6″+ DBH within LOD |
| No impervious area calc | Plan returned as incomplete | Calculate total sq ft: building + driveway + all structures |
| Specimen trees within 30 ft not shown | Correction | Survey specimen trees within 30 ft of LOD, even outside disturbance zone |
| Sheet smaller than 17″×22″ | Flagged on completeness check | Verify export dimensions before upload |
| Topography missing | Correction letter | Add contours at 1-ft intervals (under 2% slope) or 2-ft (over 2%) |
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What This Doesn't Replace
The site plan creator generates preliminary, conceptual drawings for residential permit projects where Alpharetta allows homeowner- or contractor-prepared plans. It is not a licensed land survey, a sealed engineering drawing, or a GA P.E.-stamped document. Retaining walls over 4 feet and other elements requiring a professional engineer's seal must still engage a licensed P.E. independently. Final permit approval is at the sole discretion of the Alpharetta Inspections Division.
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Local Resources
- City of Alpharetta Inspections Division — 678-297-6080
- Alpharetta Permitting Portal
- Fulton County GIS
- Georgia DCA — State Building Codes
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Nearby Cities in North Fulton
Each of these cities has its own site plan requirements — don't assume Alpharetta's checklist carries over:
- Roswell, GA site plan
- Johns Creek, GA site plan
- Milton, GA site plan
- Sandy Springs, GA site plan
- Dunwoody, GA site plan
State-level context: Georgia permit site plan requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Alpharetta require a tree survey on every site plan?
Yes — for any project that involves disturbance of soil. The requirement covers all trees 6 inches DBH or larger within the limits of disturbance, plus all specimen trees within 30 feet of those limits. If your project has zero soil disturbance (e.g., a fence on an existing hardscape), discuss with the Inspections Division whether the tree survey applies.
2. What is a "limits of disturbance" line on an Alpharetta site plan?
It's the boundary of all areas where any ground disturbance will occur — grading, excavation, footings, trenching. Alpharetta requires this line to be drawn on the plan, with the total disturbed acreage labeled. Any tree 6″+ DBH inside this line requires documentation.
3. What is the minimum scale for an Alpharetta site plan?
1 inch equals 40 feet (1″=40′). Plans drawn at smaller scales (1″=50′, 1″=60′) do not meet the requirement. The scale must be explicitly stated in the title block.
4. What is the minimum sheet size?
17 inches × 22 inches. Maximum is 48 × 36 inches. Letter-size (8.5″×11″) submissions will be flagged as incomplete.
5. When do I need a retaining wall permit?
Retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in revealed height require a separate building permit and a structural design signed, sealed, and dated by a Georgia-registered Professional Engineer. "Revealed height" refers to the exposed face of the wall above finished grade.
6. Are fence permits over-the-counter in Alpharetta?
Routine fence permits — under 6 feet, rear or side yard — can be processed over-the-counter at the permit desk, often same-day. You must bring a site plan showing setbacks and property lines. Front yard fences and fences over 6 feet go through standard plan review.
7. What shed sizes are exempt in Alpharetta?
Sheds under 100 square feet do not require a permit under Alpharetta's local rules. Sheds 200 square feet or less without electrical or plumbing are exempt under Georgia State Codes. Larger sheds or sheds with utilities require a full permit and site plan.
8. How long does plan review take?
Initial plan review is approximately 10 business days from submission through the Alpharetta Permitting Portal. Incomplete plans or plans missing checklist items are returned without review — the clock restarts from resubmission. Complete submissions move on the stated 10-day timeline.
9. Does a homeowner need a P.E. seal on a residential site plan in Alpharetta?
Not for the site plan itself — homeowners can prepare their own residential site plans. The P.E. seal requirement applies specifically to retaining walls over 4 feet in revealed height and certain structural components. The site plan must be accurate and complete, but it does not need to be stamped.
10. What does "impervious area" mean on a site plan?
Impervious surfaces are surfaces that water cannot penetrate — building footprints, concrete driveways, patios, pool decks, and similar paved areas. Alpharetta requires the site plan to show the total square footage of all impervious surfaces on the lot and that total as a percentage of the lot area. This is a stormwater management requirement.
11. What happens if I miss a checklist item?
Your application is returned as incomplete. The 10-day review clock does not start until a complete application is submitted. Alpharetta's checklist is published — there's no ambiguity about what's required. Review the checklist against your plan before submitting.
12. Can I use the site plan creator for an Alpharetta addition permit?
Yes, as the base plan. The tool generates property lines, existing structure footprints, setbacks, and a title block from Fulton County parcel data. You will need to add topographic contours from a field survey, tree positions from a site walk, and your impervious area calculations manually. For full-checklist projects like additions, the tool handles the geometry and formatting; you supply the site-specific data.
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Build Your Alpharetta Site Plan — Full Checklist, Correct Scale
Ten-day review clock starts the moment a complete application lands. Enter your address, generate your Fulton County parcel geometry, set your scale to 1″=40′, add your tree survey and impervious area data, and export at 17″×22″ minimum. First plan is free.
Start My Alpharetta Site Plan →
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SitePlans.us delivers a human-reviewed, permit-style plan — non-certified but prepared with Alpharetta's detailed requirements in mind. One to two business days.