# Johns Creek Has Two Site Plan Tracks — Know Which One Your Project Needs Before You Submit
Most Georgia cities have one site plan standard. Johns Creek has two — and submitting a "Simple" plan for a project that actually requires the "Full" track is one of the fastest ways to get a correction letter and restart your review clock. The distinction isn't arbitrary: it maps to project risk, not project size. A small deck addition uses the Simple track. A pool, which involves excavation, drainage, and barrier codes, requires the Full track regardless of how straightforward the pool layout looks on paper.
Know which track you're in before you start drawing. The answer is right below.
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Simple vs. Full Site Plan — Which Track Is Yours?
| Project Type | Plan Track | Key Extra Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Simple | Property lines, fence location, height, setbacks |
| Shed (over 120 sq ft) | Simple | Property lines, footprint, all setback dimensions |
| Deck | Simple | Footprint, height above grade, ledger details, setbacks |
| Exterior alteration | Simple | Affected area, existing structures, setbacks |
| Detached garage | Simple | Property lines, footprint, driveway, ROW, setbacks |
| Pool | Full | Topography, drainage, barrier dimensions, pool equipment |
| Addition | Full | Full existing/proposed footprint, topography, stormwater |
| New construction | Full | Complete site, topography, stormwater, all utilities |
| ADU | Full | Footprint, parking, setbacks, stormwater |
Sheds under 120 square feet: No permit required — Gwinnett County's exemption applies within Johns Creek city limits.
If you're unsure which track your project falls under, call the Community Development Department at (678) 512-3200 before drawing. Getting this wrong costs two weeks, not just an afternoon.
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What Both Tracks Require
All Johns Creek site plans — Simple or Full — must meet these baseline standards:
| Requirement | Simple | Full |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum sheet size | 11″ × 17″ | 11″ × 17″ |
| File format | Vectorized PDF | Vectorized PDF |
| Scale | To scale, stated | To scale, stated |
| Property lines with dimensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Existing structures | ✓ | ✓ |
| Proposed structures | ✓ | ✓ |
| Setbacks from all property lines | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easements | ✓ | ✓ |
| North arrow | ✓ | ✓ |
| Title block | ✓ | ✓ |
| Topographic information | ✗ | ✓ |
| Stormwater management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Drainage details | ✗ | ✓ |
The vectorized PDF requirement is non-negotiable. A scanned hand-drawn plan is a raster image — it pixelates when zoomed, can't be measured digitally, and will be flagged by the city's digital review system. The site plan creator exports vector PDFs by default, so this is handled automatically.
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Who Runs Into This in Johns Creek
The deck contractor who's done fifty decks but not one in Johns Creek. The Simple track is fine for most decks — but the vectorized PDF requirement catches contractors who normally hand in a paper sketch or scan an old set of drawings. Johns Creek's Community Development portal specifies digital vectorized files. If your output tool creates raster PDFs, your submission won't meet spec.
The homeowner adding a pool. This is a Full track project. That means topographic information showing existing and proposed grades, drainage routing, and the required barrier dimensions — not just where the pool goes. A Simple plan for a pool project will be rejected outright.
The ADU builder in North Fulton. ADUs in Johns Creek require the Full track. With Georgia's ADU legislation expanding opportunities, this is an increasingly common project type. Full-track ADU plans must include parking provisions, setbacks from all property lines, and stormwater documentation.
The flipper doing an addition. Any addition that changes your building footprint requires the Full track. Full-track additions need topographic data and stormwater management — not just the before-and-after footprints. Engaging a civil engineer or at minimum a site grading professional is common for this project type.
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Johns Creek Setback Requirements
Setbacks vary by zoning district under the Johns Creek Unified Development Code. Typical residential ranges:
| Yard | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 20 – 50 ft |
| Side yard | 5 – 10 ft |
| Rear yard | 15 – 30 ft |
| Accessory structures | 5 ft minimum from all property lines |
These are baseline ranges — your specific district may differ. Johns Creek is one of the more affluent North Fulton cities, and several neighborhoods have HOA overlay requirements that are stricter than the city code minimums. Always verify your zoning district and any applicable HOA rules before drawing your setback lines.
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What to Show on Each Project Type
| Project | Track | What to Show | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence | Simple | Property lines, fence line with dimensions and height, gate placements, setbacks | Fence site plan |
| Shed (120+ sq ft) | Simple | Property lines, shed footprint, all setback dimensions | Shed site plan |
| Deck | Simple | Property lines, deck footprint, height above grade, ledger connection, setbacks | Deck site plan |
| Patio (covered) | Simple | Property lines, patio boundary, roof overhang if applicable | Patio site plan |
| Pool | Full | Property lines, pool and equipment pad location, topography, drainage, barrier dimensions, setbacks | Pool site plan |
| Garage (detached) | Simple | Property lines, garage footprint, driveway access, ROW line, setbacks | Garage site plan |
| Addition | Full | Existing house and addition footprints, topography, stormwater, all setbacks | Addition site plan |
| ADU | Full | ADU footprint, parking, setbacks, stormwater management | ADU site plan |
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Why Johns Creek Plans Get Flagged
Raster PDF instead of vectorized PDF. This is the most common technical rejection. A scanned sketch, a photo of a drawing, or a raster-export from design software doesn't meet the vectorized requirement. The site plan creator exports vector PDFs — verify your export before submitting.
Survey requirement misread. Johns Creek states that a Site Survey is required if the name and seal of a licensed surveyor have been "crossed out" on the plan. This refers to a specific scenario where a pre-existing survey was modified by the applicant. In practice, most Small Plan applications don't require a licensed surveyor — but if you're repurposing an old survey someone else stamped, understand this triggers the requirement.
Minimum sheet size ignored. 11″ × 17″ is the floor. Submitting a letter-size (8.5″ × 11″) plan with everything crammed in will be flagged. The site plan creator defaults to appropriate output sizes — verify dimensions before export.
Wrong track selected. Submitting a Simple plan for a Full-track project (pool, addition, new construction) is a direct rejection path. The city doesn't typically convert your submission — you refile.
Missing title block. The title block must include preparer information, property address, project description, and date. It's not optional and it's not decorative. Use the editable title sheet tool to customize the standard output.
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How the Site Plan Creator Works for Johns Creek
- Enter your Johns Creek address. The platform resolves your parcel from Fulton County's dataset — the same data Johns Creek uses for zoning and permit references.
- Confirm your lot boundary. Verify the parcel outline matches your deed. Fulton County data is generally reliable for established Johns Creek subdivisions, but corner lots and recently replatted parcels deserve a second look.
- Select Simple or Full track. For Simple projects, place your structure and add setback labels. For Full projects, use the topography overlay and add any drainage notes the city requires.
- Set your title block. Add your name, project description, property address, and the date. See how to edit your title sheet.
- Export as vectorized PDF. The output meets Johns Creek's file format specification. Verify the sheet size matches the 11″ × 17″ minimum before uploading to the Community Development portal.
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Where This Fits — and Where It Doesn't
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Simple-track project (fence, deck, shed, garage) in a standard Fulton subdivision | Site plan creator — vectorized PDF output ready for portal |
| Full-track project with simple grading (pool, addition on flat lot) | Site plan creator + add topographic notes and drainage routing |
| Full-track project with complex drainage or slope | Engage a civil engineer for topographic and stormwater documentation |
| Property with unclear boundaries or recent replat | Commission a licensed survey first |
| Urgent resubmit or prior correction letter | SitePlans.us done-for-you service |
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Comparison Table
| Method | Cost | Turnaround | Vectorized PDF? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-drawn (scanned) | Free | Hours | No — fails spec | Raster image rejected by Johns Creek |
| Site plan creator | Free (first plan) | 8 – 10 min | Yes | Fulton County parcel data; Simple + Full track capable |
| Done-for-you (SitePlans.us) | Contact for pricing | 1 – 2 business days | Yes (human-reviewed, non-certified) | Best for Full-track complexity or corrections |
| CAD drafter | \$300 – \$700 | 1 – 2 weeks | Yes | Adds cost and wait time |
| Licensed surveyor | \$800 – \$2,500+ | 1 – 4 weeks | Yes | Required only for legal boundary resolution |
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Common Johns Creek Site Plan Mistakes
| Mistake | Result | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Submitting raster PDF | Technical rejection — re-file required | Use tool output or verify export type before uploading |
| Simple plan for a Full-track project | Plan rejected — wrong track | Confirm track before drawing; call (678) 512-3200 if uncertain |
| Sheet smaller than 11″ × 17″ | Rejected on completeness | Verify export size before submission |
| No stormwater details on Full-track plan | Correction letter — clock reset | Full-track plans require drainage routing; add before first submission |
| Outdated site plan submitted for re-permit | Flagged if dimensions don't match current structure | Generate a new plan from current parcel data, not an old file |
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What This Doesn't Replace
The site plan creator produces preliminary, conceptual drawings for residential projects where Johns Creek allows homeowner- or contractor-prepared plans. It is not a licensed land survey, a sealed engineering drawing, a PE/PLS/architect stamp, or a guarantee of permit approval. Full-track projects requiring topographic engineering, stormwater design, or structural calculations must still engage licensed professionals for those scopes. Final permit approval is entirely at the discretion of Johns Creek Community Development.
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Local Resources
- Johns Creek Community Development Department — (678) 512-3200
- Fulton County GIS Property Viewer
- Georgia DCA State Building Codes
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Nearby Cities in North Fulton and Gwinnett
Planning work across multiple jurisdictions? These neighboring cities have related resources:
- Alpharetta, GA site plan
- Roswell, GA site plan
- Duluth, GA site plan
- Lawrenceville, GA site plan
- Sandy Springs, GA site plan
For county-level overview: Georgia site plan requirements by county.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the difference between a Simple and Full site plan in Johns Creek?
The Simple track covers accessory structures, decks, and exterior alterations — projects that don't require topographic or stormwater documentation. The Full track covers additions, pools, new construction, and ADUs — projects where drainage, grading, and structural impact require more detailed documentation. Both tracks require vectorized PDFs and the same baseline elements (property lines, setbacks, north arrow, title block).
2. Does Johns Creek require a vectorized PDF — what does that mean?
A vectorized PDF is a file where the drawing elements are stored as mathematical shapes, not pixels. It remains crisp when zoomed and can be measured digitally by plan reviewers. A scanned sketch or raster image export does not qualify. The site plan creator exports vector PDFs — if you're using other tools, confirm the export type before submitting.
3. Can I draw my own site plan for a Johns Creek permit?
Yes, for Simple-track projects. Homeowners can prepare their own site plans, including Simple track plans drawn on aerial photos or parcel boundary maps. The plan must meet the vectorized PDF requirement and minimum sheet size. Full-track projects may require licensed professional involvement for topographic and stormwater components depending on your site conditions.
4. What is the minimum sheet size for a Johns Creek site plan?
11 inches × 17 inches (tabloid/ledger size). Letter-size (8.5″ × 11″) plans will be flagged as incomplete. Verify your export dimensions before uploading to the Community Development portal.
5. When is a Site Survey required instead of a Simple site plan?
Johns Creek states that a Site Survey is required if the preparer's name and a licensed surveyor's seal have been crossed out on the plan. This applies in specific scenarios where a previously licensed document has been modified. For most standard residential Simple-track projects where you're drawing a new plan from scratch, a licensed survey is not required.
6. How long does plan review take in Johns Creek?
Plan review typically runs one to two weeks. Incomplete submissions or wrong-track filings reset the clock. The most common delays involve raster PDF submissions, missing topographic data on Full-track applications, and wrong project type classification.
7. What happens if I submit a Simple plan for a pool?
It will be rejected — pools require the Full track with topographic, drainage, and barrier documentation. Resubmit with the correct track. There's no conversion process; you file the right application from the beginning.
8. Does Johns Creek require topographic data for a deck permit?
No — decks fall under the Simple track and don't require topographic information. However, if your deck is elevated more than 30 inches above grade and involves structural footings, the engineering details for the footings may require additional documentation. Confirm with the Community Development Department for your specific project.
9. What are the setback rules for a Johns Creek fence?
Johns Creek fence setback and height rules vary by zoning district. Front yard fences typically have stricter height limits than rear yard fences. A fence permit is likely required — verify with the department before installation. Your Simple site plan must show the fence line, property lines, and applicable setback dimensions.
10. Can a contractor pull a Johns Creek permit without a site plan?
No. Licensed contractors are required to submit the same site plan documentation as homeowners. The plan must meet the same track, format, and completeness requirements regardless of who prepares or submits it.
11. My parcel data looks off — what do I do?
Cross-reference with Fulton County GIS. If the discrepancy is in the shape or location of your property boundary, review your recorded plat or deed. For genuine boundary disputes or recent replat situations, commission a licensed survey before submitting a permit application.
12. Does the site plan creator guarantee Johns Creek permit approval?
No. The tool creates preliminary, conceptual drawings. Final approval is entirely at the discretion of Johns Creek Community Development and the zoning office. HOA overlay rules, stormwater conditions, and district-specific requirements may affect your project independently of your site plan accuracy.
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Build Your Johns Creek Site Plan — Start With Your Address
Simple track projects, vectorized PDF, 11″ × 17″ minimum. Your first plan is free — enter your address, confirm your Fulton County parcel, place your project, and export a compliant vector PDF for the Community Development portal. No CAD required.
Create My Johns Creek Site Plan →
Full-track project, existing rejection, or a tight permit deadline?
SitePlans.us delivers a human-reviewed, permit-style plan — non-certified but prepared by someone who understands what Johns Creek reviewers look for. Available in one to two business days.