# Your Lawrenceville Permit Starts with a House Location Plan — Here's How to Draw One in 10 Minutes
Lawrenceville is the kind of city where the permit process can move fast if your paperwork is right. The Building Department routes everything through the LPP Portal (Lawrenceville Planning Portal), and for most residential jobs — decks, sheds, fences, pools, garages, additions — you need a House Location Plan before anything gets reviewed. The city allows homeowners to draw their own. A clean, legible sketch with accurate dimensions is acceptable. But "acceptable" and "gets through plan review on the first pass" are different things.
This is where having Gwinnett County parcel data behind your plan matters. The site plan creator auto-generates property lines, bearings, distances, and a title block from your address — so you walk into plan review with something that looks like a plan, not a napkin sketch.
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Does Your Lawrenceville Project Need a Site Plan?
For most residential work that changes footprint or requires a building permit — yes. Here's the practical breakdown:
- Fences: Depends on height and location. Fences under 6 feet in side or rear yards may not require a permit, but many do. The Building Department is the authority — call before you assume no permit is needed.
- Sheds: Under 120 square feet, no permit required (Gwinnett County exemption applies within city limits). Over 120 sq ft — permit and site plan required.
- Decks: Permit required. Site plan required showing deck footprint, height above grade, and setbacks.
- Patios: Covered patios typically require a permit. Grade-level uncovered slabs — check with the department.
- Pools: Permit and site plan required. Show pool location, barrier dimensions, and setbacks from all property lines.
- Garages (detached): Permit and site plan required. Show driveway access and all setback dimensions.
- Additions: Any addition that changes your building footprint requires both a permit and a full site plan.
- ADUs: Full site plan required with setbacks, parking, and unit dimensions shown.
- Driveways: Driveway location must appear on the site plan for any structural work adjacent to or over the right-of-way.
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Who Runs Into This
The Saturday-morning shed builder. You ordered the panels, the concrete is cured, and then your neighbor mentions you might need a permit. Sheds under 120 square feet are clear — no permit needed. Anything larger, you need a plan before you pour another footing.
The deck contractor with a Monday start. Lawrenceville's plan review runs two to four weeks. Starting without a permit creates liability risk and can shut down a job. Build the site plan before the contract is signed, not after.
The homeowner adding a pool. Pools in Lawrenceville require the HLP to show pool location, all setbacks from the property lines, and the required barrier distances. Getting those dimensions wrong on the first submission means a correction letter and another two-week wait.
The owner-builder doing an addition. Lawrenceville allows homeowners to serve as general contractor with a Homeowner Affidavit. But "serving as contractor" doesn't exempt you from the site plan requirement — it means you're responsible for getting it right.
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What Your Lawrenceville House Location Plan Must Show
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Property lines | All lot boundaries with accurate dimensions and bearings |
| Existing structures | Location of current house, any outbuildings, driveway |
| Proposed structure | Footprint, dimensions, placement on the lot |
| Setbacks | Measured distances from proposed structure to each property line |
| Easements | Utility, drainage, and access easements |
| North arrow | Orientation indicator — required on all plans |
| Scale | Plan must be drawn to scale or note the scale used |
| Title block | Property address, owner name, preparer, date |
If property lines are unclear or disputed, Lawrenceville may require a certified survey. GIS parcel data is a starting point, not a legal boundary. For most standard residential lots in established subdivisions, parcel data is clean enough that the HLP is straightforward.
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Lawrenceville Zoning and Setback Requirements
Setbacks vary by zoning district. The city enforces its own zoning code — not just Gwinnett County's base minimums. Typical residential setback ranges:
| Yard | Typical Setback Range |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 25 – 50 ft (varies by district) |
| Side yard | 5 – 10 ft |
| Rear yard | 20 – 30 ft |
| Accessory structures | 5 ft minimum from all property lines |
Always verify your specific district at the Lawrenceville Building Department before drawing. A fence that clears county minimums may still violate city zoning if your lot is in a district with tighter rules.
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What Needs a Site Plan — Project by Project
| Project | What to Show on the Plan | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Fence site plan | Property lines, fence line location, height, gate placement | Permit may be required depending on height |
| Shed site plan | Property lines, shed footprint, all setback dimensions | Under 120 sq ft: no permit needed |
| Deck site plan | Property lines, deck footprint, height above grade, ledger attachment point | Always requires permit |
| Patio site plan | Property lines, patio boundary, impervious area dimensions | Verify with department |
| Pool site plan | Property lines, pool and equipment pad location, barrier dimensions, setbacks | Permit required |
| Garage site plan | Property lines, garage footprint, driveway, ROW dimensions | Permit required |
| ADU site plan | Property lines, ADU footprint, parking area, setbacks | Full site plan required |
| Addition site plan | Existing house footprint, addition footprint, all setbacks | Permit required |
| Driveway site plan | Property lines, driveway boundaries, ROW location | Required when adjacent to ROW work |
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Why This Trips People Up in Lawrenceville
The "I'll just use Google Maps" approach. Google satellite doesn't give you bearings, distances, or legal property line positions. Eyeballing your lot from an aerial photo has never passed plan review — and the correction letter wastes two weeks.
Missing the RCD district check. If your lot is in a Residential Condominium District, additional planning commission review applies. That's a separate process with its own submission deadline. Catch this before you submit to Building, not after.
Submitting the wrong portal category. The LPP Portal has distinct workflows for different permit types. Selecting the wrong project category can route your application to the wrong reviewer queue and delay the whole process.
Not showing easements. Drainage and utility easements limit where you can place structures. A shed planted in a drainage easement will fail inspection regardless of how clean the rest of the plan looks. Gwinnett County's parcel data includes easement boundaries — they appear automatically when you build your plan through the site plan creator.
Forgetting the Homeowner Affidavit. Owner-builders need to file this at the time of permit application. It's a separate document from the site plan but often forgotten until the Building Department asks for it.
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How the Site Plan Creator Handles Lawrenceville Plans
The tool connects to Gwinnett County parcel data. Enter your Lawrenceville address and the platform pulls your property lines, bearings, and distances automatically — roughly 80% of the plan is generated before you place a single structure.
- Enter your address. The system locates your parcel in Gwinnett County's dataset and displays your property boundary.
- Confirm your lot. Verify the boundary matches your deed description. If something looks off, check Gwinnett County GIS or pull your plat — don't build on a bad base.
- Place your proposed structure. Drag and snap your shed, deck, garage, or addition into position. Setback lines appear automatically.
- Add required notes. Label easements, adjust the title block with your project information, and confirm your north arrow is pointing correctly.
- Export your PDF. The output is a title-blocked, to-scale PDF ready for LPP Portal upload.
The tool creates a preliminary, conceptual site plan. It's designed for the projects where Lawrenceville allows homeowner-prepared drawings — not a licensed survey, and not a replacement for an engineer when one is required.
Read the support guide on editing your title sheet and fixing property line label positions if you're fine-tuning before submission.
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Where the Tool Fits — and Where It Doesn't
| Situation | Best Route |
|---|---|
| Standard residential shed, fence, deck, pool, or garage in a typical Gwinnett subdivision | Site plan creator — generates HLP in minutes |
| Addition or ADU needing accurate existing footprint | Site plan creator + verify measurements on-site |
| Property with disputed or unclear lot lines | Commission a licensed survey first |
| Commercial project or multi-family | Outside scope — contact a licensed design professional |
| Project in the Residential Condominium (RCD) district | Check planning commission timeline first; tool can still generate the preliminary plan |
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Comparison: How People Get Their Lawrenceville Site Plans Done
| Method | Typical Cost | Typical Time | Stamped? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch (self-drawn) | Free | 30 min – 2 hrs | No | Accepted if legible and scaled; harder to get setbacks precise |
| Site plan creator (this tool) | Free first plan | 8 – 10 min | No | Parcel data auto-populated; scaled PDF for LPP upload |
| Done-for-you (SitePlans.us) | Contact for pricing | 1 – 2 business days | No (human-reviewed, non-certified) | Best for complex projects, prior rejections, urgent deadlines |
| Local drafter | \$300 – \$600 | 1 – 2 weeks | Sometimes | Adds cost and calendar dependency |
| Licensed surveyor | \$800 – \$2,500+ | 1 – 4 weeks | Yes | Required if property lines are genuinely in dispute |
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Common Mistakes on Lawrenceville Permit Plans
| Mistake | What Happens | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Not verifying zoning district setbacks | Fails plan review — correction letter issued | Look up your district at Lawrenceville Building Dept before drawing |
| Missing easement boundaries | Fails inspection if structure is in an easement | Easements shown automatically in parcel data; verify before final placement |
| Submitting raster image instead of vector PDF | Portal may reject or flag the file | Export as PDF from the tool — it outputs vector-based files |
| Forgetting the north arrow | Common correction item | The tool places a north arrow automatically |
| Wrong project category in LPP Portal | Routes to wrong reviewer queue | Confirm category with the Building Department before submitting |
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What This Doesn't Replace
The site plan creator generates preliminary, conceptual drawings for residential projects where Lawrenceville allows homeowner- or contractor-prepared plans. It is not a licensed land survey, a sealed engineering drawing, or a PE/PLS/architect-stamped document. Where the city or your project scope requires a licensed professional — for structural engineering, sealed plans, or legal boundary resolution — that requirement must still be met independently of this tool. Final permit approval is at the sole discretion of the Lawrenceville Building Department and zoning office.
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Local Resources
- City of Lawrenceville Building Department + LPP Portal
- Gwinnett County GIS Parcel Search
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs — State Building Codes
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Nearby Cities in Gwinnett County
Also pulling permits in Gwinnett? These pages cover neighboring jurisdictions:
- Sugar Hill, GA site plan
- Duluth, GA site plan
- Buford, GA site plan
- Snellville, GA site plan
- Dacula, GA site plan
Or step up to the county level: Gwinnett County permit site plan requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a permit for a fence in Lawrenceville?
It depends on height and location. Fences under 6 feet in side or rear yards may not require a permit, but rules vary. Always confirm with the Lawrenceville Building Department before starting. If a permit is required, a site plan showing the fence line and setbacks must be submitted through the LPP Portal.
2. Can I draw my own House Location Plan in Lawrenceville?
Yes. The city allows homeowner-prepared site plans. Your HLP must be legible, drawn to scale, and show all required elements — property lines with dimensions, existing and proposed structures, setbacks from all property lines, easements, north arrow, scale notation, and a title block. A certified survey may be required if your property lines are unclear or disputed.
3. How long does plan review take in Lawrenceville?
Plan review for residential projects typically runs two to four weeks after submission through the LPP Portal. Complex projects or incomplete submissions take longer. Same-day or over-the-counter review is not generally available for site plan projects.
4. What is the shed exemption in Lawrenceville?
Sheds under 120 square feet are exempt from building permits under Gwinnett County's rules, which apply inside Lawrenceville city limits. Sheds at 120 square feet or larger require a permit and a House Location Plan. This threshold applies only to the building permit — zoning setback rules apply to structures of any size.
5. What happens if my property lines look wrong in the tool?
The site plan creator pulls Gwinnett County parcel data, which is accurate for most established lots but is not a legal survey. If your boundary doesn't match your deed or you see an obvious error, verify against Gwinnett County GIS or your recorded plat. For genuine disputes, commission a licensed surveyor before submitting a permit application.
6. Is a certified survey required for a Lawrenceville permit?
Not automatically — but the Building Department may require one if your House Location Plan doesn't show accurate property line dimensions or if boundary questions arise during review. For most standard residential lots in established Gwinnett County subdivisions, a homeowner-prepared plan using parcel data is sufficient for smaller projects.
7. What is the LPP Portal and how do I use it?
The Lawrenceville Planning Portal is the city's online permit submission system. Create an account, select your project type, upload your site plan PDF and supporting documents, and pay the required fees. You can track plan review status and respond to correction letters through the same portal. Contact the Building Department at (770) 963-2414 for account or submission questions.
8. Do I need a site plan for an ADU in Lawrenceville?
Yes. ADU permits in Lawrenceville require a full site plan showing the ADU footprint, setbacks from all property lines, parking provisions, and the relationship to the primary dwelling. Georgia's ADU-friendly legislation has opened up more opportunities for homeowners, but the site plan requirement remains. See the ADU site plan guide for what to show.
9. What setbacks apply to accessory structures in Lawrenceville?
The city requires a minimum 5-foot setback from all property lines for accessory structures (sheds, detached garages). Your specific zoning district may require more. Always verify with the Building Department — some districts along major corridors or adjacent to HOA-governed subdivisions have additional overlay requirements.
10. Can a contractor pull the permit for my Lawrenceville project?
Yes. Licensed Georgia contractors can pull permits on behalf of property owners. They're responsible for the site plan accuracy and code compliance. Owner-builders can also pull their own permits using a Homeowner Affidavit — this doesn't relieve you of the site plan requirement, but it does eliminate the need for a licensed contractor.
11. What if I start work before getting a permit?
Unpermitted work in Lawrenceville can result in stop-work orders, fines, and a requirement to remove the structure or bring it into compliance at your cost. The Building Department can require a licensed inspector to evaluate work that was done without permits if a subsequent permit application triggers discovery. Don't start until you have approval in hand.
12. Does the site plan creator guarantee my Lawrenceville permit will be approved?
No. The tool creates preliminary, conceptual drawings based on county parcel data. Final permit approval is entirely at the discretion of the Lawrenceville Building Department and zoning office. Factors like HOA overlay rules, stormwater conditions, or zoning district amendments may affect your project regardless of how accurate your site plan is.
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Draw Your Lawrenceville House Location Plan Now
Two to four weeks of plan review goes faster when your application is complete on the first submission. Enter your address, see your Lawrenceville parcel, place your structure, and export a clean PDF for the LPP Portal — your first plan is free, no card required.
Start My Lawrenceville Site Plan →
Complex project, prior rejection, or tight deadline?
The done-for-you service at SitePlans.us delivers a human-reviewed, permit-style plan — still not a licensed survey, but reviewed by a real person familiar with local submission standards.