Development Services Guide Logo
Development Fee Schedule
Site Plan for Building Photo

Site Plans for Building Permits


Process Description:
A site plan is required for work that does not qualify as a Plot Plan. A site plan is a drawing of the development of a particular tract of land.  Usually included are the size of the structures and their orientation on the lot, lot size and configuration, topography and grading, paving areas, parking and landscaping. The City’s zoning regulations require public approval of many nonresidential site plans.  A Plot Plan is a general plan of a lot for any type of construction, moving, reconstruction, extension, repair or alteration of any building, structure, sign, parking facility, use of land or change in occupancy.  Please refer to the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2132.1(1-9) for details regarding the thresholds determining the requirements for a site plan versus a plot plan.

The big difference between a Site Plan and a Plot Plan is that the Site Plan will be routed to Public Works, Public Utilities, Urban Forestry and Parks and Recreation when applicable.  Public Improvements, Tree Conservation, or dedication of Greenways may also be required.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

 

How do I start the process?
Prepare the Standard Submittal Package (see below).

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

 

What additional documents may be needed?
Based upon the specifics of your project, you may need to submit the following:

  • A lighting plan, if exterior lights are to be installed as part of this project 
  • Additional information may be requested dependent upon the specifics of each project 

 

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

 

Zoning/Site/Civil Plan Review Information:


General Information

  • Project address, PIN number, subdivision name, phase and recorded lot number
  • Zoning districts, overlay district designation and a copy of conditional use ordinance, if applicable
  • Dwelling and/or rooming unit calculations, and calculations for project density and density transfers
  • Building uses and size, both existing and proposed, with calculations for building lot coverage, floor area ratio and the number of stories in square feet per floor
  • Off street parking calculations and basis for determination
  • Cumulative expansion calculations, both for gross building square footage and/or vehicular surface area since 1/1/87
  • Vicinity map, north arrow, property boundaries, zoning district boundaries, adjoining property zoning and specific land use
  • Date and scale: scale must be no larger than 1:20 and no smaller than 1:50, unless otherwise approved
  • Existing easements, including width dimensions and book and page numbers

 

Requirements for new commercial construction Building, Structure and Outdoor Use Information

  • Building elevations that show maximum height from natural and finished grade, buildings to be removed, and the specific requirements of the Unity of Development statement for an applicable project
  • Site plan with all outdoor uses proposed, including but not limited to: accessory uses or structures, storage, water/wastewater facilities and cemeteries
  • Location of refuse, service, loading, utility service areas, and display areas
  • All public utilities that serve a project shall be underground and originate from pad mounted or subterranean distribution points located off the public right of way per City of Raleigh Ordinance  10-3059

 

Parking -  Vehicular and Pedestrian Access

  • Dimensions between vehicular surface area and outdoor living areas
  • Surface material of vehicular surface area and medians
  • Cross section and diagram of each floor of a parking structure
  • Internal traffic circulation details
  • Location of any off-site parking
  • Existing and proposed streets adjoin the site, including right of way widths, street name, pavement width, surface material, curb and gutter or ditch sections, and existing or proposed public or private sidewalk location and material
  • Plan view of all improved, extended and widened streets, public or private
  • Private street sign package, including typical sign details and plan view location
  • Driveway and access point locations, opposing driveways, and all off-site impediments to the proposed driveway
  • Vehicular stacking space areas

 

Open Space and Landscaping

  • Calculations for open space requirements shown in tabular form, and open space shown in plan view
  • Landscape plans showing requirements of City Code  Chapter 10
  • Description of vegetation to be retained and removed in areas of both voluntary and mandatory preservation
  • Identify all protected areas, including but not limited to: Conservation Management Districts, natural resource buffer yards, and Resource Management Districts
  • Natural resource buffer yards and impervious surface coverage in Reservoir Watershed Protection and Metro-Park Overlay Districts
  • Driveway access point locations, opposing driveways, and off-site impediments to the proposed driveway
  • Vehicular stacking space areas
  • Identify all drainage structures or velocity control devices in all protected and buffer areas
  • Any alternate design request must include, at a minimum: lighting, signage, landscape fenestration and fencing details

 

Where do I submit my application?

Office:             City of Raleigh
Department:  Inspections
Division:         Permits
Address:        One Exchange Plaza Suite 404, Raleigh, NC  27601
Adjacent to:   219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:        (919) 516-2575
Hours:            8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact:         Prior to submittal of new  buildings, additions, or change of use, clients are required to schedule a Gate Keeping appointment with an Inspecitons Department Commercial Permit Specialist (Gate Keeper) at either (919) 516-2572 or (919) 516-2573


What are the keys to success?

  • Provide accurate and complete information with as much detail as possible
  • Verify that the project address is correct. To check the current address assigned to a specific property, check the iMAPS on-line property mapping system.  If you think your address is incorrect, contact Willa Hinton  (919) 516-2638


What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

  • Fees are due at the end of  the process before permit is issued
  • Re-review fees may be assessed after the second review if prior plan review comments are not corrected
  • Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
  • All fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 404

 

How long will this process take?
Each review cycle takes approximately 10-15 working days.

Guide Home Page


For More Information Contact:
Patrick O'Neal
Site Review Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2557

Mitch Haley
Site Review Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2554

Kathryn Willson
Site Review Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2551