Do I Need A Survey For My Permit?

Do I Need A Survey For My Residential Project?

Surveys are not required for: interior remodels, re-roofs, re-siding, windows/doors.

Surveys will be required for residential building projects unless the work qualifies for one of the following exclusions:

  • General maintenance projects (defined as the repair or replacement of an existing structure where no expansion is proposed) can be excluded from the survey requirement if the following occurs:
  • The applicant provides an old certified survey that shows the current location of the structure being replaced/repaired. Note that the dimensions of the proposed construction on the plan sets must match the old survey. Or,
  • The applicant provides a to-scale site plan showing that the structure being repaired or replaced is at least three feet away (see note) from any applicable setback, and there is no grading, stormwater, easement, or maximum coverage concerns posed by the proposed project as determined by City staff.
    Note that staff may use discretion in situations to accept a site plan when the distance from a setback is less than three feet based on the adjacent land. This discretion is only exercised when staff is 100% certain that the potential for a nonconformity will not create any future problems. Staff exercise of discretion should be viewed as the cautious exception, not the expectation. 
  • Additions to existing structures that expand the building footprint can be excluded from the survey requirement if:
  • The proposed addition is greater than three feet beyond any applicable structural setback requirement and
  • The proposed addition will not require any grading with the potential to impact adjacent property and
  • The proposed addition will clearly be conforming to impervious surface requirements
  • Additions that do not require expansion of a building footprint (i.e. a second story addition) can be excluded from the survey requirement if:
  • The existing structure is at least six inches greater than any applicable structural setback requirement  and property lines are identified

This final exception also applies to expansions that have been reviewed and approved through the land use process using an existing survey or site plan.

New residential construction will always require submittal of a survey to document the proposed grading extent, location of erosion control, proposed drainage following construction, etc. Exceptions to this rule include:

  • Sheds or other small structures that do not require footings, however property pins/stakes may need to be exposed
  • Fences, provided property pins/stakes are located and exposed

If you have questions contact permitting

Do I Need A Survey For My Commercial Building Project?

Surveys will be required for commercial and industrial building projects unless the work qualifies for one of the following exclusions:

  • General maintenance projects (defined as the repair or replacement of an existing structure where no expansion is proposed) can be excluded from the survey requirement if the following occurs:
  • The applicant provides an old certified survey that shows the current location of the structure being replaced/repaired. Note that the dimensions of the proposed construction on the plan sets must match the old survey. Or,
  • The applicant provides a to-scale site plan showing that the structure being repaired or replaced is at least 3 feet away (see note) from any applicable setback, and there is no grading, stormwater, easement, or maximum coverage concerns posed by the proposed project as determined by City staff.
    Note that staff is allowed to use discretion to accept a site plan when the distance from a setback is less than 3 feet based on the adjacent land. This discretion should only be exercised when staff is 100% certain that the potential for a nonconformity will not create any future problems. Staff exercise of discretion should be viewed as the cautious exception, not the expectation. 
  • Additions to existing structures that expand the building footprint can be excluded from the survey requirement if:
  • The proposed addition is greater than five feet beyond any applicable structural setback requirement and
  • The proposed addition will not require any grading within twenty (20) feet of adjacent property (note that engineering can still be requested to review the plans and/or conduct a site visit if there are any concerns about drainage issues) and
  • The proposed addition will clearly be conforming to impervious surface requirements for the property
  • Additions that do not require expansion of a building footprint (i.e. a second story addition) can be excluded from the survey requirement if:
  • The existing structure is greater than  six inches beyond any applicable structural setback requirement and property lines are  identified

This final exception also applies to expansions that have been reviewed and approved through the land use process using an existing survey or site plan.

New commercial or industrial construction will always require submittal of a survey to document the proposed grading extent, location of erosion control, proposed drainage following construction, etc. Exceptions to this rule include:

  • Sheds or other small structures that do not require footings, however property pins/stakes may need to be located and exposed
  • Fences, provided property pins/stakes are located and exposed

If you have questions contact permitting

Do I Need To Supply An As-Built Grading Survey?

Applications for new construction or expansions of existing footprints will be required to provide an as-built grading survey if one of the following criteria apply:

  • The new construction includes proposed grading that will alter (or has the potential to alter) the drainage patterns onto adjacent property or
  • The proposed new construction is being built in conjunction with a variance or conditional use permit subject to specific grading or screening requirements or
  • The proposed new construction is being built in accordance with an approved master grading plan

If you have questions contact permitting

Zoning Review Applications

Surveys are necessary for proposals that require a land use application:

  • Variances
  • Conditional Use Permits
  • Interim Use Permits
  • Site Plan Reviews (non-residential projects)
  • Platting

Exception: If the applicant is improving a property such that building footprints, hardcover, etc, will not change (i.e. building upwards) and an old to-scale survey or site plan already provides all information necessary to complete a review, the old survey or site plan may be accepted for the new land use process at staff's discretion.

Are There Minimum Survey Requirements?

When survey requirements apply to a project, Community Development typically use discretion to minimize survey costs whenever possible by excluding extraneous information that will be unnecessary for determining zoning compliance.

If you have questions contact permitting

Show All Answers

1. Do I Need A Permit?
2. What Is The Difference Between A Building And A Zoning Permit?
3. What Do I Need To Submit A Permit Application?
4. Do You Have "How To" Guides For Permitting?
5. Do I Need A Survey For My Permit?
6. What Happens If I Do Work Without A Permit?
7. I Received A Notification My Permit Expired, But The Project Is Not Completed: What Should I Do?
8. How Long Is My Permit Good For?
9. What Type Of Work On Buildings Can I Do Without A Permit?
10. What If I Have Emergency Repairs?
11. Do I Need To Be On-Site For An Inspection?
12. How Do I Set Up An Inspection?