Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
154 Section 1 Preparing to Build
8.1 Plot Plan
Most, if not all, communities require the builder or
owner to furnish a plot plan before they will issue a
building permit. A surveyor provides a survey of the
site and locates stakes to indicate the boundaries, also
called property lines. The plot plan indicates the loca-
tion of the structure and distances to property lines on
all sides. Surveyors should always locate the property
lines. They should also draw the plot plan. The work of
an engineer or surveyor protects the owner and builder
from costly errors in measurement. Because surveyors
usually measure land distances in feet and decimal
parts of a foot (Chapter 7, Plans, Specifications, and
Codes), most plot plans show property boundaries in
these units, Figure 8‑1.
8.2 Measuring Tapes
For measurements and layouts involving long dis-
tances, steel tapes, usually called measuring tapes,
may be used, Figure 8‑2. Tapes are available in lengths
of 50′–300′. There are various types with differing
graduations. A carpenter will usually select one that is
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑1. Providing a plot plan is the responsibility of the architect or owner. The plan shows the property boundaries, along
with the building lines for the proposed building. Many communities require a plot plan before issuing a building permit.
154 Section 1 Preparing to Build
8.1 Plot Plan
Most, if not all, communities require the builder or
owner to furnish a plot plan before they will issue a
building permit. A surveyor provides a survey of the
site and locates stakes to indicate the boundaries, also
called property lines. The plot plan indicates the loca-
tion of the structure and distances to property lines on
all sides. Surveyors should always locate the property
lines. They should also draw the plot plan. The work of
an engineer or surveyor protects the owner and builder
from costly errors in measurement. Because surveyors
usually measure land distances in feet and decimal
parts of a foot (Chapter 7, Plans, Specifications, and
Codes), most plot plans show property boundaries in
these units, Figure 8‑1.
8.2 Measuring Tapes
For measurements and layouts involving long dis-
tances, steel tapes, usually called measuring tapes,
may be used, Figure 8‑2. Tapes are available in lengths
of 50′–300′. There are various types with differing
graduations. A carpenter will usually select one that is
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑1. Providing a plot plan is the responsibility of the architect or owner. The plan shows the property boundaries, along
with the building lines for the proposed building. Many communities require a plot plan before issuing a building permit.