Residential One and Two family Dwellings and Townhouses

Submit two (3) full sets of construction drawings or blueprints with the Building Permit Application.  Use of a registered architect is recommended, but not required for residential construction documents, except for truss drawings and stressed concrete work (not supported by the ground).  All information must be drawn accurately and to scale.

Details that must be shown

Site Plan showing the following

·      All streets, alleys, roads, drives, etc

·      All lot dimensions

·      All right of ways and easements

·      All existing buildings and the dimensions to property lines

·      Proposed buildings or additions and their dimensions to property lines

·      Building setback lines

·      Garage and outbuilding locations

·      Grades and elevations of streets, curbs, grade at building and elevation of first floor

·      Flood plain statement

·      Type of soils existing

Building plans showing the following

·      Footer - Size, depth and width, reinforcement, if included, ground depth to bottom and type of concrete to be used

·      Foundation walls - Type of: thickness height and material to be used Include placements and type of sill plate and plate attachments

·      Floor or wall beams - Size of any beam supporting floors or walls

·      Floor plans - Show floors, walls, partitions, windows, opening and door swings, steps include size and spacing of floor joist and type and thickens of floor

·      Door and window header - Size and type of header or lintel over any opening  Walls - Type of construction, i.e. 2" x 6" and spacing

·      Ceiling joists -'- Size and spacing of ceiling joist

·      Roof or floor trusses - Size and spacing of trusses, include engineer's drawings for engineered roof systems           

·      Rafters - Size and Spacing of rafters

·      Roof-Pitch or slope, type or sheathing, type or covering, etc

·      Walls & Ceiling interior coverings - Such as drywall, plaster, paneling, etc 

·      Walls Exterior Coverings - Exterior Coverings or walls, such as brick or siding

·      Elevations - Front, rear and side

·      Stair Information - Rise and run of stairs, guard/railing type, width and height 

·      Electrical - Location of service entrance, panel and general electrical information

·      Plumbing - location of any fixtures any type or l11aterialto be used

·      Mechanical- Type of mechanical accessories including type use and location 

·      Energy requirements - List type and R-value for all insulation materials, vapor barrier location and type, house wrap use, U-value of all windows etc.  Energy should be calculated by one of the two following methods:  1) The PA Alternative Residential Energy Provisions, or 2) RES check (free software available)

Sections:

·         Frame Section - Show from bottom of footing to highest point of roof Show details of construction such as stud size and spacing, sheathing material, siding, inside finish, plate sizes, how attaching foundation to wall, wall to roof attachment, insulation, etc

·         Stair Section - Through stair section showing rise, run, headroom, handrail detail and framing detail

·         Detail Sections - of critical construction points or special structural items: such as decks, porches, retaining walls over four feet, etc

Some of these items may be listed in the form of a materials list, check with the Code Official for assistance.  Code Administrators will extend their help and cooperation in creating acceptable construction drawings when necessary.

You can download a printable Residential Plan Checklist to help you review your preparations and make sure you are including all required information:

Printable Residential Plan Checklist (40K)