Design Package — for early decisions
Dimensioned floor plans and exterior elevations. Use this when you want to see and refine a layout and exterior look before spending on a full set—working with a builder on options, early budgeting, or exploring ideas before committing to permitting. Not typically accepted as a standalone permit submission.
Full Architectural Plan Set — for most permits
Site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, elevations, cross section, roof plan, and electrical plan. This is the set most homeowners need: enough detail for a contractor to price and build from, and generally what most counties want to see for a residential building permit.
Architectural + Engineered Plan Set — for engineered requirements
Everything in the Full Architectural set, plus floor joist layouts, footing sizes, header sizes, post/beam sizing, and shear wall information. This is the right choice when:
- Your county requires engineered/stamped structural details.
- The project has complex spans, multiple stories, or custom framing.
- You want to reduce the risk of RFIs (requests for information) or change orders once construction starts.
Not sure which one you need?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and it's genuinely jurisdiction-specific—the same house design can need different sheets in different counties. The fastest way to get a real answer is to start a quote with your ZIP code; we confirm local requirements and recommend the right tier before you commit to anything.