The sheets in a Full Architectural Plan Set
- Site plan — shows the building's placement on the lot: property lines, setbacks, and how the structure relates to the rest of the site.
- Foundation plan — the footing and foundation layout the home sits on.
- Floor plans — dimensioned layouts of every level, showing rooms, walls, doors, and windows.
- Exterior elevations — front, rear, and side views showing the finished exterior appearance and heights.
- Cross section — a vertical slice through the building showing how floors, walls, and roof relate.
- Roof plan — roof shape, slope, and framing layout.
- Electrical plan — outlet, switch, and fixture locations.
Together, these sheets are generally what most counties expect to see when you submit for a residential building permit. See How the Permit Process Works for what happens after you submit.
What the lighter Design Package leaves out
The Design Package (floor plans and elevations only) is built for early decisions—confirming a layout and exterior look before you commit to a full set. It's not typically accepted as a standalone permit submission in most jurisdictions, because it's missing the foundation, section, roof, and electrical detail a plan reviewer needs.
When you need more than the standard set
If your county requires engineered/stamped structural details — floor joist layouts, footing sizes, header sizes, post/beam sizing, shear wall information — that's the Architectural + Engineered tier. Complex spans, multiple stories, or unusual framing are common triggers. See When Do You Need a Structural Engineer?