Single Family Site & Grading Plans
Design builds to get your site prepared for your builder. Consulting for house positioning along with well and septic layout
Property Survey: A recent survey of the lot (e.g., from a mortgage or refinance closing) showing lot lines, dimensions, road frontage, and existing features. This is critical for creating a site plan.
Title/Deed Information: Proof of ownership and a legally recorded map from the Wake County Register of Deeds to confirm property boundaries and zoning.
Zoning Verification: Confirm the lot’s zoning and planning jurisdiction (e.g., Wake County “WC” or a town like Knightdale) using Wake County’s iMaps website. Zoning affects allowable structures and setbacks.
Environmental Assessment: Identify water features (streams, flood hazard areas, wetlands), buffers, easements, or watershed restrictions. Contact Wake County Environmental Services for guidance.
Financial Resources: Budget for permits, fees, and land improvements (e.g., clearing, grading, septic/well installation). Land improvements can cost $20,000–$50,000 or more, depending on site conditions.
Professional Contacts
Licensed surveyor for site plans.
General contractor (required if project cost is $40,000 or more, unless owner acts as contractor).
Design professional (architect/engineer) for plans and structural elements not covered by the NC Residential Code.
- Environmental consultant for septic/well or erosion control plans, if needed.
- Land Disturbance Permit:
Required for any lot in a subdivision (even if disturbance is <1 acre) or for lots outside subdivisions with >1 acre of disturbance.
Apply through the Wake County Permit Portal under “Land Disturbance – Individual Lot(s).”
Submit an erosion control plan if required (e.g., for logging or clearing near water features).
Cost: $100 per lot or $250/acre disturbed (whichever is less, as of August 2023).
- Erosion Control Measures:
Silt fences and tree protection fences to prevent sediment migration, especially near water features.
Sand or gravel driveway (10’ x 30’ x 6”) to stabilize construction access.
Inspection of erosion control measures before clearing begins.
- Equipment for Clearing:
- Heavy machinery (e.g., bulldozer, excavator) for tree removal and grading.
- Chainsaws, chippers, or haul trucks for vegetation removal.
- Hire a licensed clearing contractor to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Building Permit:
Required for the house construction and any structure with a dimension >12’ (e.g., detached garages).
- Application includes:
- Completed permit application via the Permit Portal.
- Site plan (see below for details).
Building plans meeting the 2018 NC Residential Code, including structural details (e.g., I-Joist layouts, brick veneer lintels).
Certificate of workers’ compensation insurance or exemption affidavit for contractors.
Notarized owner-contractor affidavit (if owner acts as contractor and project cost is ≥$40,000).
Appointment of Lien Agent for projects costing ≥$40,000 (via Liens NC).
Fees: Estimated $1,200–$3,000, depending on project scope.
- Wastewater/Septic Permit (if not on public sewer):
Required for onsite wastewater systems. Apply through the Permit Portal.
Submit a site plan showing septic system components (tanks, treatment systems, drain lines, repair area). Must be designed by a professional (e.g., EOP, AOWE).
Contact Wake County Health & Human Services–Onsite Water Protection (919-856-7434, [email protected]) for requirements.
Ensure septic system capacity matches the number of bedrooms on plans.
- Well Permit (if not on public water):
Required for private wells. Contact Wake County Groundwater/Well services (919-856-7482, [email protected]).
A preliminary site plan, drawn to scale, is mandatory for all permits. A final “as-built” site plan may be required before a Certificate of Occupancy.
- Components:
- Lot lines with dimensions and road frontage.
- All existing and proposed buildings/structures with dimensions and distances from fixed reference points (e.g., property lines, lot corners).
- Existing/proposed driveways, parking spaces, patios, decks, and walkways (include width and surface material).
Wastewater system components (if septic), including tanks, drain lines, and repair areas, designed by a professional.
- Water features (ditches, streams, flood hazard areas, FEMA flood zones, buffers).
- Stormwater management structures (type, dimensions, capacities, easements).
Impervious surfaces (itemized in square feet and as a percentage of lot size). Include an impervious calculation worksheet if not on the plan.
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