Architectural Plans for Permit, Drawn and Sealed
Complete permit drawing sets for homes, ADUs, additions and commercial spaces, coordinated with structural and MEP engineering and sealed where required.
- Stamped by a PE licensed in your state
- Built to IBC, IRC and local amendments
- Plan-check comments answered
Permit drawings that answer the plan reviewer's questions
A building department cannot approve what it cannot see. Architectural plans for permit show the reviewer exactly what will be built, where it sits on the lot, how people get in and out, and how it meets the building, energy and zoning rules in force at your address. When something is missing or unclear, the set comes back with a correction list and the clock restarts.
PE Engineer prepares architectural drawings for homeowners, contractors, designers and developers across all 50 states. That includes single sheets, such as a site plan or a floor plan, and complete permit sets for new homes, ADUs, additions, remodels, tenant improvements and change-of-use projects. Where your jurisdiction requires a design professional’s seal, the drawings are sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in your state.
Because we also provide structural engineering and MEP engineering, the architectural sheets, framing, foundation and systems drawings are produced as one coordinated package instead of four documents from four offices. One team means one set of dimensions, one response letter at plan check and one point of contact from the first sketch to the issued permit.
What you receive
- Cover sheet with project data and code summary
- Site or plot plan
- Existing and proposed floor plans
- Exterior elevations and building sections
- Roof plan, details and schedules
- Sealed PDF set ready to submit
Architectural plan services
Choose the drawing type or project that matches yours to see what the plans include and what the building department usually asks for.
Floor PlansDimensioned existing and proposed floor plans with walls, doors, windows, fixtures, egress and room data, drawn to the detail plan reviewers expect.Explore More
Site & Plot PlansScaled site and plot plans showing property lines, setbacks, easements, lot coverage, utilities and drainage for residential and commercial permits.Explore More
Garage PlansPermit-ready garage plans for detached, attached and apartment garages, with foundation, framing, fire separation and site plan coordinated in one set.Explore More
ADU PlansPermit-ready ADU plans for detached units, garage conversions, additions and basement units, with site, architectural, structural and energy sheets in one set.Explore More
Home Addition PlansRoom additions, second stories, bump-outs and sunrooms designed to tie into your existing house, with architectural and structural sheets ready for permit.Explore More
New Home PlansComplete permit sets for new single-family homes, from custom designs to converted stock and modular plans, with structural and energy sheets included.Explore More
Remodel & Renovation PlansKitchen, bath, basement, attic and whole-house remodel plans showing existing conditions, demolition and new work, with structural changes engineered.Explore More
Commercial & Tenant ImprovementCommercial tenant improvement plans with code analysis, egress, accessibility, demolition, partitions and coordinated MEP for retail, office, restaurant and fitness spaces.Explore More
Change of Use & CO PlansPlans and code analysis for change of occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy approvals, covering egress, fire separation, fixtures, accessibility and structural loads.Explore More
As-Built DrawingsMeasured as-built drawings of existing homes and commercial buildings for remodel bases, permit legalization, Certificate of Occupancy files and property records.Explore MoreWho we draw for
Architectural drawings are the backbone of most permit applications, and we prepare them for everyone who has to submit one.
Homeowners
Plans for an addition, ADU, garage, remodel or new house, with a fixed-fee quote and a clear explanation of what your city will want to see before you apply.
Contractors and builders
Fast, buildable permit sets so crews can start on schedule, plus quick revisions when the plan checker or field conditions require a change to the drawings.
Designers and drafters
Sealing support, code analysis and engineering coordination for designers who prepare their own layouts but need a licensed professional and supporting sheets to complete the submittal.
Business owners and developers
Tenant improvements, change of occupancy, Certificate of Occupancy sets and as-built drawings for retail, office, restaurant, fitness, warehouse and light industrial spaces.
Your Stamped, Permit-Ready Plans Start With One Upload
Send your drawings or describe the project. A licensed engineer reviews it and sends a clear, fixed-fee proposal, often within hours.
- Free and no obligation
- Reviewed by a licensed PE
- Secure file upload
What goes into architectural plans for permit
Every jurisdiction publishes its own submittal checklist, but most building departments expect the same core sheets. A typical permit set includes:
- Cover sheet with the project address, parcel number, scope of work, sheet index, applicable codes, occupancy and construction type, and building area.
- Site plan showing property lines, setbacks, easements, existing and proposed structures, lot coverage, utilities and drainage.
- Floor plans with dimensions, room names, wall types, doors, windows, stairs and plumbing fixtures.
- Exterior elevations with heights, materials, window and door locations, and finished grade.
- Building sections that show ceiling heights, floor and roof assemblies, insulation and how the structure stacks.
- Roof plan with slopes, drainage, overhangs and ventilation.
- Details and schedules for doors, windows, finishes, fire-rated assemblies, stairs and guards.
- Energy notes documenting insulation, fenestration and air sealing requirements under the energy code.
Commercial sets add a code analysis covering occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area, occupant load, egress and accessibility. Not every project needs every sheet. A deck or small remodel may need two pages, while a new building can need twenty. We match the set to your scope and your jurisdiction’s checklist.
Residential plans, from one room to a whole house
Most residential permits are reviewed under the International Residential Code or a state code based on it. The architectural sheets have to show habitable room sizes and ceiling heights, emergency escape openings in sleeping rooms, stair geometry, guard heights, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm locations, garage separation and the energy envelope.
We draw residential plans for detached garages, ADUs and garage conversions, room additions and second stories, kitchen and bath remodels, basement and attic conversions, and new custom homes. For smaller projects the building department may only want a site plan and a floor plan. For a new house it will want the full set, plus structural and energy documents. We tell you at the quote stage exactly which sheets your city requires so you do not pay for drawings you will not use.
Residential work also has to clear zoning. Setbacks, height limits, lot coverage and, in some neighborhoods, design standards or homeowner association approval can shape the design as much as the building code does. We check those limits early, so the layout you approve is one the zoning reviewer can sign off as well.
Older homes add another layer. Additions and remodels often expose existing conditions that do not meet current code, and the reviewer will want to know which parts of the house are being altered and which are staying as they are. We draw that line clearly on the plans so the scope of required upgrades stays limited to the work you are actually doing.
Have a Question? Get a Real Engineer's Answer in Minutes
Skip the guesswork. Chat live with a licensed engineer about your drawings, code requirements or permit comments, free and with no obligation.
- Free and no obligation
- Reviewed by a licensed PE
- Secure file upload
Commercial plans and the code analysis behind them
Commercial work falls under the International Building Code, the International Existing Building Code for alterations, and the accessibility requirements of ICC A117.1 and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Plan reviewers start with the code analysis, so we put it on the first sheet.
That analysis identifies the occupancy group, the construction type, the occupant load of each space, the number and width of exits, travel distances, fire separations between occupancies, the required plumbing fixture count and the accessible route through the space. From there the floor plans, life safety plan, reflected ceiling plan and details carry each requirement through. When the work also needs fire sprinklers, fire alarm, ventilation or a kitchen hood, we coordinate those drawings in the same submittal.
Commercial reviews typically involve more than one department. The building plan checker, the fire marshal, the health department for food service and the zoning office may each issue comments. We track every comment from every reviewer and answer them in a single, organized response so the resubmittal clears in as few rounds as possible.
For tenants, the lease often sets the schedule. We can prepare a quick test fit before you sign, showing whether the space can hold your intended use, how many restrooms it will need and whether an occupancy change is involved, so the build-out cost does not come as a surprise after the lease is executed.
How a project moves from sketch to permit
You send what you have: a sketch, photos, measurements, an old set of plans, a builder’s stock plan or a correction letter. We review it, confirm the jurisdiction’s requirements and give you a fixed-fee quote, usually the same day.
Next we draft the plans and send them for your review. This is the time to move a wall, resize a window or change a roof line, because changes cost nothing on screen and a great deal in the field. Once the layout is right, we finish the sheets, coordinate structural and MEP drawings as needed, and deliver a sealed PDF set ready to upload to your jurisdiction’s portal or print for the counter.
If the plan checker issues comments, we answer each one in a response letter and revise the drawings within the original scope at no extra charge. Most residential packages are delivered within a few business days of receiving complete information, and rush service is available when a lease date, contractor schedule or financing deadline depends on it.
After the permit is issued, the drawings stay useful. Inspectors compare the work against the approved set, and if a field change is needed we issue a revision for the inspector to review rather than leaving the crew to improvise.
Common reasons you need architectural plans
- Building a new home, garage or ADU
- Adding square footage to a house
- Moving walls, doors or plumbing fixtures
- Opening or expanding a commercial space
- Changing how a building is used
- Legalizing work done without a permit
How it works, start to finish
From your first message to stamped drawings, you work directly with the engineering team.
- 1Share your projectSend the address, scope and any drawings, photos or plan-check comments. Two minutes is enough.
- 2Receive a fixed-fee proposalAn engineer reviews the scope and replies with a firm price and delivery date for your architectural plans drawings.
- 3Engineering and draftingWe run the calculations and prepare drawings to the codes your jurisdiction enforces, checked before sealing.
- 4Stamped set deliveredYou receive a sealed PDF set ready to submit, and we answer any plan-check comments within scope.
Codes and standards behind our plans
Architectural plans are prepared to the code editions your state and local jurisdiction have adopted, including local amendments and zoning rules:
- International Residential Code (IRC)
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1
- ICC A117.1 and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
- International Fire Code (IFC)
- State codes such as the California Building Code and the Florida Building Code
How licensing works. Engineering drawings must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the state where your project is located. PE Engineer works with a network of state-licensed PEs, so every set is reviewed and stamped by an engineer with an active license in the state where your project is located. Their name and license number appear on the seal, exactly as your building department requires.
Related services
Structural EngineeringFoundations, framing, beams, steel, retaining walls and lateral design, calculated and sealed by a licensed structural PE.Explore More
MEP EngineeringMechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection drawings, energy compliance and solar plans, designed and sealed by a licensed PE for permit.Explore More
Architectural Drawing StampFloor plans, elevations and code sheets reviewed and sealed by a PE where state law allows, with a licensed architect coordinated where it does not.Explore MoreFrequently asked questions
Do I need an architect or can an engineer prepare my permit plans?
For most residential projects, building departments accept plans from an engineer, a designer or the owner, and a seal is required only in certain cases. Some states reserve specific commercial building types for licensed architects. We confirm what your jurisdiction requires before we quote so the right professional seals the set.
What drawings does my city require for a building permit?
It depends on the project. A small remodel may need only a floor plan and a site plan. A new home usually needs a full set with elevations, sections, structural and energy documents. Send us your address and scope and we will check your jurisdiction’s submittal checklist and list the sheets you need.
Can you turn my sketch or stock plan into permit drawings?
Yes. We regularly convert hand sketches, builder stock plans and modular floor plans into code-compliant permit sets. We add the site plan, sections, details, energy notes and engineering the reviewer will expect, and adjust the design for your local wind, snow, seismic and zoning requirements.
Do you provide architectural and structural plans together?
Yes. We prepare architectural plans, structural calculations and framing and foundation drawings as one coordinated package, and we can add mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans when your permit requires them. Keeping every discipline in one office avoids the conflicts that cause plan-check corrections.
What happens if the plan checker sends corrections?
Send us the correction list. We respond to each comment in a numbered response letter, revise the affected sheets and reissue the sealed set for resubmittal. Revisions within the original scope are included at no extra charge, so a correction round does not change your fee.
How much do architectural plans for permit cost?
Cost depends on the size and type of project and which sheets your jurisdiction requires. A single site plan is a small job, while a new home set is much larger. We provide a fixed-fee quote after reviewing your information, usually the same day, so you know the full cost before work begins.
Get your free architectural plans proposal
Tell us where the project is and what you need. Attach any drawings, photos or plan-check comments. A licensed engineer reviews every request.
- Upload your filesPlans, sketches, photos or comments
- Get a fixed-fee proposalUsually the same day
- Receive stamped drawingsSealed by a PE licensed in your state