How to prepare a site plan

Set out by Schedule 8 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017, all development applications require certain documentation to be submitted for the assessment to proceed. The level of documentation applicants need to submit on the PlanSA Development Application Processing portal (DAP or the Portal), depends on the proposed development itself.

All applications require a site plan that demonstrates the location of the proposed development and its surrounds.


Site plans must:

  • be drawn to scale (e.g. 1:100, 1:200), show all boundaries of the subject property and their dimensions;
  • the location(s) of all existing buildings, trees, retaining walls, and other structures on the site; and
  • the location of proposed development on subject property, including proposed boundary setbacks.

Council does not offer services to prepare site documentation. Applicants are recommended to contact a draftsperson or architect to prepare the necessary documentation on their behalf. 

Professional engagement (builders, engineers)

For more complex applications, consider engaging with professionals such as builders, engineers, or private certifiers to assist with planning and ensuring compliance with building codes.

Note that council is not able to suggest recommendations for industry professionals and must remain neutral.

However, PlanSA have a page featuring Accredited professionals register within the government and private sector.


Examples of site documentation

The downloadable PDFs below are simple examples of site documentation for regularly occurring applications. Note that these examples are for viewing purposes only and should not be used in conjunction with any applications.

Example site documentation - shed (outbuilding)(PDF, 171KB) 

Example of site documentation - tree removal or pruning(PDF, 110KB)

Example of site documentation - retaining wall(PDF, 103KB)

PlanSA’s Development application checklist also provides a comprehensive page of information and documentation required for applications.


Understanding construction documentation

  • NCC 2022 Volume One: Schedule 1 Definitions | Abbreviations
  • NCC 2022 Volume One: Schedule 1 Definitions | Symbols
  • NCC 2022 Volume One: Schedule 1 Definitions | Glossary