Site plans are drawings showing the design of site improvements such as building layout, pavement and parking areas, water supply and sewer systems, stormwater drainage systems, and site grading for new construction or major additions to existing sites.  These plans are used in obtaining building permits and for construction.  They can be for non-residential developments such as shopping centers, office buildings, and churches, or for residential developments such as single family dwellings, apartments, townhouses, and condominiums.  These plans show existing conditions along with the proposed improvements. 

 In addition, these plans show existing and proposed elevations for site drainage, cost considerations, and surface slope considerations such as handicap access and ease of pedestrian and vehicular travel.  Non-residential developments along with apartment, townhouse and condominium site plans are usually drawn on 24" x 36" size paper and require, at a minimum, a layout & grading plan and a landscaping plan. 

Site plans for single family dwellings are usually drawn on tabloid size paper and show only the existing conditions and the proposed layout and grading of the site.  Virginia Beach single family site plans have special requirements that require more work and larger drawings.

• City of Norfolk Planning Department: (757) 664-4752

• City of Portsmouth Planning Department: (757) 393-8836
• City of Chesapeake Planning Department: (757) 382-6176
• City of Virginia Beach Development Services Center: (757) 385-8277
• City of Hampton Land Development Services: (757) 727-8311
• City of Suffolk Planning Department: (757) 514-4060

A subdivision is the creation of new lots or the consolidation of existing, legally subdivided lots.  Subdivision drawings or "plats" are prepared as a part of the subdivision process, reviewed and approved by the City and recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  When new lots are created, boundary monuments are set at the corners of the lots.  When plats that serve to consolidate lots are prepared, monuments are set to mark the boundary corners.

A subdivision is required when:

• Creating new lots from a larger piece of land
• Buying a portion of a piece of land
• Selling a portion of a piece of land
• A construction project involving more than one lot is required to go through the formal site plan review process.

• City of Norfolk Survey Department:  (757) 664-4673
• City of Portsmouth Planning Department:  (757) 393-8836
• City of Chesapeake Planning Department:  (757) 382-6176
• City of Virginia Beach Development Services Center:  (757) 385-8277
• City of Hampton Land Development Services:  (757) 727-8311
• City of Suffolk Planning Department:  (757) 514-4060