Can plans be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states; however, confirm with the receiving agency whether a digital certificate or wet ink is required.

Do elevations need notarization?

Not usually. Most plan sheets require designer or engineer stamps and signatures; a notary is only required where local rules or an affidavit demand notarization.

What if a submitted sheet has an error?

Submit a corrected revision with a new revision block and date. Track both original and updated sets; municipalities often require resubmittal notes explaining changes.

Are remote notarizations allowed?

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is permitted in many states but varies; verify your state’s RON status and identity-proofing rules with the state notary commission before relying on it.

How long should I retain signed plan sets?

Retain active project sets through the contract and warranty period; follow federal and industry rules such as IRS 3-year minimum (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA six-year retention where applicable.

Who is authorized to sign plans?

Licensed professionals (architects, engineers) sign and stamp plans within their professional scope; owners may also sign approval sections—verify local licensing and signature rules.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Plans and Elevations

Real Estate Plans and Elevations

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REAL ESTATE PLANS AND ELEVATIONS

Project and Property Identification

Project Name Property Address

Parcel / APN: Lot / Block:

Legal Description

Parties

Owner — Full Legal Name Owner Contact / Address

Phone: Email:

Architect / Designer — Full Legal Name

License / Registration No.: Firm:

Designer Contact / Address

Scope of Plans and Elevations

Purpose of Plans:

Brief Project Description Plan Sheet Index

Elevations included: Front Rear Left Side Right Side Roof / Parapet

Drawing Scale(s): North Arrow Provided: Yes

Technical Content and Compliance

Structural, MEP, Fire and Site information is provided as follows (check all that apply): Structural Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Fire Protection Site / Grading

Applicable Code Editions and Standards:

Accessibility and Energy Compliance Notes

Disclosures and Site Conditions

Lead-based paint present: Yes No

Known asbestos or hazardous materials: Yes No

Flood zone designation:

Site Observations / Known Constraints

Revisions and Change Control

Revision Number: Revision Date:

Revision Description / Change Summary

Approvals, Permits and Inspections

Jurisdiction for Approval:

Permit Number (if issued): Permit Approval Date:

Required Inspections / Conditions of Approval

Certifications, Warranties and Acknowledgements

The undersigned Architect/Designer certifies that to the best of their professional knowledge the plans and elevations submitted herewith were prepared under their direct supervision, and that drawings conform to applicable codes and standards, except as expressly noted. The Architect/Designer further certifies that they are licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where the work is located.

The Owner acknowledges that these plans are instruments of service and remain the property of the Architect/Designer unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Owner shall not permit alterations to the drawings except by written amendment signed by both parties.

Designer Certification (initials) Owner Acknowledgement (initials)

Default, Remedies and Liability

In the event of a material breach of the obligations set forth in this document, the non-breaching party shall provide written notice to the breaching party specifying the nature of the breach and a period of not less than thirty (30) days to cure such breach. If the breach is not timely cured, the non-breaching party may pursue all remedies available at law or equity. Neither party shall be liable for consequential damages except to the extent such damages arise from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The Architect/Designer carries professional liability insurance as required by licensing authority; Owner may request proof of coverage prior to permit issuance.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This document shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the property is located. This instrument constitutes the entire agreement between the Owner and the Architect/Designer with respect to the Plans and Elevations and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings, whether written or oral. If any provision hereof is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Attachments and Exhibits

List of Attached Documents

The parties affirm that the foregoing attachments are incorporated herein by reference and form an integral part of these Plans and Elevations.

Owner (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Architect / Designer (Print Name):

By:

Date:

What Real Estate Plans and Elevations Are

Real Estate Plans and Elevations are technical drawings and accompanying documentation that show a property's site layout, floor plans, exterior views, dimensions, materials, and construction details. They serve as the definitive visual and dimensional record for permitting, design review, bidding, and construction. These documents are used by architects, engineers, contractors, municipal plan reviewers, and clients to evaluate zoning compliance, structural requirements, and aesthetic outcomes. Accurate plans and elevations reduce misunderstandings during construction and create a clear basis for approvals, contract scope, and cost estimates.

Why clear plans and elevations matter

Clear, complete plans and elevations speed permit review, reduce change orders, and establish contract scope. They help stakeholders make consistent decisions, limit disputes, and provide the documentation needed for accurate cost estimating, inspections, and recordkeeping.

Who typically prepares and relies on these documents

Multiple professionals use plans and elevations at different project stages; the following list captures common roles.

Architects and designers: Produce coordinated drawings used for permitting and construction bids.
Contractors and builders: Use elevations and plans to prepare estimates, order materials, and schedule work.
Municipal reviewers and code officials: Rely on plans to verify zoning, setback, and building-code compliance.

Each participant uses the same set of drawings to align expectations and reduce rework across the project lifecycle.

Core components every professional plan set should include

A professional plan set groups related drawings and data so reviewers and contractors can find required information quickly. Typical components cover site context, internal layout, exterior appearance, and technical specifications.

Site Plan

Shows property boundaries, setbacks, driveway locations, utilities, grading, and relationships to adjacent streets or properties; essential for zoning and site permit review.

Floor Plans

Detailed plan views for each level showing room layout, dimensions, door and window locations, and fixture placements used for construction and code checks.

Exterior Elevations

Orthogonal views of each building face showing heights, materials, fenestration, rooflines, and finished grades for aesthetic and code assessment.

Sections

Cut-through drawings that reveal structural relationships, floor-to-floor heights, and important vertical dimensions that are not visible in plan views.

Details

Enlarged drawings of construction junctions, material interfaces, and assemblies required to install elements according to code and manufacturer instructions.

Specifications

Written descriptions of materials, finishes, performance criteria, and installation standards that complement the graphic drawings and control quality.

Required identifying and technical fields

Property address: Full street address

Parcel ID: Assessor parcel number

Owner name: Legal owner or entity

Designer name: Architect or engineer

Drawing scale: Scale and sheet reference

Revision date: Latest update timestamp

Step-by-step: preparing and submitting plans and elevations

Follow a consistent sequence to minimize review cycles and ensure the correct documents accompany your submission.

01

Assemble set: Gather site plan, elevations, sections, and specs into one coherent packet.
02

Verify data: Confirm addresses, parcel ID, scales, and revision dates match all forms.
03

Obtain approvals: Secure designer stamps, engineering sign-offs, and owner signatures where required.
04

Submit to authority: Deliver the packet to the municipal permit portal or planning office per local rules.

Where plans are typically filed and routed

Knowing the usual destinations for plans helps route documents efficiently and avoid resubmission.

Municipal portal: Upload PDF sets to the city or county permit site per submission checklist.
Planning department: Paper or e-file packet for zoning and planning review if required.
Building department: Permit intake for structural and code compliance checks.
Project team: Share final, approved sets with contractors and consultants for construction.

Digital submission and system requirements

Electronic plan sets are commonly accepted but must meet format and metadata requirements that vary by agency.

File formats: PDF/A or flattened PDF is typically required
Maximum size: Split large sets if portal limits upload size
Integrations: Works with common storage and PM tools

Confirm the receiving authority’s file type, naming, and submission rules before sending to prevent automatic rejection or manual delays.

Configuring an online review and signature workflow

Set up roles and authentication to match who must review and sign plans before filing or construction.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Email link \| optional SMS or KBA
Signer order	Sequential or parallel routing
Attachment rules	Require PDFs, auto-validate page count
Audit trail	Capture IP, timestamp, and actions

Common mistakes that delay approval

Missing or inconsistent parcel IDs, addresses, or owner names that cause routing errors and require resubmission.
Incorrect drawing scale or absent scale bar that prevents accurate dimensional checks during review.
Incomplete revision history or unsigned sheets that prompt requests for certified copies or wet signatures.
Submitting incorrect file formats or oversized PDFs that are rejected by municipal portals and restart the intake process.

Risks and potential consequences of incorrect plan submissions

Permit denial: Plans may be refused

Project delay: Construction start postponed

Increased costs: Change orders and rework

Contract disputes: Claims over scope and responsibility

Compliance fines: Local penalties may apply

Insurance risk: Coverage disputes on incorrect documentation

eSignature vendor comparison for signing plans and elevations

When choosing an eSignature provider for plan approvals, compare pricing, bulk send, audit capabilities, and HIPAA or regulatory compliance to match project needs.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	Trial varies	Trial varies	Trial varies	Trial varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about plans, signatures, and filing

Answers to common questions on electronic signing, notarization, and submitting plans help avoid rejections and speed approvals.

Need help? Contact support

Can plans be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states; however, confirm with the receiving agency whether a digital certificate or wet ink is required.
Do elevations need notarization?
Not usually. Most plan sheets require designer or engineer stamps and signatures; a notary is only required where local rules or an affidavit demand notarization.
What if a submitted sheet has an error?
Submit a corrected revision with a new revision block and date. Track both original and updated sets; municipalities often require resubmittal notes explaining changes.
Are remote notarizations allowed?
Remote Online Notarization (RON) is permitted in many states but varies; verify your state’s RON status and identity-proofing rules with the state notary commission before relying on it.
How long should I retain signed plan sets?
Retain active project sets through the contract and warranty period; follow federal and industry rules such as IRS 3-year minimum (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA six-year retention where applicable.
Who is authorized to sign plans?
Licensed professionals (architects, engineers) sign and stamp plans within their professional scope; owners may also sign approval sections—verify local licensing and signature rules.

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