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Site Development Preliminary Site Plan

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SITE DEVELOPMENT PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN

Parties and Recitals

This General Business Agreement and Preliminary Site Plan ("Agreement") is entered into between Owner: and Developer: for the real property described herein.

WHEREAS, Owner is the fee simple owner of the property located at , identified as Parcel Number ; and

WHEREAS, Developer intends to prepare, submit and pursue approval of a preliminary site plan for the Project described below and to coordinate required technical studies and submittals on the Owner's behalf in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

Project Identification & Basic Data

Scope of Work

Developer shall prepare the Preliminary Site Plan and associated technical exhibits, coordinate reviews with reviewing authorities, and provide Owner with deliverables identified below. Deliverables will include plan sheets, supporting technical studies, and a submission package sufficient for municipal review.

Submittal Checklist (Preliminary)

Indicate materials to be prepared and submitted as part of the preliminary submittal.

Technical Summaries

Payment Terms

Owner agrees to compensate Developer for the services described under Scope of Work in accordance with the following schedule.

Late payments shall accrue interest at or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. Owner is responsible for costs of collection, including attorneys' fees.

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on Start Date: and continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon days' prior written notice. In the event of termination, Developer shall be paid for services performed and reimbursable expenses incurred through the effective date of termination, together with reasonable close-out costs.

Confidentiality

Each party shall keep confidential all non-public information and technical data disclosed by the other party that is designated in writing as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information (collectively, "Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall not include information that is publicly available through no fault of the receiving party, independently developed without use of the disclosing party's Confidential Information, or required to be disclosed by law or court order, provided the disclosing party is given reasonable notice to seek protective relief.

Representations, Warranties & Indemnification

Each party represents and warrants that it has authority to enter into this Agreement and that execution will not violate any agreement to which it is a party. Developer shall perform services in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. Owner shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Developer from claims arising out of Owner's acts, omissions, breach of this Agreement or ownership of the Property; Developer shall indemnify Owner for claims arising from negligence in the performance of Developer's services.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified by the parties at the time of signature. Venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement shall lie in the state or federal courts located in the relevant jurisdiction.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any written exhibits or attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and agreements, whether written or oral. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

Preparer Information & Certification

The following identifies the primary preparer of the Preliminary Site Plan and certifies that the technical submissions shall be prepared under the responsible charge of the listed professional.

I certify, under penalty of perjury under applicable laws, that the information contained in the Preliminary Site Plan submittal is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and that the technical work will be prepared under my responsible charge in accordance with applicable professional standards.

Execution

The parties acknowledge that execution of this Agreement constitutes mutual acceptance of its terms and authorizes Developer to undertake the Scope of Work upon receipt of the initial deposit and any required project-specific authorizations.

Developer (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Owner (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Site Development Preliminary Site Plan Is

A Site Development Preliminary Site Plan is a formal, mapped proposal that illustrates proposed land use and infrastructure for a development project prior to final engineering and permitting. It typically shows lot layouts, building footprints, grading and drainage concepts, preliminary utility routing, access and circulation, stormwater controls, and proposed easements. Municipal planning and zoning staffs use the preliminary site plan to assess compliance with local codes, to estimate required public improvements, and to identify information the applicant must supply before final approval or construction permits are issued.

Why a Preliminary Site Plan Matters for Your Project

A properly prepared preliminary site plan clarifies design intent, accelerates review, and reduces the risk of costly redesigns by identifying zoning, infrastructure, and environmental constraints early in the approval process.

Why a Preliminary Site Plan Matters for Your Project

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews a Preliminary Site Plan

Project teams and local agencies each have distinct responsibilities during preliminary plan review.

  • Developers and owners prepare and submit the plan or coordinate with consultants and the municipal application process.
  • Civil engineers and land planners produce technical drawings, stormwater reports, and grading concepts for submission.
  • Local planning and zoning staff, public works, and utility providers review for compliance, capacity, and required off-site improvements.

Collaboration between applicant and reviewers at this stage reduces review cycles and clarifies conditions to be satisfied before final approval or permit issuance.

Essential Elements to Include on a Professional Preliminary Site Plan

A complete preliminary site plan combines graphic drawings with concise technical data to show how the proposed development fits and functions on the property.

Project ID

Project name, parcel number, and project address must appear on all sheets and on the cover to ensure accurate file association during municipal review.

Existing Conditions

Show property lines, existing buildings, trees, wetlands, topography contours, and any easements or rights-of-way to identify constraints and inform grading decisions.

Proposed Layout

Include building footprints, parking counts and layout, bicycle and pedestrian access, loading areas, and future expansion zones to demonstrate intended site organization.

Circulation

Illustrate driveway locations, internal roads, ADA-accessible routes, fire access lanes, and turning templates for design vehicle compliance and safety review.

Stormwater Concept

Provide drainage patterns, proposed BMPs, detention/retention areas, and preliminary calculations to show compliance with local stormwater ordinances.

Utilities

Depict proposed water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer mains, meter locations, and any off-site tie-ins or easement needs for utility coordination.

Required Data Elements Often Requested by Reviewers

Project Name: Full project title
Parcel Identifier: APN or parcel ID
Owner Contact: Name and phone
Site Boundaries: Recorded metes/ bounds
Topographic Info: Existing contours
Utility Notes: Proposed connections

Step-by-Step: Submitting a Preliminary Site Plan

Follow this sequence to prepare a compliant submission and reduce the number of review cycles.

  • 01
    1. Pre-application: Confirm zoning and utility availability with staff.
  • 02
    2. Assemble materials: Prepare plan set, reports, and checklist items.
  • 03
    3. Submit application: File with planning department and pay fees.
  • 04
    4. Respond to comments: Revise plans and resubmit per reviewer notes.

Configuring an Online Submission Workflow

Digital submission speeds routing and preserves version history when configured to match municipal requirements.

Field Configuration
File Format PDF/A for plans; avoid password protection
Page Size Use standard sheet sizes (e.g., 24x36) as required
Metadata Include parcel ID, project name, and sheet index
Routing Auto-send to planning, engineering, and utilities

Where to File and How the Review Flow Works

Know the submission destination and the review sequence to track status and anticipate required revisions.

  • Planning Department: Primary intake for zoning and design review
  • Engineering Review: Checks grading, drainage, and utilities
  • Public Works: Assesses off-site improvements and access
  • Utility Providers: Confirm service availability and tie-in requirements

Digital Filing and eSubmission Considerations

Prepare files and account settings to meet common municipal eSubmission and eSignature requirements.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX, image
  • Integrations: Supports Google Drive, Box
  • Authentication: Email or SMS codes

Ensure the chosen platform supports audit trails, role-based routing, and the upload of large plan PDFs; verify municipal portal compatibility before submission.

Typical Review Timelines and Deadlines to Expect

Municipal review times vary; plan ahead for multiple review rounds and potential public hearing schedules.

Completeness review:

Often 15–30 calendar days to confirm required materials

Technical review:

Commonly 30–60 days for engineering and zoning comments

Public hearing schedule:

May add 30–90 days depending on meeting cycles

Resubmission response:

Expect 14–30 days per revision cycle

Permit issuance:

Final permits typically follow once conditions are satisfied

Key Milestones from Submission to Approval

Plan your project schedule around these sequential milestones to avoid construction delays.

01

Pre-Application Meeting

Stakeholders confirm scope and identify major constraints before formal submission

02

Application Intake

Municipality performs initial completeness check and assigns reviewers

03

Comment Resolution

Applicant revises plans and addresses technical or zoning comments

04

Final Determination

Approval, conditional approval, or denial issued with next steps

Common Mistakes That Slow Preliminary Plan Approval

  • Submitting incomplete attachments such as missing soils or drainage studies that trigger a completeness deficiency letter and delay review.
  • Using inconsistent project identifiers across plans, applications, and reports, which causes files to be misrouted or reviewers to request clarification.
  • Failing to confirm utility capacity or easement rights before submission, leading to late design changes and added review cycles.
  • Providing illegible or improperly scaled plan sheets that prevent reviewers from confirming compliance with dimensional and setback requirements.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Preliminary Site Plan

Application Rejection: Resubmission required
Permit Delays: Construction start deferred
Fines: Civil penalties possible
Stop-Work Order: Work may be halted
Increased Costs: Redesign and consultant fees
Legal Disputes: Claims over encroachments or violations

Practical Tips for a Clear, Review-Ready Preliminary Plan

Use these practices to reduce review cycles and improve clarity for municipal staff and external reviewers.

Follow the municipal checklist
Obtain and follow the local planning department’s submission checklist exactly; missing an item is the most common cause of an incomplete application, so align your plan set and supporting reports to every listed requirement.
Label sheets consistently
Use a consistent title block with project name, sheet number, and revision date; consistent labeling helps reviewers locate referenced details and reduces questions about which version is current.
Provide clear callouts
Use leader notes and callouts to identify proposed materials, grades, and infiltration features; explicit notes are faster to review than buried detail in accompanying reports.
Coordinate utility approval early
Contact utility providers before submission to confirm capacity and connection requirements; obtaining letters of feasibility or intent can prevent late redesigns and costly delays.

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Signing and Routing Plan Documents

Comparison of common eSignature providers by starting price and key capability; signNow is listed first per platform conventions.

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 free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Preliminary Site Plans

Answers to common questions about preparation, electronic submission, and legal validity for preliminary site plans used in U.S. jurisdictions.


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