Does the plan need a professional stamp?

Yes. Most jurisdictions require a licensed civil engineer or surveyor stamp and signature certifying the plan and computations; missing stamps commonly cause administrative rejection.

Can the plan be signed electronically?

Electronic signatures are generally accepted under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, but confirm the local permitting agency’s rules on e-signature type and notarization.

Is notarization required for submission?

Notarization requirements vary by jurisdiction and document type; some agencies accept PE seals without notarization while others require signed affidavits or notarized certifications.

What design storm should I use?

Use the design storm specified by the local ordinance (commonly 10-, 25-, or 100-year events); the reviewer may reject plans using an incorrect return period.

How long does review typically take?

Review times vary widely by jurisdiction and workload; minor projects may be reviewed in 2–4 weeks, while complex plans can take multiple review cycles over months.

How can I update the plan after approval?

Submit an amended plan or revision sheet per the permitting authority’s procedure and include a revision log, new certification, and any required re-review fees.

Site Drainage Plan

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Site Drainage Plan Agreement

Agreement Date: Client Name: Consultant Name:

Project Name: Project Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client requires preparation of a comprehensive site drainage plan for the Project identified above, including hydraulic calculations, grading recommendations, and best management practices to control stormwater runoff; and

WHEREAS, Consultant represents that it possesses the professional qualifications, technical expertise, and licenses necessary to prepare the Site Drainage Plan in accordance with applicable professional standards and regulatory design criteria; and

WHEREAS, Client and Consultant desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to preparation, delivery, and use of the Site Drainage Plan as set forth in this Agreement.

SCOPE OF WORK

Scope of Services

Services shall include but are not limited to site visit(s), topographic and drainage assessment, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for the design storm(s) selected below, preparation of construction-level drainage drawings and details, erosion and sediment control recommendations, coordination with permitting agencies as requested, and submittal of digital and printed deliverables as specified.

DESIGN CRITERIA

Design Storm(s): 10-year 25-year 100-year Other:

Allowable Release or Receiving System:

PLANS, CALCULATIONS, AND DELIVERABLES

Deliverables

Deliverable Due Date: Submittal Formats: Digital Printed Number of Printed Sets:

EROSION CONTROL & BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Erosion and Sediment Control Measures

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Fee Payment Schedule

Late Fee: Late Fee Applies After: days

Terms: Client shall pay undisputed invoices within the period specified in the Payment Schedule. Overdue amounts shall accrue interest at the rate specified above and Consultant may suspend services for nonpayment upon seven (7) days' written notice.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Commencement Date: Completion Date:

Termination Notice Period (days):

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if such breach is not cured within the notice period specified above. Upon termination, Client shall pay Consultant for services performed and reimbursable expenses incurred up to the effective date of termination, together with reasonable demobilization costs.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that, during the performance of services, it may obtain Confidential Information of the other party. Confidential Information means nonpublic information that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential. Neither party shall disclose Confidential Information to third parties except as required to complete the Scope of Work, as required by law, or with prior written consent of the disclosing party.

Confidential materials provided to Consultant in connection with the Project will be returned or destroyed upon request, subject to Consultant's record retention obligations and professional archival practices.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of: , without regard to conflict of law principles. Venue for any action arising under this Agreement shall be laid exclusively in the state or federal courts located within that jurisdiction.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including attachments and referenced documents incorporated herein by written reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. Any amendment must be in writing signed by both parties.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Consultant represents that the services will be performed in a manner consistent with the professional skill and care ordinarily provided by members of the same profession practicing under similar circumstances. Consultant does not warrant results or the approval of authorities having jurisdiction.

Client represents that it has authority to retain Consultant and to provide access to the Project site and information necessary for performance of the Scope of Work.

ADDITIONAL TERMS

Special Conditions or Additional Instructions

Consultant Printed Name:

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Site Drainage Plan Is and When You Need One

A Site Drainage Plan is a technical drawing and supporting calculations that show how surface water will be managed on a property. It documents existing and proposed grades, runoff flow paths, conveyance elements (swales, culverts, storm drains), detention or infiltration systems, erosion control measures, and maintenance provisions. The plan is used for permit review, construction guidance, flood-risk mitigation, and to demonstrate compliance with local stormwater and land‑use regulations. It is typically prepared or certified by a licensed civil engineer or surveyor and attached to building or grading permit applications.

Key Reasons to Prepare a Clear Site Drainage Plan

A complete Site Drainage Plan reduces flood risk, supports permit approval, documents design intent, and limits post-construction liability. Accurate drainage documentation protects structures, neighboring properties, and public infrastructure while meeting local stormwater management and erosion-control requirements.

Who Prepares and Reviews Site Drainage Plans

Typical authors and reviewers include licensed engineers, project owners, contractors, and municipal reviewers responsible for grading and stormwater compliance.

Civil engineers and surveyors who prepare grading, hydraulic calculations, and certification for permits.
Contractors and site supervisors who use the plan for construction sequencing and erosion-control installation.
Municipal planners and permit reviewers who verify compliance with local ordinances and NPDES/stormwater rules.

Each party uses the plan for different purposes: design, permitting, construction, inspection, and long-term maintenance tracking.

Who Signs and Certifies the Plan

Owner / Developer

The property owner or authorized developer signs approvals and accepts maintenance responsibilities; this person or entity must be clearly identified and authorized to enter permits and agreements on the parcel.

Licensed Engineer

A professional civil engineer typically stamps and signs the plan to certify design calculations, adherence to local design standards, and that the plan reflects accepted engineering practice for stormwater management.

Essential Components Included in a Professional Site Drainage Plan

A complete plan set combines graphic plans and technical documentation so reviewers can check hydraulic adequacy, grading, and regulatory compliance before construction begins.

Site Topography

Existing contours, spot elevations, and critical features such as trees, utilities, and adjacent drainage paths shown at the plan scale to establish baseline conditions.

Grading Plan

Proposed contours, finished floor elevations, cut/fill limits, and slope callouts that demonstrate positive drainage away from structures and toward approved conveyance.

Stormwater Conveyance

Swales, gutters, culverts, pipes, and outfalls sized and located to safely route design storm runoff without causing erosion or downstream flooding.

Detention/Infiltration

Design of detention basins, infiltration trenches, or other BMPs with storage volumes, outlet controls, and overflow routing for the specified design storms.

Erosion & Sediment Control

Temporary measures such as silt fences, stabilized construction entrances, and staging plans to limit sediment transport during grading and construction.

Maintenance Schedule

Long-term inspection and maintenance tasks, frequencies, and responsible parties to ensure drainage features remain effective after construction.

Required Fields and Core Data You Must Include

Project Name: Official project identifier

Owner Contact: Name, phone, email

Parcel / APN: Assessor parcel number

Existing Elevations: Benchmarked elevations

Proposed Elevations: Finished grade elevations

Hydrologic Data: Design storm and runoff

Step-by-Step: Completing a Site Drainage Plan

Follow these sequential steps to assemble and submit a compliant Site Drainage Plan for permitting and construction.

01

Gather Base Data: Collect survey, soils, utilities, and local rainfall data.
02

Develop Grading: Lay out proposed contours and finish elevations.
03

Run Calculations: Compute runoff, sizing conveyance and storage.
04

Prepare Submittal: Compile plan sheets, calculations, certifications, and application forms.

Where to File and Who Receives the Final Plan

Submit the Site Drainage Plan to the permit authority and any agencies with jurisdiction over stormwater, public right-of-way, or environmental review.

Local Planning/Building: Primary filing for grading and building permits; reviewers check compliance with municipal ordinances.
County Stormwater: County or regional agencies may require separate stormwater plan review and construction inspection.
State DOT: If work affects state right-of-way, submit to the state DOT for encroachment permits.
Environmental Agencies: NPDES, wetlands, or conservation agencies review projects with potential water quality impacts.

Digital Submission and eSignature Considerations

Electronic submittal formats and signer authentication requirements vary by jurisdiction; confirm agency preferences before filing.

Accepted Formats: PDF, occasionally CAD files
Authentication: Typed, signature image, or digital
Integrations: Procore, Box, Google Drive

Configuring an Online Workflow for Plan Completion

Map the digital workflow to match permit requirements: who signs when, which files attach, and how revisions are handled.

Field	Configuration
Signature Block	Sequential signing order; require PE stamp
Date Field	Auto-fill upon signature
Attachment	Require PDF plan set upload
Reviewer Notes	Enable conditional comment fields

Penalties and Risks from an Incomplete or Incorrect Plan

Permit Denial: Stop-work orders

Civil Liability: Property damage claims

Fines: Municipal penalties

Increased Erosion: Site instability

Insurance Issues: Claim denials possible

Remediation Costs: Expensive corrective work

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Drainage Plan

Using inaccurate or unstamped survey data that causes mislocated contours and undermines calculations during review.
Omitting design-storm definitions or using a noncompliant return period that leads to reviewer rejection and resubmission delays.
Failing to show downstream overflow routing and emergency spillways, increasing liability and flood risk for adjacent properties.
Not including maintenance responsibilities and inspection schedules, which can result in permit conditions and long-term failures.

Key Milestones from Design to Inspection

Typical milestone sequence with review cycles and construction checkpoints for a Site Drainage Plan.

01

Pre-Design Survey

Collect field survey, soils, and utility locate prior to design.

02

Permit Submission

Submit plan set and calculations to jurisdictional reviewers.

03

Review & Revisions

Address reviewer comments and resubmit corrected documents.

04

Construction & Inspection

Install drainage features and obtain final inspection sign-off.

Practical Tips for Accurate, Efficient Plan Completion

Adopt these practices to minimize rework, accelerate approvals, and reduce construction risk.

Start with Accurate Surveys

Commission a current topographic survey and utility locate before design; inaccurate base data is the primary cause of rejections and costly field changes.

Follow Local Standards

Review municipal design standards and checklists before drawing plans to avoid unnecessary review cycles and ensure compliance with required design storms and BMPs.

Document Assumptions

List rainfall intensities, soil infiltration rates, and model parameters in the calculations so reviewers can trace design decisions easily.

Maintain Version Control

Label plan revisions clearly, provide an index of plan sheets, and keep signed PDFs with audit trails to support inspections and future land transfers.

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Signing and Submitting Site Drainage Plans

Common eSignature vendors and plan characteristics to consider when executing engineering certifications and permit documents electronically.

	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	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by plan
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 Site Drainage Plans

Answers to common questions about signatures, certification, amendments, and permitting to help avoid delays and rework.

Need help? Contact support

Does the plan need a professional stamp?
Yes. Most jurisdictions require a licensed civil engineer or surveyor stamp and signature certifying the plan and computations; missing stamps commonly cause administrative rejection.
Can the plan be signed electronically?
Electronic signatures are generally accepted under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, but confirm the local permitting agency’s rules on e-signature type and notarization.
Is notarization required for submission?
Notarization requirements vary by jurisdiction and document type; some agencies accept PE seals without notarization while others require signed affidavits or notarized certifications.
What design storm should I use?
Use the design storm specified by the local ordinance (commonly 10-, 25-, or 100-year events); the reviewer may reject plans using an incorrect return period.
How long does review typically take?
Review times vary widely by jurisdiction and workload; minor projects may be reviewed in 2–4 weeks, while complex plans can take multiple review cycles over months.
How can I update the plan after approval?
Submit an amended plan or revision sheet per the permitting authority’s procedure and include a revision log, new certification, and any required re-review fees.

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