Getting a permit for a construction or property improvement project in McKinney can involve more than submitting a building permit application. Depending on the type of development, you may need a site plan showing how the proposed work fits on the property and complies with the City of McKinney’s development requirements.

McKinney uses a Unified Development Code (UDC) that regulates zoning, development, subdivision, landscaping, tree preservation, stormwater management, signs, lighting, fences, and other aspects of property development. The City’s current UDC was updated on March 3, 2026.

For applicable projects, the City requires a site plan before new development, redevelopment, expansion, alteration, or a change in use so the proposal can be reviewed for compliance with the City’s development and design standards. However, the UDC specifically provides exceptions for single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex residential developments, as well as certain changes in use that do not require changes to site features or improvements.

Site Plans TX prepares professional site plans for properties in McKinney and throughout Texas, using your property information, project scope, and applicable local requirements.

Whether you are planning a commercial development, property addition, redevelopment, accessory structure, or another project that requires site documentation, the goal is the same: clearly show the existing property and proposed improvements so the applicable review process has the information it needs.

When Do You Need a Site Plan in McKinney?

The City of McKinney’s current Unified Development Code states that a site plan is required before new development, redevelopment, expansion, alteration, or changes in use on a property or lot when the project falls within the site plan procedure. The purpose is to demonstrate compliance with the City’s development and design standards.

However, there are important exceptions. Single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex residential developments do not require a formal site plan under this provision. A change in use may also be exempt when it does not require changes to site features or improvements required by the UDC. This distinction is important for property owners in McKinney. Not every project needs the same type of drawing or follows the same approval process.

For example, a commercial development may require a formal site plan and supporting exhibits, while a particular residential permit may have different documentation requirements. The best approach is to determine the requirements for the specific property and project before preparing the drawing.

McKinney Site Plan Requirements

McKinney’s site plan requirements are more detailed than simply showing a building footprint on a lot.

The City’s UDC identifies information that must be included in the site plan exhibit for applicable applications. This includes the development location, proposed uses, zoning information, lot area and boundaries, existing structures, impervious area, building information, surrounding land uses and improvements, utilities, easements, floodplain information, screening, setbacks, and landscaping.

Depending on the project, a McKinney site plan may need to show:

Property boundaries and lot information
Development location
Proposed use
Applicable zoning district or Planned Development information
North indicator
Existing buildings and structures
Proposed development
Impervious areas
Building size and height
Total floor area
Adjacent land uses and improvements
Sign locations
Accessory structures
Surface utilities
Easements and rights-of-way
FEMA and fully developed floodplain areas
Screening
Required building setbacks
Required landscape areas
Appropriate drawing scale

The City specifies acceptable site plan scales, including one inch equals 20, 30, or 40 feet, unless another scale is determined appropriate by the Director of Planning. Because requirements can vary by project, a professional site plan should be prepared from the actual property information rather than relying on a generic template.

McKinney’s Unified Development Code

The Unified Development Code is an important part of the planning process in McKinney. The City’s current UDC includes regulations covering zoning, subdivision, tree preservation, signs, exterior lighting, fences, stormwater management, and related development requirements. This means that a site plan may need to address more than the proposed building itself. For example, a development may need to demonstrate how the proposed structure relates to:

Required setbacks
Property boundaries
Existing structures
Parking
Landscaping
Screening
Easements
Utilities
Floodplain areas
Impervious surfaces
Adjacent properties

Understanding these requirements before drafting helps create a drawing that is appropriate for the actual McKinney review process.

Zoning and Planned Development Requirements in McKinney

McKinney properties can be subject to different zoning districts and Planned Development ordinances. The City’s site plan requirements call for the applicable zoning district or Planned Development designation to be identified on the site plan exhibit. This matters because the applicable development standards can depend on the property’s zoning and any governing Planned Development ordinance.

Two properties in McKinney can therefore have different requirements even if the proposed improvements appear similar. Before preparing a site plan, it is important to understand the property’s development context and identify any applicable zoning or PD requirements. A professional site plan can then be developed around the actual property rather than assuming that one set of dimensions or standards applies everywhere.

Why Property-Specific Drafting Matters

Every property has its own physical characteristics and development constraints. Existing structures may affect where an addition can be placed. Easements may restrict construction areas. Property lines determine setbacks. Driveways affect access. Existing impervious surfaces can influence the overall site layout.

Floodplain information may also matter for properties in affected areas. McKinney’s site plan requirements specifically call for existing or proposed FEMA and fully developed floodplain areas to be identified where applicable.

This is why a professional site plan should be based on the actual property and project. Instead of drawing a generic building footprint, the plan should communicate the relationship between the proposed improvement and the surrounding site.

What We Include in a McKinney Site Plan

The exact contents of your site plan depend on your project. For applicable McKinney site plan submissions, the City’s UDC identifies a range of information that may need to appear on the site plan exhibit. Depending on the project, we can include:

Property boundaries
Lot area
Existing structures
Proposed structures
Building dimensions
Building height
Floor area
Setbacks
Impervious areas
Parking areas
Access points
Adjacent streets
Easements
Rights-of-way
Surface utility features
Floodplain information
Screening
Landscaping areas
Accessory structures
Sign locations
North arrow
Drawing scale
Applicable zoning information

For projects that require separate engineering, landscaping, tree preservation, façade, drainage, or utility documents, those may be prepared as additional supporting plans depending on the scope.

The City currently identifies a Site Plan Exhibit, Landscape Plan Exhibit, Tree Preservation Plan or Statement of No Trees, Façade Plan or Statement of No Façade Required, Preliminary Utility Plan, and Preliminary Drainage Plan among the forms and exhibits that may be required for applicable site plan submissions.

Residential Site Plans in McKinney

Residential projects are common in a rapidly developing city like McKinney, but it is important to understand that the City’s formal site plan requirement does not apply to every residential project. The UDC specifically states that single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex residential developments do not require a Site Plan under the applicable site plan procedure.

That does not mean a residential project never needs a site or plot drawing. The City may require site or plot plans for specific permit applications or property improvements. For example, McKinney’s fence permit guidance requires a site plan, which can be a survey or hand drawing, showing the property lines, fence location, fence height, and fence material.

Other residential projects can also require drawings showing the dimensions of the lot and proposed construction. If you are planning an addition, garage, accessory structure, fence, or another residential improvement, it is important to determine the exact permit documentation required for that project.

Site Plans for Additions and Property Improvements

Home additions and property improvements can change the relationship between the existing structure and the rest of the lot. A site or plot plan may need to show the existing building, proposed construction, property dimensions, and relevant setbacks or other site information.

For certain building applications, McKinney’s published guidance identifies site or plot plans with lot dimensions and the footprint of proposed construction among the required information. This can be particularly useful when planning:

Home additions
Garages
Detached structures
Fences
Property expansions
Other permitted improvements

The drawing should make it easy to understand where the proposed improvement will be located in relation to the existing property.

Commercial Site Plans in McKinney

Commercial projects can involve considerably more site planning than a simple residential improvement. A commercial site plan may need to address building placement, parking, access, landscaping, screening, utilities, drainage, fire access, and other development requirements depending on the project.

McKinney’s site plan requirements specifically call for information such as adjacent land uses and improvements, impervious areas, building information, surface utilities, easements, rights-of-way, screening, setbacks, and landscape areas.

For commercial development requiring public improvements, additional civil engineering plans may also be necessary.

The City’s Engineering Department states that civil engineering plans for new construction can include paving, water, drainage, grading, sanitary sewer, and erosion control. Required development plan documents can also include grading and erosion control plans, water and sewer plans, paving and drainage plans, landscaping plans, tree preservation plans, and other supporting documents. A site plan is therefore one component of the overall development process for larger projects.

McKinney Site Plan Process

Step 1: Provide Your Property Information

Start with the property address and tell us what you are planning to build, add, modify, or develop.

If available, provide your survey, plat, existing plans, building plans, property dimensions, or other project documents.

Step 2: Review the Project Requirements

We review the project scope and determine what information is needed for the site plan.

This is particularly important in McKinney because the requirements can differ depending on the project type, zoning, property conditions, and applicable review process.

Step 3: Prepare the Site Plan

We prepare the drawing using the available property information and proposed project details.

The plan is organized so the relevant site conditions and proposed improvements can be clearly understood.

Step 4: Review the Draft

You can review the prepared plan and provide any project-specific information or corrections needed before finalization.

Step 5: Submit Through the Applicable City Process

McKinney allows applicable site plan submissions through its Citizen Self-Service Portal under the Plans section on designated submittal days. The City’s current guidance states that site plans are typically approved by staff, although certain zoning or design exception situations may require Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council approval.

What Can Delay a McKinney Site Plan?

A site plan can require revisions when important property or project information is missing or when the proposed layout does not align with applicable requirements.

Common issues can include:

Incomplete property information
Missing survey or plat
Incorrect property dimensions
Unclear proposed building dimensions
Missing setbacks
Unidentified easements
Incorrect impervious area calculations
Missing utility information
Landscaping or screening information that is incomplete
Floodplain information not addressed where applicable
Changes to the project after drafting begins
Additional documents being required for the project

For larger developments, delays can also occur when the site plan needs to coordinate with civil engineering, drainage, utility, landscaping, tree preservation, or other supporting plans.

McKinney’s engineering process identifies multiple documents that can be required for development projects involving public improvements, so understanding the entire submission package early can help prevent avoidable delays.

Why Choose Site Plans TX for McKinney?

A permit drawing should be prepared around the jurisdiction and the actual property. Site Plans TX provides professional site plan drafting services for property owners, contractors, builders, and developers throughout McKinney and Texas. Our focus is on creating clear, organized drawings that communicate the proposed project and relevant site conditions.

We can help with:

McKinney permit site plans
Residential property drawings
Commercial site plans
Property additions
Accessory structure plans
Site layout drawings
Permit-oriented site documentation
Revisions based on covered drawing corrections

Every project is different, so we start with the property and project information rather than forcing every customer into the same drawing template.

Need a McKinney Site Plan?

If you are preparing a permit application or planning a property improvement in McKinney, start by identifying exactly what the City requires for your project. For applicable developments, McKinney’s site plan process requires detailed information about the property, proposed use, structures, impervious areas, setbacks, utilities, easements, floodplain areas, landscaping, screening, and other site features.

Site Plans TX can help turn your property information and project scope into a clear, professional site plan prepared for the applicable McKinney requirements. Whether you are planning a commercial development, addition, accessory structure, redevelopment project, or another improvement requiring site documentation, we can help you prepare the drawing you need.

Get a Free Quote

Email: drafting@siteplanstx.com
Call/WhatsApp: +1 (385) 885-5362

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every project in McKinney require a site plan?

No. McKinney’s UDC requires site plans for applicable new development, redevelopment, expansion, alteration, and changes in use, but specifically exempts single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex residential developments from the formal site plan requirement. Certain changes in use can also be exempt.

Do I need a site plan for a McKinney permit?

It depends on the type of permit and project. McKinney requires different types of drawings depending on the proposed improvement. For example, the City requires a site plan for certain fence permits.

What should a McKinney site plan show?

For applicable formal site plan applications, the City’s UDC identifies items including property information, zoning, proposed uses, existing structures, impervious area, building dimensions, adjacent land uses, utilities, easements, floodplain areas, screening, setbacks, and landscaping.

Does McKinney use zoning?

Yes. McKinney regulates development through its Unified Development Code, which includes zoning regulations as well as subdivision, tree preservation, stormwater, signs, lighting, fences, and other development regulations.

Can I use a survey as a site plan?

For some permits, yes. McKinney’s residential fence permit guidance, for example, states that a survey or hand-drawn site plan can be used, provided it shows the required property and fence information. Other projects have more detailed site plan requirements.

Does a commercial project require more than a site plan?

It can. Commercial development requiring public improvements may also require civil engineering plans covering items such as grading, drainage, paving, water, sewer, erosion control, landscaping, and other supporting documentation.

Does a McKinney site plan need landscaping information?

For applicable formal site plan applications, landscaping is part of the information identified in the City’s requirements. The City’s current submission guide also identifies a Landscape Plan Exhibit among the required exhibits for applicable site plan submissions.

Does a McKinney site plan need floodplain information?

Where applicable, yes. The City’s UDC identifies existing or proposed FEMA and fully developed floodplain areas among the information required on the site plan exhibit.

Where are McKinney site plans submitted?

The City states that applicable site plans may be submitted online through the Citizen Self-Service Portal under Apply > Plans > Site Plans on designated submittal days.

Can Site Plans TX guarantee permit approval?

No. Final approval is determined by the applicable City department or reviewing authority. Site Plans TX can prepare the agreed drawing and address covered drawing corrections, but approval remains with the City.

Start Your McKinney Site Plan

McKinney’s development requirements can vary significantly depending on the property and project. Understanding whether your project requires a formal site plan, what information needs to appear on the drawing, and whether additional supporting documents are required can help you prepare a more complete submission.

Site Plans TX can help you prepare a professional site plan for your McKinney project based on the information available for your property and the applicable project requirements.

Related Resources: FAQs | Contact Site Plans TX

Site Plan for a Permit in McKinney, Texas