When developing a new residential, commercial, or mixed-use building, there are several critical steps between the initial concept and the start of construction. One of the most important—and often least understood—is the creation of permit drawings.
Permit drawings serve as the technical documentation required to obtain construction approval from local building authorities. They demonstrate that a proposed project complies with all applicable codes, zoning laws, life safety regulations, and accessibility standards. In short, permit drawings are your project’s legal green light to move forward.
Understanding what goes into these drawings and why they matter is key to navigating the architecture and construction process smoothly—and that’s where Method Group can help.
What’s Included in Permit Drawings?
A full set of permit drawings, also called a permit set, includes the detailed architectural plans submitted for review by city or municipal permitting departments. This set typically contains:
Site plans showing lot lines, setbacks, grading, drainage, and utilities
Floor plans with precise room dimensions, layouts, and egress routes
Elevations and sections to illustrate the building’s shape and structure
Details of fire-rated assemblies, stair configurations, and accessible features
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) coordination information
Code compliance documentation, such as occupancy classifications and use groups
These documents ensure the design meets the latest building codes and safety requirements, including local standards in cities like Tulsa, Denver, and Kansas City, where Method Group frequently works.
How Permit Drawings Fit into the Architecture Process
Permit drawings are one phase in a broader architectural design process. They typically follow schematic design and design development stages, which focus more on the look, feel, and high-level planning of a space.
Once a design is approved by the client, the permit set formalizes it into a technical format ready for city review. In many cases, additional coordination with engineers and consultants is required to align all disciplines into a compliant submission.
At Method Group, we take pride in making this transition seamless. Our team manages this process end-to-end—from zoning analysis and design development to final documentation and submission.
Want to see how we’ve guided real projects from early concept to approved permit set? View our architecture portfolio for examples.
Why Permit Drawings Matter
Poorly prepared permit drawings can delay your project by weeks or even months. Incomplete, vague, or noncompliant plans may be rejected by permitting officials, resulting in costly revisions or resubmissions.
That’s why investing in high-quality documentation from the start is crucial.
Our team at Method Group ensures that every permit set is clear, code-compliant, and tailored to your city’s specific review process. We understand that each jurisdiction has unique requirements—and we design with those in mind from day one.
This is especially valuable when working on infill development or adaptive reuse projects, which often involve non-standard lots, zoning overlays, or existing structures. Explore our article on infill development strategies to learn more about these complexities.
Need a permit set for your next development? Start the conversation with Method Group.
Our Approach: Clarity, Coordination, and Compliance
Method Group’s approach to permit drawings is centered around:
Accuracy: Every line, label, and note is produced with attention to code and constructability.
Efficiency: We coordinate early with engineers and contractors to avoid rework down the line.
City Communication: Our team manages questions, revisions, and resubmittals with permitting officials to keep your project on track.
We understand that every project is different. Whether you’re building a new multifamily property, repositioning an urban site, or preparing a historic adaptive reuse, our team adapts the permit documentation to meet your needs—and your timeline.
Curious about how our documentation supports your project’s success? Explore our services to learn how we work across all phases of architecture.