Elevation drawing
Also called elevations, building elevation
A scaled straight-on view of each exterior face of the building, showing heights, materials, and openings.
When it applies
In the permitting lifecycle, elevation drawing applies during Preparation and Plan review. Documents commonly matter at more than one phase, and this one does.
- Setup: does not usually apply
- Preparation: applies at this phase
- Submission: does not usually apply
- Plan review: applies at this phase
- Permit issued: does not usually apply
- Inspections: does not usually apply
- Closeout: does not usually apply
An elevation is a flat, straight-on view of one face of the building, drawn to scale with no perspective. A permit set normally includes all four: front, rear, and both sides.
Where it applies in the lifecycle
Prepared during Preparation and revised during Plan review. Height limits, material requirements, and design standards are all checked against these drawings, so in jurisdictions with design review or historic overlays, elevations attract more comments than any other sheet.
What they show
- Overall building height, measured the way the local code defines it
- Finished floor and grade elevations
- Exterior materials and finishes
- Window and door openings, with sizes
- Roof pitch and overhang dimensions
The height trap
How building height is measured varies by jurisdiction, and the definitions are not intuitive. Some measure to the mean roof height, some to the peak, some to the midpoint of the highest gable, and the starting point can be existing grade, finished grade, or an averaged grade around the structure. A design that comfortably meets a 35 foot limit under one definition can violate it under another, so confirm the local measuring convention before the design is fixed.
Related terms
Rules vary by jurisdiction
This definition is general. How elevation drawing is handled in practice is set by the building department that permits your property. Find yours in our free directory.
Last reviewed September 4, 2026