# Buford Requires Metes and Bounds on Every Site Plan — and the Plan Must Reference a Boundary Survey
Most residential permit applications label lot lines with a width and a depth: "75 feet," "120 feet." Buford requires more than that. Property lines on a Buford site plan must be shown with metes and bounds — which means each boundary segment carries both a bearing (e.g. N 32° 15′ E) and a distance. That information comes from the recorded survey, not from memory or a sketch.
The companion requirement: the site plan must be accompanied by or explicitly referenced to a boundary survey. The survey document and the site plan work together. If you can't point to a recorded survey as the basis for your lot geometry, Buford's plan reviewer will send it back.
---
Metes and Bounds: What It Means and Where It Comes From
Metes are the distances between boundary points (e.g. 87.42 feet). Bounds are the directions (e.g. S 15° 30′ W). Together, they describe each line segment of your property boundary using the language of land surveying.
On your site plan, each boundary segment label looks like:
> S 15° 30′ W — 87.42 ft
This data comes from your recorded plat or boundary survey. The deed to your property often contains a metes and bounds legal description in the attachment. Your county-recorded plat shows these values graphically. Neither is something you measure with a tape.
---
What a Buford Site Plan Must Show
| Element | Buford Requirement |
|---|---|
| Property lines | Metes and bounds on every segment |
| Survey reference | Accompanied by or referenced to a recorded boundary survey |
| Existing structures | Location, dimensions, use |
| Proposed project | Footprint, dimensions, height, use |
| Setback dimensions | Measured from all structures to all property lines |
| Easements | Any utility or drainage easements on the parcel |
| North arrow | Required |
| Scale | Clearly stated |
| Lot area | Total square footage or acreage |
---
Buford Setbacks (Typical Residential)
| Yard | Setback |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 25 – 35 ft |
| Side yard | 7.5 – 10 ft |
| Rear yard | 25 – 30 ft |
| Accessory structures | 5 ft from rear and side property lines |
Confirm with City of Buford Community Development — setbacks vary by zoning district.
---
Full Site Development Submittals
For commercial projects, subdivisions, or full site development, Buford requires a complete six-document submittal package:
| Plan Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cover Sheet | Project information, owner/engineer contacts, location map |
| Site Plan | Building locations, setbacks, parking, utilities rough |
| Grading Plan | Existing and proposed grades, spot elevations, drainage flow |
| Erosion Control Plan | BMP layout, silt fences, check dams, stabilization areas |
| Erosion Control Notes/Details | Construction sequences, BMP specification callouts |
| Utility Plan (Water & Sewer) | Water main connection, sewer lateral, cleanout locations |
Residential permit applications typically require only the Site Plan from this list — but for projects involving significant grading, land disturbance, or new utility connections, additional sheets may be required.
---
A Note on the Lake Lanier Proximity
Buford sits immediately south of Lake Lanier — Gwinnett County's major recreational reservoir. Properties near lake tributaries or the lake shore may be subject to stormwater and impervious surface restrictions beyond standard zoning setbacks. If your parcel is within the Lake Lanier watershed buffer zone, the site plan may need to show buffer delineation and confirm that proposed improvements fall outside it.
---
Project-by-Project Requirements
| Project | What to Show | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | Metes and bounds lot, deck footprint, height, setbacks | Permit required |
| Pool | Lot with metes and bounds, pool location, setbacks, barrier | Permit required |
| Shed | Lot, shed footprint, setbacks | ≥120 sq ft requires permit |
| Fence | Lot, fence line, height | Verify with city |
| Garage | Lot, garage footprint, driveway, setbacks | Permit required |
| ADU | Full site plan — primary and ADU, utilities, setbacks | Permit required |
---
Using the Site Plan Creator for a Buford Plan
- Enter your Buford address. Gwinnett County parcel data loads — lot geometry pulls from the county database, which reflects recorded plat data including boundary bearings and distances.
- Verify metes and bounds labels. The tool pulls parcel geometry from county records, which include bearing-and-distance annotation for each boundary segment. If labels need adjusting, use fix property line labels.
- Place your project. Set structure footprint, verify all setback dimensions are visible and measured to the correct property lines.
- Add the survey reference. In the title block or notes section, add a line: "Site plan referenced to [Plat Book X, Page Y], recorded in Gwinnett County" or reference your boundary survey document.
- Export and submit. Check with city staff whether electronic submission, over-the-counter, or mail applies to your permit type.
---
What This Doesn't Replace
This site plan creator generates preliminary, conceptual drawings. It is not a licensed boundary survey or a certified land survey document. Buford requires the site plan to be accompanied by or referenced to a recorded boundary survey — that survey document must come from a licensed professional land surveyor. The tool helps you build the site plan drawing; the survey is a separate document that you reference. Final permit approval is at the discretion of the City of Buford Community Development Department.
---
Local Resources
- City of Buford Community Development
- Gwinnett County GIS
- Hall County Development Services — verify county jurisdiction for your parcel
- Georgia DCA Building Codes
---
Nearby Cities
County overview: Gwinnett County permit site plan requirements.
---
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does "metes and bounds" mean on a site plan?
Metes are distances between boundary points (e.g. 87.42 feet). Bounds are the direction of each line segment expressed as a bearing (e.g. N 32° 15′ E). Metes and bounds together describe each boundary segment the way a surveyor would record it. On your site plan, you label each side of the lot with both the bearing and the distance.
2. Where do I find the metes and bounds for my Buford property?
The recorded plat for your subdivision shows boundary bearings and distances graphically. Your county deed attachment (the legal description) describes them in text. The Gwinnett County GIS portal lets you look up parcel geometry online. If your property was recently surveyed, the survey documents contain the current metes and bounds.
3. Can I draw my own site plan for a Buford residential permit?
Homeowners can typically prepare their own site plans for residential projects under Georgia law. The plan must still meet Buford's content requirements — including metes and bounds labels, boundary survey reference, and all setback callouts.
4. Does every residential project in Buford need all six plan documents?
No — the six-document package (Cover Sheet through Utility Plan) applies to full site development and commercial projects. Residential permits for decks, sheds, garages, and similar work typically require the Site Plan sheet only. For projects involving significant grading or new utility connections, additional sheets may be required.
5. Buford straddles two counties. How do I know which office to submit to?
The jurisdiction follows the parcel, not the city name. Properties within the City of Buford corporate limits go through Buford's Community Development Department — but Buford spans both Gwinnett and Hall counties. Run your address through the Gwinnett County GIS and Hall County GIS to determine which county's records show your parcel, then contact Buford Community Development directly to confirm the right permit pathway.
6. What easements need to appear on the Buford site plan?
All easements that appear on the recorded plat or boundary survey must be shown on the site plan — utility easements, drainage easements, access easements, and any lake buffer easements near Lake Lanier. The city uses this information to ensure proposed structures don't encroach on easement areas.
7. Does the site plan creator add bearing annotations automatically?
The tool loads Gwinnett County parcel geometry from county records, which include boundary bearings and distances from the recorded plat. Those annotations appear on the lot boundary as parcel data pulls. If any segment is missing a bearing label, use the fix property line labels tool to add or correct it before export.
8. Does my project near Lake Lanier need special documentation?
If your parcel is within the Lake Lanier buffer zone or along a tributary, contact Buford Community Development before designing the project. Buffer zone setbacks and impervious surface limits may apply above and beyond standard zoning requirements.
9. How do I reference the boundary survey on the site plan?
Add a note in the title block or general notes section: "Site plan referenced to [Document Name/Survey Number], prepared by [Licensed Surveyor Name], recorded [County, Book, Page, Date]." This ties your drawing to the specific survey document Buford will cross-reference during plan review.
10. What is the permit expiration in Buford?
Contact Buford Community Development to confirm current permit validity periods. Standard Georgia residential permits are often valid for 6–12 months, but city-specific timelines vary.
---
Build Your Buford Site Plan
Metes and bounds on the lot lines. Boundary survey referenced. Project placed with setbacks. Enter your address, pull Gwinnett County parcel data with bearing-and-distance annotations, place your project, and export. First plan is free.
Need a permit-ready plan before you submit?
SitePlans.us delivers a reviewed, non-certified permit-style plan in one to two business days.