Many businesses and residents that have business with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) often wonder: "What is a building plat and how do I use it?"

When you need to do exterior work on your property–such as building an addition or deck–a building plat must be included in your application packet. Your building plat must show proposed additions or new structures, such as sheds or decks. It also needs to show all existing structures and trees that are more than 12 inches around when measured 4½ feet above the ground.

Download DCRA's 12 Steps to Drafting a Building Plat * or pick up a copy in DCRA's Permit Center. DCRA has created an ordered, detailed instruction sheet to help you develop your plat for your building project.

You'll learn about the tools you need to draw your plat:

• An engineer's scale—available for less than $5 at most office supply stores. You may also borrow one from the Office of the Surveyor or the Homeowners Center.
• Your mortgage survey—most homeowners receive a mortgage survey of their property when they receive their mortgage from a bank.

You'll also learn about drawing your property to scale and how to get the correct dimensions for your house.