How to Prepare Elevation Drawings for Building Approval (A Complete Guide)

Elevation drawings are one of the most crucial components of the building approval process. They depict the exterior appearance of a building and assist authorities in verifying whether the design complies with local building codes and regulations.

In this guide, we will walk you through a detailed, step-by-step process on how to prepare professional elevation drawings for submission.

What is an Elevation Drawing?

An elevation drawing is a 2D representation of a building's exterior, viewed from one side. It illustrates the details of the building, including:

The building's height
Exterior design and finishes
Doors, windows, and balconies
Architectural style

Types of Elevation Drawings

Front Elevation – The main view facing the street.
Rear Elevation – The view facing the rear.
Side Elevation (Left and Right) – Views of the sides of the building.

Importance of Elevation for Approval

Authorities check elevation drawings to ensure:

Building height complies with rules
Proper setbacks are maintained
Aesthetic control (in some areas)
No illegal projections

Step-by-Step Process to Prepare Elevation Drawings

🟢 Step 1: Study Approved Floor Plan

Before starting:

Use the approved building plan
Verify dimensions, levels, and setbacks
Ensure alignment of walls, doors, and windows

🟢 Step 2: Set Drawing Scale

Use standard scales such as:

1:100 (most common)
1:50 (detailed drawings)
Maintain consistency with submission drawings.

🟢 Step 3: Draw Ground Line & Plinth Level

Mark Natural Ground Level (NGL)
Show Plinth Level (typically 450–600 mm above ground)
Indicate road level if required

🟢 Step 4: Project Building Features

From the floor plan:

Project walls vertically
Add doors, windows, ventilators
Show balcony projections and chajjas

🟢 Step 5: Define Floor Heights

Clearly mention:

Floor-to-floor height (e.g., 3.0 m)
Parapet height (e.g., 1.0 m)
Total building height

🟢 Step 6: Add Architectural Elements

Enhance elevation with:

Cladding / textures
Sunshades (Chajja)
Railings
Cornices
Glass panels

🟢 Step 7: Show Levels & Dimensions

Important levels to mark:

Ground Level
Plinth Level
Lintel Level
Roof Level
Parapet Level

Add vertical dimensions for approval clarity.

🟢 Step 8: Material & Finish Details

Mention materials such as:

Paint finish
Stone cladding
Brick texture
Glass curtain wall

🟢 Step 9: Follow Local Bye-Laws

Check compliance with:

Maximum height limit
Projection rules
Balcony restrictions
Architectural control guidelines

🟢 Step 10: Add Title Block & Notes

Include:

Project name
Owner name
Drawing title (Elevation)
Scale
Date
Architect/Engineer signature

Elevation Drawing in AutoCAD (Quick Workflow)

Open floor plan
Use XLINE / Projection lines
Draw vertical walls using LINE / POLYLINE
Add openings (doors/windows blocks)
Apply HATCH for materials
Add dimensions using DIMLINEAR

Use layers properly:

Layer Setup Example:

Wall
Window
Door
Text
Dimension
Hatch

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect building height
❌ Missing levels (plinth, roof)
❌ No dimensions
❌ Over-designed façade (not matching plan)
❌ Ignoring local authority rules

Checklist Before Submission

✔ All elevations (front, rear, sides) included
✔ Heights and levels clearly marked
✔ Scale mentioned
✔ Materials specified
✔ Matches floor plan exactly
✔ Signed by licensed professional

Conclusion

Creating an accurate elevation drawing is essential for obtaining building approval with ease. This not only ensures compliance with regulations but also defines the visual identity of your project.

By following the step-by-step process outlined above, you can easily create professional-quality elevation drawings that are ready for approval.

How to Prepare Elevation Drawings for Building Approval – Step-by-Step Guide