Preliminary soil PDF · from $19
Soil Report for Building Permit Drawings
A one-address preliminary soil report from USDA data, formatted for site plans, permit sets and project files. See a free preview first.
Recommended
Standard PDF · $29
Most permit sets need slope, flooding, restrictive layers and a full soil map, which start at Standard.
- Everything in Basic
- Full component breakdown
- Slope
- Flooding / ponding
- Restrictive features
- Full soil map
Choose your tier after the free preview. One flat price per address.
What’s in a permit soil report
Soil map unit and components
The USDA map unit under the address and the soils it contains, with percentages.
Drainage and hydrologic group
Drainage class and hydrologic soil group (A–D), used in runoff and stormwater narratives.
Slope and restrictive layers
Mapped slope range, depth to bedrock or dense layers, and minimum water table depth.
Flooding and ponding
USDA flooding and ponding frequency classes for the map unit.
Soil map
A labeled soil map of the property and the map units around it.
Citable data source
Survey area, version date and the SSURGO tables each value came from.
How It Works
Enter the project address
We find the USDA soil map unit at the address and show a free preview.
Check the free preview
Confirm the location and the soil before you pay. Move the pin if needed.
Pick your report
Standard ($29) suits most permit sets; Pro adds engineering ratings.
Add it to your drawings
Download the PDF and cite it in site-plan notes or the stormwater narrative.
When it’s enough, and when it isn’t
Good for
- Site-plan soil notes and stormwater narratives
- Early design, before a geotechnical scope is set
- Showing the reviewer the mapped soil type for a building permit
- Additions and renovations where soil context is requested
Not a substitute for
- A geotechnical investigation with borings or test pits
- Infiltration or percolation testing
- Bearing capacity or foundation design values
- A wetland delineation or permit approval
Frequently Asked Questions
Using a soil report for building permits: what reviewers see and what you still need.
Will this soil report satisfy my building permit?
It depends on your jurisdiction and project. Many plan reviewers accept USDA SSURGO soil information as preliminary site context, for example in site-plan notes or stormwater narratives. Projects with new foundations, retaining walls or infiltration practices often also need a site-specific geotechnical report. Ask your plan reviewer what they need.
Which report should I buy for permit drawings?
Most permit sets use the Standard PDF ($29): it adds slope, flooding and ponding, restrictive layers, the full component breakdown and a full soil map. Choose Pro PDF ($49) if your engineer wants the soil profile by horizon and USDA engineering ratings.
Is this a geotechnical report?
No. It is a preliminary soil-context report built from regional USDA soil-survey data. Nobody visits the site or drills borings. For bearing capacity, settlement or foundation design values you need a geotechnical engineer.
Where does the data come from?
The USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried live through Soil Data Access, the same data behind Web Soil Survey. Each report lists the survey area and its version date.
How fast do I get the PDF?
The free preview appears in a few seconds. After checkout the PDF is ready on the confirmation page and is also emailed to you.
Which addresses are covered?
We currently cover Washington, DC. We record searches outside coverage so we know where to expand next.
Get the soil report for your permit set
Free preview first. Pay only if the data is what you need.
More soil tools and guides
- Soil Type LookupFree soil type, drainage and hydric rating for any address.
- DC Soil Boring & DOEE Permit GuideWhen DC projects need borings, permits and a geotech.
- DC DOEE Soil & Stormwater ChecklistErosion control and stormwater triggers, step by step.
- Hydric Soil & Drainage ScreeningHydric rating, drainage class, flooding and water table.
- Septic Soil Suitability ReportUSDA septic absorption field rating for a property.
- SSURGO Parcel Reports for EngineersComponent, horizon and engineering data by address.
- SSURGO Soil Data APISoil data by address or coordinates, as JSON.
This report is based on USDA-NRCS SSURGO regional soil-survey data and is intended for preliminary screening only. It is not a geotechnical investigation, soil boring report, environmental assessment, or permit approval.