Background: A base map or base plan shows the layout of the property and accurately locates
the permanent site elements on a residential lot. In urban areas and
developments, lots have typically been surveyed. You may already have a copy of your deed map
or property survey (or can obtain one from your local municipality). If you
live in Los Angeles County, you can view the official deed map for your
property on-line at the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office site : http://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/mapping/viewer.asp
Just type in your street address and
city to view the appropriate deed map.
If a property survey has been done, it should
show all property edges, setbacks and right of ways, building and pavement
locations, and other permanent site elements.
If no property survey exists, you
may want to have a survey conducted by a reputable surveyor. This will help you correctly locate permanent
structures on your property as well as adjacent property lines, fences,
pavement, etc. Having a recent survey
map will save you time and effort constructing your base map.
We suggest that you construct two base maps: one that just includes
the physical features (Base Map 1) and a second that also includes
any existing plants you will retain in your new landscape (Base Map 2). You can use a copy of Base Map 1 to draw Base
Map 2. And you will use copies of Base
Map 2 to construct the maps you’ll need for your for site assessments,
functional analysis and drawing the landscape plan.
Constructing
Base Map 1:
To construct Base Map 1, start by redrawing
the property survey to scale at a larger size. For properties under an acre in size, a scale
of 1"=10' is an appropriate scale. For smaller urban properties your scale may be
even larger. You want a scale that is
large enough to show details, but small enough to be photocopied.
You may find it easiest to use simple ruled
(quadrille) paper to help you draw your base map. If you want to draw it freehand, we suggest using
an architectural ruler or an engineer's scale (these supplies are available at
most drafting or art shops). We
recommend drawing your plan first in pencil; then ink in the lines for the
final base map.
Example: Base Map 1 for typical local home. Lot size is 60 ft. by 80 ft. |
The base map should show the following
information:
- all property lines.
- bodies of water (streams, lakes, ponds, low areas with seasonal
flooding)
- buildings,
including basic floor plan with doors and windows noted
- downspouts
- outside water spigots
- outside electrical outlets
- decks and overhangs
- air conditioner units
- all walls, fences, utility boxes and poles, fire hydrants, etc.
- roads, drives, parking areas, walks and paths, patios, swimming
pools
- on and off site utilities including electric, telephone, gas,
water, sewer, septic tanks and field drains.
- off site elements including adjoining roads and drives, bodies of
water, and structures that may influence your design.
- compass directions showing north, east, south and west.
- the scale size of the base plan.
We strongly
suggest you read the helpful article ‘Drawing a Landscape Plan: The Base Map’
before drawing your base map (http://www.caes.uga.edu/Publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7444).
Once your Base Map
1 is completed, make 3 or more photocopies of it. Store the original in a safe place.
Base Map 2 for our Example Home |
Constructing
Base Map 2:
Using a copy of Base Map 1, draw an outline
of any pre-existing plants you wish to retain in your new landscape. Be sure to draw the plants to scale and
locate the accurately. For example, the
outline of a tree should show the extent of it’s spread (as if you were looking
down on it from above). Do not fill
in the outline, since you may want to plant other plants under the
tree. Once your Base
Map 2 is completed, make 7 or more photocopies of it. Store
the original in a safe place. You will use the copies to map the physical characteristics of your
site, the irrigation system, etc. You
will also use copies to develop your landscape plan.
DO NOT DRAW
DIRECTLY ON YOUR ORIGINAL BASE MAPS
Other helpful resources on drawing a landscape base map
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