How to Find Floor Plans by Address

If you’re trying to find floor plans by address, the reality is nuanced: you usually can’t reliably pull full architectural blueprints just from an address, but you can often find some version of a layout (or at least a footprint) through public records, listing attachments, or building contacts.

The key is knowing which “floor plan” you actually need. A marketing-friendly layout for a listing is very different from a sealed permit set, and an “as-built” may not match what’s currently there.

Below is a practical 2026 workflow that starts with free sources, then moves to paid options when records are missing.

Quick answer: the fastest ways to get floor plans

Here are the top places to look when you need something usable quickly.

Top 5 places to look (in order):

1. County assessor / property appraiser record (often exterior sketch/footprint)
2. City/county permit portal (sometimes plan sets; often drawings on file)
3. MLS attachments via a listing agent (common for newer listings)
4. Builder, HOA, or property manager archives (best for condos and planned communities)
5. Scan-to-plan service (fastest reliable fallback)

Check local permit/assessor records

• Start with the assessor/appraiser site to confirm basics: parcel ID, year built, finished square footage, and sometimes a building sketch.
• Then check the permit portal for remodels/additions that might explain layout changes.

Why it’s fast: it’s self-serve, address-based, and usually searchable in minutes.

Ask the listing agent/MLS attachments (if applicable)

If the home is currently listed (or recently sold), the agent may have:

• A marketing floor plan PDF
• A 3D tour package that includes a 2D layout
• Builder brochures for tract homes

Tip: ask specifically for “MLS supplements/attachments” and “previous listing packet.”

Contact the builder/HOA or property manager

This is often the best route for:

• Condos, townhomes, and multi-family buildings
• Master-planned communities with repeated models

Ask for “original model floor plan,” “marketing brochure,” or “community plan library.”

Use a scan-to-floor-plan service as a fallback

When you need a reliable layout quickly and can access the interior, scanning is usually the most dependable route.

• Works even when nothing is on file
• Produces a clean deliverable you can use for marketing

Free methods (what to try first)

County assessor / property appraiser websites: what you can and can’t find

Assessor records vary by county, but commonly include:

• Parcel details (APN/parcel ID)
• Building characteristics (beds/baths, year built, square footage)
• A building sketch or exterior footprint (sometimes per-floor outlines)

What you typically won’t get for free:

• Full interior room-by-room layouts
• A detailed “house drawing inside” with wall thicknesses, cabinetry, electrical, etc.

Workflow:

1. Search the address → open the property detail page.
2. Download/print any sketch cards.
3. Compare the sketch square footage to what’s being marketed (to spot additions).

Building permits & plan sets: how to search the permit portal

Permits are where you’re most likely to find drawings tied to legal work (additions, kitchen remodels, ADUs). Availability depends on jurisdiction.

How to search efficiently:

• Search by address and by parcel ID (some systems index differently).
• Filter by permit type: “addition,” “remodel,” “residential building,” “structural.”
• Check attachments: some portals store PDFs under “Documents,” “Plans,” or “Plan Review.”

If documents aren’t online: call or email the building department and ask:

• Whether plan sets are public records
• Whether you can request “permit history with associated plan sheets”
• Fees and turnaround times

City planning archives (older homes): requesting records

For older properties, drawings may live in archives, microfilm, or offsite storage.

What to request (be specific):

• “Building permit card and associated plan sheets”
• “Certificate of occupancy history”
• “Historic property file” (if applicable)

Practical tip: bring the legal description or parcel ID; older addresses can change.

Real-estate listings (current and past): where floor plans may be stored

Even if a listing is no longer active, floor plans may exist in:

• Agent listing packages
• Brokerage marketing folders
• 3D tour providers’ exports

Where to look:

• The current listing’s media tab (if active)
• The agent’s website (sometimes hosts PDFs)
• Past listing screenshots/archives (useful for model matching)

If you only find a low-res image, a drafter can often redraw a clean 2D plan from it.

When free methods fail: paid options

Scan-to-plan services (LiDAR/phone scans) and typical deliverables

Scan-to-plan is often the fastest way to get an accurate layout when records are unavailable.

Common inputs:

• LiDAR phone/tablet scan (newer devices)
• 360 camera walkthrough
• Professional onsite measurement

Typical deliverables:

• 2D floor plan (branded/unbranded)
• Room labels and basic measurements
• Total square footage estimates (method varies)

Decision criteria:

• Choose scanning when speed and accuracy matter and you have access.
• Choose redraw when you have decent existing visuals but can’t access the property.

Architect/drafter redraw from photos or sketches

If you can’t scan, you can still produce a clean marketing plan:

• Send photos, a rough sketch with measurements, or a prior listing plan
• Request a simplified 2D plan suitable for MLS and brochures

This is also the option when you have a partial “house drawing inside” but need a consistent, readable format.

Title/inspection report attachments: when they include layouts

Occasionally, inspections or appraisal packages include diagrams or basic layouts.

Notes:

• These are not guaranteed, and access depends on who ordered the report.
• Always confirm permission to reuse any diagrams for marketing.

Common obstacles (and how to handle them)

No plan on file / plans sealed / privacy restrictions

It’s common to hit one of these walls:

• Plans were never digitized
• The permit is recorded but drawings aren’t attached online
• Some documents are restricted or require an owner authorization

What to do:

• Ask what is available: permit history, exterior footprint, final inspection notes
• Request a records search by parcel ID
• Use scan-to-plan or redraw if you need a usable marketing floor plan

Additions not permitted: how to spot mismatches

A frequent reason plans don’t match reality is unpermitted work.

Red flags to check:

• Assessor square footage is materially lower than what’s marketed
• Extra bedrooms/baths not reflected in public records
• Strange rooflines or additions visible on aerial imagery

Practical approach:

• Treat public sketches as “baseline,” then verify changes via permits or an onsite scan.

Condos & multi-family: HOA/building manager best path

For condos and apartments, the building department may not have unit-level interior layouts accessible by address.

Best path:

• HOA, property manager, or developer archive
• Ask for “unit type” or “stack” floor plan (e.g., Plan A1, B2)

If you get a model plan, confirm it matches the specific unit (mirrors and end units often differ).

New construction: builder marketing packet vs permit plans

New builds often have two versions:

• Marketing floor plan: simplified, buyer-friendly, great for listings
• Permit set: technical drawings, may be restricted, and not ideal for MLS

For marketing needs, ask the builder sales office for the community brochure or model plan library first.

What to do once you have a floor plan (for marketing)

Create a clean 2D version for listings

Even if you have permit drawings, a simplified plan usually performs better in listings:

• Clear room names and flow
• Minimal technical symbols
• Optional furniture outlines for scale

If you’re producing listing media, it helps to coordinate the floor plan with your broader visual package, including digital media rendering in real estate.

Turn plans into simple room labels and measurements

Make the plan immediately useful to buyers:

• Consistent room labels (Primary Bedroom vs Master, etc.)
• Key dimensions where they matter (main living areas)
• Notes for features: pantry, laundry, walk-in closet, separate entry

Avoid over-promising precision unless it was professionally measured. Use “approx.” where appropriate.

Pair floor plans with before/after visuals for renovation potential (conceptual)

Floor plans are the backbone for conceptual marketing:

• “As-is” layout + a proposed alternate layout (clearly labeled conceptual)
• Simple furniture staging overlays
• 3D concept visuals that match the plan flow

Tools and workflows vary; see 3D home planner alternatives for real estate and interior design apps for real-estate visuals for options.

Key takeaways

• Emphasize legality/privacy: access depends on jurisdiction and building type.
• Differentiate ‘as-built’ vs ‘permit set’ vs ‘marketing floor plan’.
• Provide a decision tree to reduce pogo-sticking and match commercial intent.