Layout of Construction Drawings 123
The north arrow is used to show the direction of magnetic north as a reference for naming particu-
lar sides or areas of the project. Moreover, surveyors label the property lines in accordance with the di-
rections normally found on a compass. This reference, in the form of an angle and its corresponding dis-
tance, is called the bearing of a line. The bearings of the encompassing property lines often provide the
legal description of the building lot. Larger projects usually need several site plans to show the different
scopes of related or similar work including drainage, utility plans, and landscaping plans.
Figure 6.6 Example of a topography site plan showing existing and proposed contours (source: United States
Air Force Landscape Design Guide).