If you’re building a stormwater facility in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia, the jurisdiction has to approve a certified as-built plan before your project can close out. The plan is signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer. It shows how the facility was actually built compared with the approved design, including every change made in the field.
Below, we cover what as-built drawings are, how certification works, what each jurisdiction requires and who can sign off.
What Are Certified As-Built Drawings?
Sometimes referred to as “red-lined” prints, record drawings, or as-built site plans, as-built drawings illustrate how a stormwater facility is actually built versus the originally approved design. Traditionally marked up by the contractor throughout construction, as-built drawings aim to tell the complete story of the construction process, including revisions made to the approved design along the way. As-builts reflect the precise dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work completed under the contract.
For stormwater facilities, as-built drawings typically reflect significant modifications made during construction to essential facility elements like:
- Locations
- Materials
- Dimensions
- Grading specifications
- Storage volume and functionality
- Design computations
- Vegetation
As-Built Drawings vs. Record Drawings vs. As-Built Surveys
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same thing:
- As-built drawings (red-lines): the contractor marks changes on the approved plans during construction.
- As-built survey: a surveyor measures actual elevations, dimensions and locations in the field after construction.
- Certified as-built plan: the red-lines and survey data are combined into a final plan set that a licensed engineer signs and seals for the jurisdiction.
How Does the As-Built Certification Process Work?
Typically, as-built plans begin the certification process following the construction phase. To meet as-built site plan requirements, a statement of certification must be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer (P.E.), like those on staff here at DFM Development Services, LLC. The certification statement attests that the as-built site plan represents actual site conditions and that all stormwater best management practices (BMPs), stormwater infrastructure, and land covers will comply with requirements when properly maintained and operated.
The process generally follows these steps:
- Track field changes on red-lined plans during construction.
- Complete stormwater inspections at key construction milestones.
- Survey the finished facility to confirm elevations, volumes and dimensions.
- Prepare the as-built plan set and update calculations where needed.
- Have a licensed P.E. sign and seal the certification.
- Submit the package to the jurisdiction for review and approval.
Certified as-built drawings are often closely associated with stormwater inspections. When conducted during stormwater facility construction, stormwater inspections can document how the facility and surrounding land change as work progresses. Inspection data can then be used to inform and expedite as-built plan creation. Learn more in our blog, Annual vs. Post-Construction Stormwater Inspections: What’s the Difference?
Why Are Certified As-Built Drawings Necessary?
Certified as-built plans in stormwater construction are necessary for several reasons.
- They’re required by law. Certified as-built plans are a jurisdictional requirement for stormwater contractors in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. While each jurisdiction has its own unique standards, they all require entities constructing public and private stormwater management systems and storm drainage systems to submit certified as-built plans. In Virginia, the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program (VESMP), which replaced the VSMP on July 1, 2024, requires a construction record drawing for permanent stormwater management facilities.
- They’re tied to project closeout. Many jurisdictions won’t release performance bonds or close stormwater permits until the certified as-built is approved. See: What Are the Requirements for Bond Release?
- They serve as a legacy record. In the event of future development or ownership changes, developers, designers, contractors, and property owners can turn to the certified as-built plan as a source of trusted and accurate information from which to build upon.
- They make maintenance faster. Stormwater facilities often require maintenance or renovations. Certified as-built drawings provide a thorough and detailed blueprint of a facility’s history, allowing contractors to get up to speed faster and complete projects in less time.
As-Built Requirements by Jurisdiction
| Jurisdiction | Who Signs | Deadline | What to Submit |
| Washington, D.C. | P.E. licensed in DC | Within 21 days of final inspection | One Mylar copy of the as-built SWM plan plus the DOEE as-built form |
| Maryland | Licensed P.E. (some counties have their own specific requirements) | Set by the county or local approving agency | As-built certification under COMAR 26.17.02, on county forms |
| Virginia | Professional registered in Virginia | Before permit termination or closeout | Construction record drawing under the VESMP (9VAC25-875) |
Note: Requirements vary by county and city, so always confirm with the local reviewing authority before submitting.
Who Prepares Certified As-Built Drawings?
In Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, certified as-built drawings must be stamped and sealed by a licensed professional engineer or another recognized Registered Design Professional (RDP). In DC, for example, DOEE requires the as-built plan to be certified by a professional engineer licensed in the District. For projects entirely within the public right-of-way, DOEE also accepts a record drawing certified by an officer of the contracting company.
Several jurisdictions in the Greater Washington DC region also require select as-built plan elements like stormwater calculations and stormwater profiles to be signed explicitly by a licensed professional engineer. With the unique compliance complexities of stormwater as-builts, a licensed professional engineer is your best bet for as-built certification.
Need a Certified As-Built Plan? DFM Can Help
DFM Development Services, LLC’s professional engineers are licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia and certify as-builts for all types of stormwater facilities and BMPs. We can work with you from the start of construction or pick up where your team left off after the project is complete.
Beyond as-builts, we help developers, contractors, homebuilders and property owners across the D.C. metro region get through red tape faster. Our services include Environmental Compliance, Bond Management, Permit Expediting, Dry Utility Coordination, and Traffic Control Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Stormwater As-Built Certification? It’s a signed and sealed statement from a licensed engineer confirming that a stormwater facility was built according to the approved plans, or documenting exactly where and how it differs.
How Long Do I Have to Submit an As-Built in DC? DOEE requires the as-built package within 21 days of the final inspection.
Can a Contractor Certify Their Own As-Built? Usually not. DC, Maryland and Virginia generally require a licensed P.E. or registered professional. One exception: DC allows a contractor-certified record drawing for projects entirely within the public right-of-way.
What Happens If the As-Built Doesn’t Match the Approved Plan? The reviewer may require revised calculations, corrective work or a plan revision before approval. That can delay bond release and permit closeout.
