Symbol Reference
Site & Civil Symbols Guide
Reference for utilities, drainage, grading, and site features on civil engineering drawings
APWA Uniform Color Code
🔴 Red - Electric
🟡 Yellow - Gas/Oil
🟠 Orange - Telecom
🔵 Blue - Water
🟢 Green - Sewer
🟣 Purple - Reclaimed
⚪ White - Proposed
⬛ Pink - Survey
Utilities - Underground
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ——W—— | Water Line | Often blue, shows pipe size |
| ——SS—— | Sanitary Sewer | Gravity flow, shows slope |
| ——SD—— | Storm Drain | Stormwater collection |
| ——G—— | Gas Line | Often yellow |
| ——E—— | Electric (Underground) | Power conduit |
| ——T—— | Telephone/Data | Communications conduit |
| ——FO—— | Fiber Optic | Data communications |
Utilities - Overhead
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ——OH—— | Overhead Electric | Power lines on poles |
| ——OHT—— | Overhead Telephone | Communications on poles |
| ○——○ | Power Poles | With span between |
Drainage Structures
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ⬡ | Manhole | Access to underground utilities |
| ▢ | Catch Basin | Surface water inlet |
| ◯ | Cleanout | Pipe access point |
| ▽ | Inlet/Outlet | Pipe termination |
| □D | Drop Inlet | Deep catch basin |
| ⊕ | Headwall | Pipe end structure |
Site Features
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ◎ | Existing Tree | To remain or remove |
| ○ | Proposed Tree | New planting |
| ⊗ | Tree to be Removed | Marked for removal |
| ▢ | Light Pole | Site lighting |
| ◇ | Sign | Traffic or wayfinding |
| △ | Fire Hydrant | Emergency water supply |
| □ | Transformer Pad | Electrical equipment |
Survey & Grading
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ⊕ | Property Corner | Survey monument |
| BM | Benchmark | Elevation reference point |
| ○ | Spot Elevation | Specific elevation callout |
| ⟿ | Contour Line | Equal elevation line |
| ━━ | Existing Contour | Current grade (often dashed) |
| ── | Proposed Contour | New grade (often solid) |
Pavement & Hardscape
| Symbol | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ┃┃┃ | Curb & Gutter | Edge of pavement |
| ▤ | Concrete Pavement | Hatched area |
| ▥ | Asphalt Pavement | Different hatch pattern |
| ┼┼ | Expansion Joint | Concrete joint |
| ═══ | Handicap Ramp | ADA accessible route |
Common Civil Abbreviations
BM
Benchmark
EL
Elevation
INV
Invert
FL
Flow Line
TC
Top of Curb
TW
Top of Wall
BW
Bottom of Wall
FF
Finish Floor
ROW
Right of Way
PL
Property Line
CL
Centerline
STA
Station
MH
Manhole
CB
Catch Basin
RCP
Reinforced Concrete Pipe
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
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