Your House Plan License,
In Plain English
When you buy a plan from Rocky Mountain Plan Company, you're purchasing a license to build that design. Here's what that means, what you can do with your plans, and how signing works.
A License, Not a Deed
House plans are protected by copyright, so buying one isn't quite like buying something off a shelf. What you're purchasing is a license to use the design: a legal agreement that gives you the right to build one home from that plan. Rocky Mountain Plan Company keeps ownership of the design, and you get the rights to build from it.
This is standard across the entire stock plan industry, and it's actually a good thing for you as a buyer. It's what keeps plan prices far lower than hiring an architect to design something from scratch, because the same design can be licensed to many builders over time. Your license is what makes that model work honestly and fairly for everyone involved.
What Your License Covers
✔ Build one home from your plan
Your Single-Structure License covers one structure, built from the plan as drawn or as modified for your project. Everything in the plan set is yours to use fully for that build.
✔ Print the copies your build needs
Your builder needs a set. So do your engineer, your subcontractors, your lender, and your building department. Print as many as it takes to get your home built.
✔ Share the plans with your build team
Engineers, architects, interior designers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, your lender: anyone helping you design, price, finance, permit, or build your home can work from your plans. Just let them know the plans are for your project only.
✔ Modify the plans for your site and your taste
Adapting the plans to meet local code, work with your materials, or fit the way you live is all part of the license. Rocky Mountain Plan Company keeps the copyright on the design, including any changes made to it. Changes made by you or your team are yours to stand behind, so have your local pros review them.
✔ See your name on every sheet
Your plans are printed with the licensee's name and license number. The licensee can be you or your business, so you choose the name that appears on the drawings when you fill out your agreement.
What's Not Covered
✘ Building a second home from the same plan
One license, one structure. If you want to build the plan again, even years later, you'll need an Unlimited Build License first. It's easy to add at any time — just reach out.
✘ Transferring the license
Licenses are non-transferable. They can't be sold, gifted, or assigned to another person or business.
✘ Passing the plans along
The plans are for your project. Sharing them with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone not involved in your build isn't covered.
✘ Selling or republishing the design
The design belongs to Rocky Mountain Plan Company and can't be resold, reproduced, or posted anywhere, in its original or modified form.
✘ Removing our title block or notes
The copyright notice, licensee and plan information, general notes, and disclaimers stay on every sheet as delivered, CAD files included. You're welcome to add to the drawings as you make modifications or site adjustments. Those pieces just need to stay put.
How Signing Works
After your purchase, we'll email your Single-Structure License Agreement or Unlimited Build License Agreement (whichever you chose at checkout), with two easy options to sign: digitally online, or by fillable PDF. It only takes a few minutes. Once you've signed, we countersign and send you the completed agreement for your records.
Your license terms apply from the moment you purchase, and your signed agreement is what we need to finalize your order and send your plan files. The agreement reflects exactly what's described on this page.
After signing, expect your plan files by email within 1–2 business days (Monday–Friday).
Planning to Build It More Than Once?
If you're a builder, developer, or anyone who wants to build the same plan more than once, an Unlimited Build License is available for $500, at checkout or any time after your original purchase, always at the same price. It covers as many homes as you'd like to build from the plan, whether you build them yourself or have them built for you. It doesn't extend to anyone else building the plan on their own.
Even if it's just one more home, the Unlimited Build License is how you add it. Simply get in touch and we'll get it sorted.
A Word on Copyright
Why This Matters
House plans are copyrighted works, the same way a book, a film, or a song is. Building from a plan without a valid license, or building it a second time without an Unlimited Build License, is copyright infringement, even when it wasn't intentional. U.S. copyright law provides for statutory damages of up to $30,000 per work, and up to $150,000 when the infringement is willful.
We don't share this to alarm anyone. Most buyers never give it a second thought, because they're building one home and their license covers everything they need. Knowing why the license exists just helps the whole thing make sense.
A Few More Questions and Answers
What if I'm not sure the plan is right for me?
Please reach out before you buy. Because plans are digital files that can be copied or printed as soon as they arrive, all sales are final once your files are delivered. We'd much rather answer your questions up front, whether they're about the plan, your lot, your budget, or what you can change.
Whose name goes on the license? Can my builder sign for me?
The license goes in the buyer's name: yours, or your business's if you're buying through one, and that's the name printed on your plans. Your builder works from your plans as part of your build team, but the license itself is between you and Rocky Mountain Plan Company. (If your builder is the one buying the plan, the license can be in their company's name.)
What if something's wrong with my files?
If a file won't open, is missing pages, or isn't the plan or version you ordered, contact us within 30 days of delivery and we'll send replacements at no cost. If you spot an error in the drawings themselves, let us know and we'll correct it.
I bought my plan through a partner site. Do I still sign a license with RMPC?
Yes. Your license is with Rocky Mountain Plan Company either way. Some partner sites collect your signature at their checkout, and in that case your countersigned agreement arrives with your plans. Otherwise, we'll email the agreement for you to sign. Questions about a specific order? Just get in touch.
Ready to Find Your Plan?
Everything you need to build with confidence is in our catalog.