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 exactly what that means, what you can do with your plans, and how the signing process works.
A License, Not a Deed
House plans are protected by copyright — which means buying a plan isn't quite like buying a product off a shelf. What you're purchasing is a license to use the design: a legal agreement that gives you the right to build that specific plan once, on one specific lot. Rocky Mountain Plan Company retains ownership of the design; 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 the plan once, on one lot
Your license is specific to one construction project — one home, on one piece of land. Everything in the plan set is yours to use fully for that build.
✔ Print as many copies as you need
Your builder needs a set. Your structural engineer needs a set. Your subcontractors, your lender, your building department — they all need copies. Your license covers unlimited printing for your single construction project. Print as many as your build team requires.
✔ Share plans with everyone on your build team
Handing plans to your general contractor, your engineer, your framing crew, your electrician, your building department — all of that is exactly what the license is for. Share freely with anyone directly involved in constructing your home.
✔ Modify the plans for your site and preferences
Need to adapt the plans to meet local code, fit your specific lot, or adjust something to your taste? Modifications are permitted under your license for site adaptation and personal customization. (Note: RMPC retains copyright over the original design and any modifications made from it.)
What's Not Covered
✘ Build the same plan on a second lot
Your license covers one build on one lot. If you want to build the same plan again — even years later, on a different property — you'll need a separate license for that project. It's easy to add — just reach out.
✘ Transfer the license to someone else
Licenses are issued in your name and are non-transferable. They can't be sold, gifted, or assigned to another person or entity.
✘ Share plans with anyone outside your build
The plans are for your construction project. Passing them along to a friend, a neighbor, or anyone not directly involved in building your home isn't covered by your license.
✘ Sell or republish the plans
The design belongs to Rocky Mountain Plan Company. It can't be resold, reproduced, or republished in any form.
How Signing Works — It's Quick
After your purchase is complete, we'll send your Single-Structure License Agreement or Unlimited Build License Agreement (depending on which option you choose before purchasing your plan) to you via Google Docs for a digital signature. Both you and Rocky Mountain Plan Company sign electronically — the whole thing takes a few minutes. Once it's signed, each of you receives a copy for your records, and your plan files are on their way within 1–2 business days.
There's nothing alarming in the agreement — it reflects exactly what's described on this page. We send it via Google Docs because it's simple, accessible, and creates a clean record for both parties without requiring any special software.
Planning to Build It More Than Once?
If you're a builder, developer, or anyone who wants to build the same plan on multiple lots, an Unlimited Build License is available for $500 — at checkout or any time after your original purchase, always at the same price. It extends all the rights of your standard license to as many builds as you'd like, with no per-build limit.
Need an additional license for just one more lot? A Single-Build Re-Use License is also available — just 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 piece of music is protected. Building from a plan without a valid license, or building the same plan a second time without an additional license, is a copyright infringement — even if it wasn't intentional. US copyright law provides for statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, and liability extends to all parties involved in unauthorized construction.
We don't lead with this to alarm anyone — the vast majority of buyers never think twice about it, because they're building once on one lot and the license covers everything they need. We mention it because understanding what the license is and why it exists helps the whole transaction make sense. Questions? Just ask.
A Few More Questions and Answers
What if I'm not sure the plan is right for me before I sign?
You're never locked in before signing — the license comes after purchase but before file delivery. If you have concerns about whether a plan is right for your lot or project, please reach out before you buy. We'd much rather answer your questions up front.
Can my builder sign the license on my behalf?
No — licenses are issued in the purchaser's name and must be signed by the purchaser. Your builder receives the plans as part of your build team, but the license relationship is between you and Rocky Mountain Plan Company.
I bought my plan through a partner platform. Do I still sign a license with RMPC?
If you purchased through Architectural Designs, America's Best House Plans, The House Plan Company, or another partner platform, your license agreement may be handled through that platform. Contact us if you have questions about your specific order and we'll help you sort it out.
Ready to Find Your Plan?
Ready to find your plan? Everything you need to build with confidence is in our catalog.