Placer County Now Provides Satellite Parcel Maps

Showing land can feel like an Easter egg hunt at times. If the corners of the property are not clearly marked by a surveyor or if there are no natural or man made boundaries that the seller or listing agent have indicated, it can leave you feeling frustrated and confused.

Recently while showing a piece of property in Lincoln to some nice folks from Phoenix, they brought along something they discovered on the Placer County website, which I had sent them to for zoning information.

Placer County now provides an interactive parcel map system that is overlaid on a satellite image of the parcel. This new tool was very useful during our tour of a few vacant lots, because the satellite image gave us reference points on the parcel map.

When using a traditional parcel map it can be difficult to determine where property lines are, unless there are fences or some other type of clear landmark. By having a satellite view, I was able to spot trees and structures that marked the edge of the property and I was able to determine the relative location of neighbors and roads.

Honestly, using this tool was one of those moments where I just marvel after modern technology. We may not wear silver jump suits or have flying cars, but we do have satellite images and general property lines available for free of almost every parcel in the county.

While this tool is neat and will be very useful, it is important to note that this type of tool can be used as a guide, but is not a replacement for a professional survey. There may come a day with satellites and GPS that we can get an accurate since of property lines from a map, but that day is not here yet. The only way to get an accurate since of property lines and corners is to hire a professional surveyor.

Being that it would be pretty expensive to higher a surveyor to ride around with you all day while you look at property, this new tool has a permanent place in the "good enough" tool belt. Once the right property has been found, a professional can be hired to mark the corners, but while you are out looking, this tool will definitely help.

To view the the new satellite parcel map tool, visit our Placer County Building Resources page and follow the Placer County Parcel Maps link.

If you have any questions about how to use the tool, let me know.