The county parcel viewer shows my line in a different place than I expected. Can I rely on it?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
No. County GIS parcel maps are drawn for tax and planning purposes. They aren't surveys and shouldn't be used to locate a line on the ground.
- Parcel lines are often traced from old maps and laid over aerial photos, so they can be shifted by several feet or more.
- The map usually carries a disclaimer saying it isn't a legal boundary.
- Aerial photos lean and distort, especially on slopes and near tall trees.
GIS maps are fine for a rough idea: roughly how big the lot is, who the neighbors are, and where easements might be. The legal location of the line comes from your deed, the recorded plat, and monuments found and verified by a licensed surveyor [1].
If the map worries you, order a boundary survey before you build anything or raise it with a neighbor.
General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.