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1. I can't find my parcel when I put in the address. Why not?

The property information applications search for the physical or situs address of the property in our database. Common reasons why the address may not be able to be located are:

• The address does not exist in the property information database.
• Address is new construction and has not been captured by our office (Addresses are not assigned by the Assessor's office so they do not show up in our system immediately).
• Address is one of multiple on a single parcel. (Assessor tracks one address per parcel.)
• Address does not exist within Snohomish County.
• Address is for vacant land (Assessor does not maintain addresses on vacant land).
• The address is incorrectly entered in our database or the address tables are not synchronized so that the address is available to the search mechanism.
• You have entered more data than necessary, entered an incorrect street number, or misspelled the street name.
• The address in our database may be incorrect due to changes that we were not notified of.
• In some cases an address may not show up in our database quickly because the information we maintain is only complete for the current tax year. There are cases where a parcel may not be taxable until a future year so our database may not have an address entry until the parcel becomes taxable.

2. I put an address into one of the many online mapping services. It found a location for the address, but when I search your system or use your map it can't find the address. Why not?

Most of the online mapping services match the information the user enters against a theoretical address range and then place the location where the address might possibly exist. They generally do not verify that the address does, in fact, exist; only that it could possibly exist near the location shown on their map.

3. Do your parcel maps show my legal property ownership?

Parcel maps do not show ownership even though the terms owner and ownership are often used when talking about the maps. The parcel maps depict boundaries of legal descriptions of record in the assessment roll. These legal descriptions are not limited to legal ownership and may be for administrative purposes only. Accurate property ownership boundaries can be determined by a licensed professional land surveyor.

4. How accurate are your maps?

The maps are as accurate as available resources allow us to make them. The Assessor's office has no ability to field verify location information when conflicts exist with written source documents. Many areas have limited information available that can be used to construct the maps. This can cause the accuracy of the maps to vary depending on location. The parcel maps are not surveys and should not be used as a definitive source of property ownership boundaries. Accurate property ownership boundaries can be determined by a licensed professional land surveyor.

5. When I look at the aerial photograph of my property on your map it looks like my neighbor is on my property. Is this correct?

The aerial photographs and parcel lines do not have the level of accuracy to determine if one property owner is encroaching on another. It may be necessary for a licensed surveyor to make this determination.

6. If the maps and aerial photographs are not accurate enough to determine property boundaries, why do you allow them to be shown together?

Viewing the parcel lines with the aerial photo can be beneficial for many purposes. Among these uses are:

• Determining how to gain access to a parcel
• Locating a parcel by its relationship to known structures
• Determining if a parcel has structures on it and determining if a parcel is cleared or wooded

7. Can you give me the GPS coordinates for my property corners?

Snohomish County does not maintain coordinates for locating property corners. Although this information could be generated from the computerized mapping data known as GIS that the county uses, the level of accuracy of the data is not sufficient to be used to definitively locate property boundaries. Even if absolutely accurate GPS coordinates could be provided, most commonly available lower cost GPS devices do not have sufficient positional accuracy for the purpose of locating property boundaries. They are generally designed only for navigational purposes. Accurate property ownership boundaries can be determined by a licensed professional land surveyor.

8. When I look at the aerial photograph of my property on your map, my property lines do not match up with the fence lines that can be seen on the photograph. Will you fix your map so that they match?

We compile the parcel lines from documents of record and do not change them to match property boundaries visible on aerial photography. The aerial photographs and parcel lines are compiled using different sources and methods and their accuracy standards are not the same.

9. Can you give me the exact dimensions of my property?

The Assessor's office can provide estimated dimensions for many properties based on the legal descriptions contained in our assessment roll and parcel maps compiled from these legal descriptions. Dimensions for properties that have been through a formal subdivision process may also be available from the Auditor's recorded document search application.

10. I measured from the painted stripe on the road and it looks like the road/my neighbor is on my property. What do I do?

Roadways that include the traveled road pavement, parking strip, curb, gutter, and sidewalk generally reside in a corridor of land known as a right of way. Roadway improvements and rights of way are distinctly different entities. Typically roadway improvements do not utilize the entire width of a right of way corridor. Roadway improvements like the painted stripe may also not be located in the center of the right of way corridor. Measuring from the painted centerline of the roadway may not provide a correct interpretation of where the edge of the right of way is located. Accurate property ownership boundaries can be determined by a licensed professional land surveyor.

11. My neighbor has put up a fence that I think is on my property. What can you do to help me?

The Assessor's Office has no ability to define, determine, or locate property boundaries. The Assessor's Office staff cannot provide legal advice on how to resolve a boundary dispute. We can provide any documentation that is generally available under applicable public disclosure laws such as our parcel maps and legal descriptions. You may need to seek legal counsel.

12. I am in a dispute with my neighbor regarding our property line. Can you suggest an attorney or surveyor to contact?

The Assessor's office cannot provide referrals to specific attorneys or surveyors. Many are listed in the yellow pages.