Accessing Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Search online for parcel maps, topographic maps, aerial photos, lot size, zoning, general plan, hazards, existing uses, document dates and other useful information!

1. Get To The GIS Web Page. Go to http://gis.co.lake.ca.us, read the GIS disclaimer, then click on "Lake County Base Maps".
   
   
2. Search for information by AP number: The current version of this site opens with the parcel layer turned on, and set as the active layer. This means that if you want to search the database by APN, you need only click on the button labeled “Find a Parcel”. Note: This site uses pop-ups. Any pop-up blockers must be disabled (usually by holding down Ctrl when clicking "Find" or "Identify"). After clicking on “Find a Parcel”, you should see a window labeled “Find”.
   
   
   
   On some browsers, the “Find” window may open behind the main browser window. If you do not see the “Find” window, minimize your web browser to find it. In the field labeled “Enter String to Find in Parcels”, type the parcel number of the parcel you’re searching for. Enter only first eight digits, with or without dashes (i.e., 123-456-78 or 12345678) and click “Find String”. The results will be displayed in a separate popup window. If the results window is empty, this means that there is no such parcel number in the database. There is a large amount of data for the program to search through, so give it plenty of time.
   
   
3. To zoom to the parcel on the map, click on the blue numeral “1” in the results window from step 2, located directly under the heading Field Name. See below:
   
   
   
   Again, give the program plenty of time. You can manipulate the map with the task bar on the left. You can pan, zoom and identify other property (using the identify tool will bring up additional information, such as parcel acreage). You can also refresh the map on the layers task bar to look at topographic maps, aerial photos, zoning, general plan, etc.
   
   
4. To print maps. Click on the “Print Map” tool on the left. This will bring up the print page setup dialog. Be sure to read the information regarding print quality. Then click the “Create Print Page” button. You can print the resulting map using your browser print function. Alternatively, from the main map, you can use the Alt-PrintScrn buttons to copy the map to your clipboard, and then paste it into an image editor or word processing document.