Cadastral Map Team

Mapping Overview

The Cadastral Map Team maintains tax maps of all parcels in Clark County. These maps are updated from available public records.  Mapping features from a variety of sources have been adjusted to achieve a best fit. As a result, while we strive to make our maps as accurate as possible, they are not survey-level accurate and are intended for tax purposes only. 

Land Divisions - recorded

Plats, Short Plats, the Condominium process and Binding Site Plan requirements are covered by RCW and the planning department ordinances of the property’s jurisdiction.  Cadastral Technicians update the tax map to reflect these recorded documents.

Other recorded documents (deeds, boundary line adjustments, court cases, etc.):  Cadastral Technicians will update the tax maps based on these documents; however, the resulting parcels may or may not meet the requirements for land subdivision consistent with planning department regulations. 

Land Alterations – requested

Property owners may combine, split, or boundary line adjust tax lots by request, for tax purposes.  Links to the forms are below.  Be aware that the resulting lots may or may not be considered legal lots; please contact the planning department in the property’s jurisdiction for this determination. 

• Combination Request
• Lot Reconfiguration Request

Legal Descriptions

A legal description is a method of describing property that is recognized by law, and includes the lot and block, metes & bounds, and government survey methods.  Legal descriptions are used when dividing property and conveying property ownership.

The Cadastral Technicians cannot write or provide legal descriptions*. Existing descriptions may be obtained from deeds of record (be aware that information from more than one recorded document may be required) available through the County Auditor’s Office. New descriptions may be written by a surveyor or other competent person and should clearly define the property.

*If your property was most recently updated by a Lot Reconfiguration Request, you can obtain a copy of the request from the Cadastral Technicians.

Property Lines

Tax maps should not be used to determine the location of property lines on the ground, or in relation to other features such as fences or buildings.  If your property is within a recorded plat or survey, you can access an image of that document by looking up your property on the Property Information Center and using the links provided there.  The plat or survey may show corner markers that will help you find your property lines.  If you cannot locate them, the best course of action is to contact a professional land surveyor. 

Parcel Acreage

The Cadastral Technicians rely on property descriptions, surveys and surveyor calculations to determine the size of tax lots.  The nature of data available affects the accuracy of the parcel size listed in the County property record.  Cadastral Technicians will review acreage if requested.

Easements

Easements are very difficult to research and have not historically been mapped with any degree of consistency.  Cadastral Technicians can look to see what information is readily available.  It is recommended that you review your deed as well as your title report for easement references.  Additionally, plats or surveys shown on your property record in the Property Information Center may depict easements.  Be aware that even if nothing is found in these sources, an easement could still exist; there is just no practical way to research them.

Situs Addresses

Situs (or “street”) addresses are assigned by the planning department of the jurisdiction in which the property lies. These addresses are provided to Clark County GIS for inclusion in the County property record.  For properties in unincorporated Clark County, contact the Community Development Department.

Mailing Addresses

Mailing Addresses shown in the County property record come from recorded documents and real estate excise tax affidavits.  Changes to the mailing addresses are done through the Assessor’s Office and can be requested using the Mailing Address Change site. 

Ownership changes are made primarily from deeds recorded with the County Auditor’s Office.  As each document must be reviewed by a technician, updates typically occur a few weeks following the recording date. 

Other Owner Updates

Property ownership is also updated from other documents of record, including deeds, court cases, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, legal name changes, etc. 

Documents not recorded with the Clark County Auditor’s Office must be provided to the Cadastral Technicians by the property owner.  A photocopy or scanned image is sufficient. 

Recorded Documents

Deeds and other documents are recorded with the County Auditor’s Office. Their page of the County website contains instructions on the recording process and fees, as well as a link to searching their document database. 

Q-Flags

A Q-flag on a property record means that there is a document pertinent to the property that is defective.  Causes could be an error in the legal description, missing conveyance, grantors not matching the current owners, or some other issue.  Contact the Cadastral Map Team for details.

Current Use

The Current Use program is administered by the Assessor’s Office. They can be contacted at current.use@clark.wa.gov or 564-397-2391.

Mobile Homes

Questions concerning Mobile Homes should be directed to the following departments, sorted by topic:

• Title: Auditor's Licensing Department
• Movement Permit or Taxes: Treasurer's Office
• Assessment/other inquiries: Email the Assessor’s Office at MobileHome_AST@clark.wa.gov or call 564-367-2391.