Mapping

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• What is an Assessor's Parcel Map?

  An Assessor's Parcel Map is a map maintained by the Marin County Assessor's Office that delineates the boundaries and identifies ownership of all Assessor Parcels in Marin County. The Assessor's Office prepares and maintains approximately 90,000 individual parcels on 3,500 Assessor Map pages. The Assessor Parcel Maps are continuously updated to reflect new subdivisions, surveys, lot line adjustments and other map changes. For more information, please contact the Marin County Assessor Mapping Division via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• How can I view my property on an Assessor's Parcel Map?

  The Assessor Parcel Maps can be viewed on the Marin County Assessor-Recorder- County Clerk website. You will need your eight-digit parcel number (example 123-456-48) in order to view the Assessor Parcel Map page online. You can locate your parcel number on your valuation notice, tax bill, deed, or by calling the Marin County Assessor at (415) 473-7215 or via email.

  If you don't have computer access, you can view the full set of Assessor Parcel Maps at the Marin County Assessor's Office located at Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is a $5 charge for each 11"x17" copy of an Assessor Parcel Map.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• Can I have recorded maps or survey copies emailed to me?

  Yes. The Marin County Recorder will email copies of recorded maps or surveys upon receipt of request and payment.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• Where can I get a copy of the legal description of my property?

  A copy of the legal description for your property can be found on the deed that was recorded when you purchased your property. If you do not have a copy of your deed, you can get a copy at the Marin County Recorder's Office located at the Marin Civic Center Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM excluding major holidays.

  You can view the Grantor/Grantee index online at any time, or in the Recorder's lobby during business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday) at the Marin County Civic Center Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael CA.

  Official records from 1/2/1973 to the present are searchable electronically online and on-site at the Marin County Recorder. Older records may be researched on-site at the Marin County Recorder's Office at the Marin County Civic Center Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael CA. The online search will only provide you with the document number and index information, but you will not be able to view an image of the recorded document. Please be aware that document images can only be viewed on-site at the Recorder's Office, however, the Marin County Recorder will email copies of documents upon receipt of request and payment. Recorder's staff can also offer assistance in search techniques but cannot perform searches on your behalf. Title companies and legal experts can offer further assistance in locating records or performing searches.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• I have my deed but I don't understand the legal description. Can the Assessor help me?

  Please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays. The Marin County Assessor cannot verify your legal description. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903.

• What are the dimensions or size of my property?

  Approximate dimensions of your parcel can be found on the Assessor Parcel Map. You will need your ten-digit parcel number (example 123-456-48) in order to view the appropriate Assessor Parcel Map page online. You can locate your parcel number on your valuation notice, tax bill, deed, or by calling the Marin County Assessor at (415) 473-7215 or via email. The Assessor Parcel Maps can also be viewed on the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk website by Search Assessor Records - By Map Book.

  If you don't have computer access, you can view the full set of Assessor Parcel Maps at the Marin County Assessor's Office located at Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903.There is a $5 charge for each paper copy of an Assessor Parcel Map.

  Please note the Assessor Parcel Maps are designed for assessment purposes only. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the data shown on the Assessor Parcel Map. Assessor parcels may not comply with local subdivision or building ordinances.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. You can also contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• What are my property boundaries?

  Your property boundaries are defined by the legal description on your deed. The language on the deed typically references distances and bearings. It may also reference a specific lot or parcel of a Subdivision or Parcel Map which has the legal boundaries delineated on the recorded map.

  To identify the physical boundaries of your property, you will need to contact a Professional Land Surveyor or Civil Engineer. Professional Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers are licensed by the State of California and may be verified at the License Look-up for California-Licensed Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Professional Land Surveyor contact information can be found in the local phone book or on the Internet.

  Members of the Marin County Assessor-Recorder- County Clerk staff are forbidden by California legal codes to practice law or provide legal advice.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. You can also contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• I think the fence between me and my neighbor is in the wrong location. How can I verify that?

  If you have a disagreement with your neighbor over the placement of a fence, this is a private civil matter. The Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk has no jurisdiction over these issues. We recommend that you hire a Professional Land Surveyor to survey the property boundaries to resolve the issue.

  Members of the Marin County Assessor-Recorder- County Clerk staff are forbidden by California legal codes to practice law or provide legal advice.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. You can also contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• How do I locate or define my property line?

  If you are trying to locate the property lines or corners of your parcel for legal purposes, we recommend you contact a Professional Land Surveyor. If you are just trying to read or understand the information on the Assessor Parcel Map page that includes your property, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• How can I get my property surveyed?

  You will need to contact a Professional Land Surveyor. Professional Land Surveyor contact information can be found in the local phone book or on the Internet.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. You can also contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• How can I tell if there have been any surveys on my property?

  Assessor's Parcel Maps may reference Records of Surveys or other Record Maps within a given area. On the Assessor's Parcel Map, parcels or blocks of parcels with bolded corners and a reference number indicate Record Maps are available for the designated area. Recent Records of Surveys are also entered into the Grantor/Grantee index under the name(s) of the person who requested the Record of Survey, i.e. "SURVEY SMITH".

  The Record Maps and Surveys can be viewed in person at the Marin County Recorder's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael 94903. Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays. Please note that the lack of notation of a recorded map or survey on an Assessor Parcel Map does not mean a Record Map or Survey does not exist. It is always best to check with the Marin County Recorder to confirm the presence (or lack thereof) of a Record Map or Survey.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. You can also contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

  Survey Corner Records are maintained on file in the Marin County Department of Public Works Land Use Division located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 304, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 or online at Public Works Corner Records.

• How can I find out about easements on my property?

  Easements can be created by maps, by deeds, or by agreements between parties.

  An easement may be referenced in the legal descriptions of a recorded deed. Documents creating easements may be recorded separately from or after the original deed is recorded. These documents can be found by searching under the property owner's name in the Grantor/Grantee index. Official records from 1/2/1973 to the present are searchable electronically online and on-site; older records may be researched on-site at the Marin County Recorder's Office at the Marin County Civic Center Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael CA 94903. An online search will only provide you with the document number and index information but you will not be able to view an image of the recorded document. Please be aware that document images can only be viewed on-site at the Recorder's Office. Recorder's staff can offer assistance in search techniques but cannot perform searches on your behalf. Title companies and legal experts can offer further assistance in locating records or performing searches.

  Often the easiest way to locate an easement is by obtaining a Preliminary Title Report from a title company.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• Is my property located in a town/city or in the unincorporated area of Marin County?

  Each Assessor Parcel Number (APN) is assigned to a certain Tax Rate Area (TRA) which is identified by a six-digit number. The TRA code assigned to your parcel appears on your tax bill. The first three (3) digits is the primary code. Each primary code number is for a specific jurisdiction. If the first three digits are 011 or lower, your property is located within an incorporated town or city. If the first three digits are greater than 011, then your property is located within the unincorporated area of Marin County.

  If you cannot find your TRA, you can call the Marin County Assessor at (415) 473-7215 or by email to get that information.

  Please note that the United States Post Office may designate or associate your property with a particular city; however, the property is only within the town/city boundary if the Tax Rate Area (TRA) identifies it as being in the town or city.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the Marin County Assessor located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903.

• I want to subdivide my property. What do I need to do?

  Any questions regarding subdividing your property must be directed to the planning department of the jurisdiction where your property is located. For property located within the unincorporated area of Marin County, you will need to contact the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Division at (415) 473-6269. For all other properties, you will need to contact the town or city planning department.

• What is the zoning of my property?

  The Marin County Assessor does not show zoning on the Assessor Parcel Maps. If your property is in the city or town limits, contact the town/city planning department. If your property is located within the unincorporated area in the County of Marin, please contact the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Division at (415) 473-6269.

• I want to sell off a portion of my property, and the lender is requiring a new parcel number on the portion to be sold. Will the Assessor comply with this request?

  No, the Assessor's parcels maps are for assessment purposes only. The fact that an outside entity such as a lender or title company has its own requirements does not necessitate an action by the Assessor. Upon recordation or close of escrow, the Assessor will be required by law to assign new parcel number(s) to the newly created parcels caused by the selling of the portion of the property.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• I have two or more Assessor parcel numbers that I want to combine into a single Assessor parcel number so I will only receive one annual property tax bill. Is this possible?

  You may be eligible for an Assessor Parcel Combination to combine your multiple parcels into a single parcel for assessment purposes. Please note that application for an Assessor Parcel Combination does not result in the immediate issuance of a new single Assessor Parcel Number (APN).

  Combining two or more properties together is possible if certain requirements are met. An Assessor Parcel combination is two or more Assessor Parcels combined into one Assessor's Parcel resulting in a single annual property tax bill. Assessor Parcel combinations are completed for property assessment purposes only. This action does not imply legal lot status nor does it constitute legal lot approval by any planning/building authority. If you have any questions regarding legal lots, you should contact the appropriate planning/building authority where the property is located.

  Assessor Parcel Combination Requests are subject to the following conditions:

  • Parcels to be combined must be in the same Tax Rate Area (TRA).
  • Parcels to be combined must be contiguous.
  • Parcels to be combined must be in the exact same ownership with same titles.
  • Property taxes for all parcels to be combined must NOT be delinquent.
  • Parcels are not noted as two or more distinct parcels of record as defined on official subdivision maps (Parcel 1, 2, or A, B, etc.) filed with the Marin County Recorder.
  • Parcels cannot be combined if one or more parcels are covered by an individual Notice of Merger (Owners need to contact the Planning Department of the local jurisdiction for information related to Notices of Merger.)

  Note: If one parcel is under Open Space contract or Williamson Act and the other parcel(s) is/are not, the parcels cannot be combined for assessment purposes.

  The fee for an Assessor Parcel Combination is $150 payable by cash or check made payable to the Marin County Assessor.

  If you plan to apply for an Assessor Parcel combination or need additional information, please contact the Assessor Mapping staff at (415) 473-5073 or via email beforehand so that the Assessor Mapping staff can verify that you meet the conditions as shown above.

  Applications for an Assessor Parcel Combination must be made in person at the Office of the Marin County Assessor located in Room 208 of the Marin Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• My Assessor Parcel number (APN) was changed. When does the parcel number change become effective?

  A parcel number change done as a result of a recorded map or recorded deed between January 1 and December 31 of any given year is effective for the following Roll year. For example, a document filed November 15, 2012 will be effective for the 2013 Roll property tax bill that will be mailed in October 2013.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• I didn't request a new Assessor parcel number. Why was my Assessor parcel number changed?

  The Marin County Assessor is constantly updating and improving the Assessor Parcel Maps. Sometimes it is necessary to administratively change your Assessor Parcel Number (APN) due to our Assessor Parcel Map page layout and computer system limitations. Other reasons for changes to Assessor Parcel Map pages are land divisions, lot line adjustments, mergers, parcel combination, and tax rate code changes.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• Are the parcels on the Assessor's maps "legal" parcels?

  Not necessarily. The Assessor's maps are developed and maintained for assessment purposes only. You must contact the Planning Department of your local jurisdiction to get information regarding the legality of a given parcel. If your property is in the city or town limits, contact the town/city planning department. If your property is located within the unincorporated area in the County of Marin, please contact the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Division at (415) 473-6269.

• How do I obtain Marin County GIS information?

  The Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk does not manage the GIS System in Marin County. There are two ways to access Marin County GIS Data. You can access the GIS data through the Marin County website or via MarinMap.

• I received a letter stating that there was a problem identifying my parcel. Do I need to re-record a new deed even though I used a title company?

  The Marin County Assessor-Recorder- County Clerk occasionally needs to send letters to property owners when the legal description shown on a recorded deed does not properly identify the Assessor Parcel. Sometimes title companies make mistakes in filing deeds, so you are not exempt if you used a title company. You should correct the document whenever possible, as it is the legal basis for your property ownership.

  The Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk does not verify, insure or guarantee title. If you used a title company, that should be your first stop toward getting the issue resolved. If you did not use a title company, you may need to seek legal help from an attorney or Professional Land Surveyor. The Assessor’s office cannot give you legal advice.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

• Why doesn't the Assessor divide parcels with a Certificate of Compliance?

  A Certificate of Compliance is issued by the planning department of the jurisdiction where your property is located. A Certificate of Compliance signifies that the local Planning Department recognizes the affected parcels as being "legal" if they were to be split or sold. However, a Certificate of Compliance does not represent an approval of a land division. A land division must go through the local Planning Department approval process.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact a member of the Assessor Mapping staff via phone at (415) 473-5073 or via email. The Marin County Assessor's Office is located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 208, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding major holidays.

Contact Information

For additional information

If you need additional information, please contact the Assessor’s mapping division at 415-473-5073 or email mapping. A Mapper is not available every day, but will return emails and calls as soon as possible.