How to find property lines

Learn how to determine where your property lines are

It’s important to know where your property lines are when you are planning improvements to your home. If you're planning to build a fence, driveway, swimming pool, garage, or other structure, you'll want to ensure that it doesn't encroach on your neighbor’s property. This also applies to hedges, trees, or landscaping.

Knowing where your property lines are before you start a project is a great way to prevent problems later, especially if it helps you avoid encroaching on a neighbor’s property. Here are ways to find them.

• Check for boundary markers. If your home is newly built, it may be easy to find survey pins or other property markers that may still be in place.
• Check your deed. Your deed includes a description of your property and its boundaries. You may have a copy of your deed in your records. You can check your deed at your county recorder’s office, too. Some counties even have these records online.
• Check your plat map. Often, when you buy a home, you also receive a copy of the plat map, which shows the property lines for your home, as well as other homes in your neighborhood. Your county assessor’s office should have a copy of your plat map, too. Some counties even have these records online.
• Check with your lender. Your lender may have required a survey before they approved your mortgage.
• Check with your title company. Your title company may have received a property survey as part of its title search.
• Check online. You may also be able to find property lines with online platforms such as LandGlide or Regrid. These platforms may charge you a fee or require a subscription.

Are property line records always accurate?

Deeds and other public records may not always contain accurate descriptions of your property lines. For example, the description of a property line in your deed may not agree with the description of the property line in your neighbor’s deed. It’s also possible your plat map will not agree with your deed. Online platforms may not be accurate, either. As a result, consider getting a professional survey.

Think about hiring a professional surveyor to find your property lines

You might consider hiring a professional surveyor to find your property lines before you begin expensive projects like building an addition to your home or a new structure on your land. A surveyor will find your property lines by researching records and reviewing the history of the property. The cost of this survey can range from $300 to $700, depending on the size, location, and history of the property. However, this cost can be worth it if it helps you avoid problems later.

Last reviewed and updated November 2023 by Freedom Mortgage.