Totally agree—those online parcel maps are just a rough guide. I’ve seen neighbors get into it over a six-inch strip because they trusted the county’s website instead of getting a real survey. Honestly, I don’t even trust the markers in the ground half the time. Ever run into issues where the recorded easement doesn’t match what’s actually on your property? That’s tripped me up more than once...
Honestly, I don’t even trust the markers in the ground half the time.
- Couldn’t agree more on that one. I’ve seen old rebar sticking out of the dirt that was probably dropped there by mistake decades ago.
- Had a surveyor tell me once that “fence lines are just opinions.” That stuck with me.
- Ran into a weird case where the easement on my deed was 10 feet wide, but the utility company had been using a 15-foot path for years. Sorting that out was a headache.
- Ever had a neighbor build something right up to what they *thought* was the line, only to find out later it’s not even close? Makes me wonder how many of these old boundaries are just based on who had the straightest fence post.
Curious if anyone’s had luck getting the county to update their online maps after finding mistakes? Or do they just shrug it off?
Honestly, I’ve found the county’s online maps to be more of a “suggestion” than anything definitive. Even after pointing out obvious errors—like a property line running through my garage—they just said it would “eventually” get updated. It’s wild how much faith people put in those digital lines. Has anyone actually seen a case where a digital map held up in a dispute, or do they always fall back on the old paper surveys?
It’s wild how much faith people put in those digital lines.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I wouldn’t write off the online maps entirely. They’re not gospel, but they’re a decent starting point—especially if you’re just trying to get a sense of where things sit before calling in a surveyor. I’ve seen them help folks avoid building over utility easements, even if they’re not perfect. Still, when it comes to legal disputes, yeah, paper surveys and actual markers in the ground always win out. Digital’s just a tool, not the final word.
I’ve run into this a few times when planning remodels—those online maps can be super confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out if a wall can be moved or a patio extended. I usually start with the digital stuff just to get a rough idea, but I’ve learned the hard way not to trust them for anything major. Once, a client wanted to put in a big window, and the online map showed clear space, but the actual survey revealed a utility easement right there. Saved us a ton of headaches. Digital’s handy, but I always double-check with the real paperwork before making any big decisions.
