Honestly, I’ve seen this happen more times than I can count. Those GIS maps are great for a quick look, but they’re rarely survey-accurate. Ever notice how the aerial overlays don’t always line up with fences or tree lines? Makes me wonder why counties don’t update them more often. Did you end up having to rework your whole site plan, or just the driveway? I’ve had clients get pretty frustrated when their “official” docs didn’t match what was actually staked out on the ground... It’s wild how much can be off by just a few feet.
Title: Digging Into Property Easements—Anyone Else Find Online Tools Confusing?
- Ran into this exact issue last spring on a lake lot. GIS map said the property line was a good 8 feet off where the surveyor marked it.
- Ended up having to shift the whole house footprint, not just the driveway. That was a headache nobody saw coming.
- Always tell clients: those online maps are for reference, not gospel. County updates are slow, and sometimes the aerials are years old.
- It’s wild how a fence that’s “been there forever” can end up on the neighbor’s side, just because the map’s off. Learned to trust the stakes, not the screen.
Always tell clients: those online maps are for reference, not gospel. County updates are slow, and sometimes the aerials are years old.
Couldn’t agree more. I learned the hard way building my own place—GIS map looked fine, but when the surveyor came out, my planned garage was halfway onto the neighbor’s land. Had to rework the whole slab layout. Online maps are handy for a ballpark, but if you’re pouring concrete, trust the stakes every time. Those “forever” fences? They’re usually just a suggestion...
Digging into property easements—anyone else find online tools confusing?
Maps online are a lifesaver for brainstorming layouts, but I’ve seen them throw off more than one kitchen window view when the real-world lines didn’t match up. I always say: measure twice, dream big, but double-check with a pro before you start picking paint colors. Those invisible boundaries can really mess with your open-concept plans...
Title: Digging into property easements—anyone else find online tools confusing?
Totally agree—those online maps are a good starting point, but I’ve seen too many folks get tripped up by outdated or imprecise data. Even the satellite overlays can be off by a few feet, which is enough to cause headaches with setbacks or utility easements. I always recommend pulling the actual survey from the county or having a new one done before making any major design calls. It’s not just about fences—sometimes even a driveway or patio ends up in the wrong spot if you trust the digital lines too much.
