Why is the area of my parcel shown on the tax map different than my deed?

Any discrepancy between the tax map and the deed to the parcel is generally because the property has never been surveyed and the area had to be calculated digitally. The City’s original tax parcel mapping, completed in 1992, was done in the following fashion:

Aerial photos of the City were taken in April of 1990.  Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and some traditional surveying methods were used to calibrate the aerial photos. All topographical information that could be taken off the aerial photos was then put into a digital format (AutoCAD).  Using the topographical information as a base, approximately 1800 survey plans were inserted at their proper location.  For the remainder of the City, deed descriptions were used to "fit" in the rest of the parcels.  The acreage of these parcels was calculated digitally since there was no surveyor statement concerning acreage.

Our tax maps are made more accurate by boundary surveys, subdivisions, lot line revisions, etc.  When a plan comes into the City with a surveyors stamp and signature, the corresponding tax map is updated accordingly. These updates occur annually in the Spring.