Q:
I am very familiar with the existing websites and I use them frequently. Why is there a new website and will the old websites be available forever?
A:
The purpose of the new website is to replace the old websites. There were 4 existing websites available since November 2002. In the past year we listened to comments and complaints about them and decided to build a new website in-house, by our own staff. The new website will be a permanent addition to the County GIS Online presence. The older websites will not be available for use after the first of March 2004.
Q:
How do I figure out what all the buttons do on this website?
A:
To learn about the buttons in the website please read this FAQ document or simply hover your mouse over a button for more information about its use.
Q:
How do I PRINT a map?
A:
To print, use the advanced options menu found on the Tools Toolbar. There is a PRINT button found here. NOTE: The map resize does not resize the print page. Selected features will not appear on the printed map at this time, we will add this as a future enhancement.
Q:
I used the search toolbar to search for information and the results showed me the feature on the map. How do I find out more information about the feature (a map feature is a Parcel, Road, or Address)
A:
Use the identify tool if you want specific information about a parcel. To obtain information about other map features make the map layer active for the feature you wish to identify. A pop up window will display parcel based reports and feature attributes.
Q:
How far back can the aerials be viewed? I can get the 200ft ones, but not the 400ft. I have stumbled across one that was farther back and looked to be a 400ft, but don't know how I did it. I am just wondering if there was a trick to zooming out and viewing the aerials on a wider scale.
A:
The county was flown in 1990 and February 2000 and we had limited funds and were unable to fly it at the same scale. This means that we obtained very detailed 200ft and lesser detailed 400ft orthophoto tiles - a good rule of thumb is that the 200ft covers the eastern or more populated area of the county, while the 400ft covers the western side of the county.
When using the website, simply make both the 200ft and 400ft visible. Depending where you are (and how close zoomed in) you will always have photos where ever we had the contractor fly and take photos.
Q:
What type of data capture method was used for the raster Orthophotography (Aerial Photo) images?
A:
The County has finished a Project with L. Robert Kimball & Associates in 2000, to bring accurate digital orthos, DTMs, and updated planimetric and topographic information. This project was brought together by City and County agencies within York County.
There are approximately 559 ortho aerial sheets; these were delivered by July 2002. The Digital Ortho Sheets were flown at 1"=2400' and 1"=4800' scale and scanned to 2 and 1 foot pixel resolutions respectively.
The result is a seamless digital ortho basemap to be distributed throughout the county's departments and the public in a TIF format, that is geo-referenced and fully compatible with Arc/View, Arc/Info, AutoCad, Microstation, and various other GIS/CAD software.
Q:
Where can I find zoning information online?
A:
Zoning information may be found using this GIS Online Website. Locate the properties in question using either the zoom tools or a search method. Once the properties have been located and you are zoomed in close enough, you may use the identify tool to select the parcel in question and then choose the Zoning Report from the Identify window, this will make the zoning layer with its colors and labels visible. The colors and labels indicate the zoning types.
Q:
According to my flood certificate company, this property is in a flood zone. However, I can not find any proof on the GIS system. Where can I find this information? I assume any lake property has a greater chance of flooding, however, I would assume that the elevation of the lot would make the house NOT in a flood zone.
A:
GIS currently does not have any certified digital information about flood zones. This information is still determined using hardcopy maps in our planning department.
The Floodplain layer present on this website is very close to the existing FIRM documents, but not to be the official source.
If you have questions concerning flood zones, please contact Ira Coltharp, our Deputy Building Official, for assistance.
The state government currently has a plan to capture floodplain information digitally which will enable York County GIS to provide this information to the public via GIS Online in the future (approx by 2005).
Q:
Does York County sell GIS data on cd? My company would be interested in purchasing the data to use in ArcView. If you do sell it, please let me know the cost and how I would go about purchasing it from York County. Is there any way to get the AutoCad DXF, shape files, or arcinfo coverages for York County?
A:
The information you are looking for may only be viewed in whole using this GIS Online website. Parcels, zoning, planimetrics, orthophotos, and a number of other layers on our mapping website may be downloaded using our DATA DOWNLOAD link within the IDENTIFY window among the other Reports. This enables download of one tile or small square area at a time.
Q:
The old program allowed the map page to be copied and 'pasted' into another program where I could 'piece' together one map of several maps. Each time I try to copy the map in order to paste it into my art program it will not paste.
A:
Use the PRINT MAP option on the advanced tool bar. The main map is now more ‘dynamic’ than the old website maps. You should be able to get the ‘save picture as…’ OR the copy option when you right click on the map image. We will look into making this its own option on the advanced toolbar.
Q:
I need to view the entire billing address, not just the street and number presented on the search toolbar. How can I access this and the Property Card.
A:
This information and more can be found within our new GIS Online website. Once you have performed a search (by using the search toolbar or by using the zoom in / pan tools) and have located a property you desire more information about, use the Identify tool to select the parcel. This will produce a results window that organizes information by report type. The Parcel Report is the first option and has all the information you desire, it is exactly the same as the previous websites we have presented. The new website simply organizes the information in a different way.
Q:
We used to use the basic and buffer search to find out where new streets are located. Is there a way to just find a street on the new website?
A:
The plan is for the new website to have buffer capability as the previous one did. But that feature is planned to be included late march. Type in the street name in the "Street Address" window for the "Locate Address" search. The system will return from one to many results, depending upon the number of address range segments.
Q:
How do I use my mouse to IDENTIFY a property or download GIS data? Why doesn't the identify button work?
A:
The IDENTIFY button causes another pop up window to appear. You must disable your Pop-Up Blocking software while using our website to enable this window to appear. The Identify Results window provides the Property Report, Zoning report, Community Report, and Environment Report as well as an option for Data Download to extract GIS data.
Q:
What is the ZOOM-IN tool?
A:
The Zoom In tool allows you to zoom to a more detailed portion of the map. Once you click the Zoom In tool you can either click on the map to zoom in or you can drag a box across the map to select the portion of the map you wish to zoom to.
Q:
What is the ZOOM-OUT tool?
A:
The Zoom Out tool allows you to see more of the map by zooming out. Once you have clicked the Zoom Out tool the point that you click on the map will be the center of your view once the map has zoomed out.
Q:
What is the PAN tool?
A:
The Pan tool allows you to move your viewpoint of the map. When you click the Pan tool clicking on the map will recenter of the view to the point you click.
Q:
What is the IDENTIFY tool?
A:
Use this tool to find out information about anything on the map. You can find information on parcels, roads, water bodies, and many other objects on the map. Parcel information is returned by default. By selecting a different Active Layer from the Layers tool you can obtain information on other objects.
Q:
What is the LAYERS tool?
A:
The Layers tool displays a list of available layers for the map. Each layer contains different information including Aerial Photos, City Boundaries, Zoning Information, and Roads. Once the layer list is open you can access information about each layer by clicking the layer name.
Q:
What is the FULL VIEW tool?
A:
This tool returns your view of the map to the default view displayed when you first access the site. It shows the entire county with Roads, County and City Boundaries and Water Bodies turned on.
Q:
What is the OWNER NAME search?
A:
Use this search to find a parcel by the owner name. Enter the owner's last name in the text box and click Search. Example: Loflin Gary
Q:
What is ADDRESS SEARCH?
A:
Address Search provides the capability of searching by either full address (street number, street name, street type - i.e. 6 Congress St), cross street (Congress & Liberty), or just street name (congress).
Q:
What is TAXMAP # search?
A:
Use this search to locate a parcel by its Tax Map ID. This ID is a 10 digit number that is used to reference a parcel for tax purposes. This number can be found on all county tax bills and receipts. Example: 5470000204
Q:
What is SUBDIVISION Search?
A:
Use this search to locate a subdivision by name The results will contain all sections of that subdivision. When a subdivision section is selected, it will be highlighted on the map. Example: Mount Gallant Farm
Q:
What is found under RESULTS?
A:
The Results tab displays the information returned from each search. The results are displayed in rows with pertinent information included with the results. Each result has a Map button that displays the result on the map by centering on it and highlighting it.
Q:
Why were the LOT DIMENSIONS removed from the website?
A:
Lot dimensions are no longer available on the GIS site. The County Assessor had them removed because they were not 100% accurate. When attempting to add new parcels with new surveys and match them to much older, less accurate surveys, there is a certain amount of manipulation that takes place to get the boundaries to match. This creates boundary segments that don't always agree with the surveys. Most people assume that the figures (in GIS) are totally accurate and get very upset when there is a discrepancy with the county GIS parcel data. The recorded deeds and plats are still, and will remain, the only "official" land records. Staff is working on a measurement tool to allow you to do your own measurements.
Q:
How do I find out boundary dimensions, square footage and acreage information for residential property in York County?
A:
We have a new tool for measuring distances on the website. It is found under the "TOOLS" dropdown menu and is called "Measurements". Select "Measure" and click on the points between which you would like the distance. You may do three or more to calculate area as well. After 3 or more points are entered, then hover your pointer over the area to be measured. The area and other data will be displayed, similar to tool tips.
Q:
How do I get the current tax value of the property?
A:
After you have found your parcel, use the "identify" tool to click in that parcel. You will get a popup with four reports listed. Click on the "Parcel Report" to get tax assessment data. Make sure you do not have popups disabled, and that land parcels are active.
Q:
How do I determine the Zoning for a property and what is Multi-Zoned?
A:
After finding a property, use the identify tool and access the Zoning Report. This report will display the property and the zoning present at the property. If the property is labeled Multi-Zoned then the lot is split into two or more zoning types. There are two zoning layers when viewed in the Layers List, one for the zoning areas and one for specific Multi-Zoned properties. Both must be changed to "visible" when viewed outside the Zoning Report.
Q:
Where can I find an aerial photo of specific parcels ? How would I go about doing this?
A:
Perform your search by entering your tax map number, street address or owner name, and then click on "map" option. Once you have located the parcel click on the "layers" tool and then check the "visible" box next to the 2000 Orthophoto 400-scale and the 2000 Orthophoto 200-scale layers. Then "refresh map." This will return you an orthophoto along with your property line. Click on the "Identify" tool then inside the parcel to get several reports about that parcel.
Q:
How current is the information on the GIS website for York county, especially the property report? If a property is sold, how soon will its parcel report be updated?
A:
The answer to this question is not a simple one. Several factors affect the timeliness of the data. Any changes in property ownership or property lines will appear in the GIS online. Simple property transfer is generally accomplished within a couple of days of recordation. There are two processes at work here, somewhat independently. Tax data must be updated and parcel boundaries mapped, if required. As a rule simple ownership changes should appear within a couple of days. Boundaries take longer and may require 2-3 weeks depending upon workload. There are additional factors, mostly technical in nature, that bear upon the timeliness of the data as it appears on the website. I realize that this may have clouded the issue for you, but realize that we understand this is a serious issue to the taxpayer and to us as well. We are seeking a solution that will expedite the process and yet provide the data accuracy you need.
There is a link to a page in which you may report suspected errors. If you have reason to believe that parcel information is incorrect look for the link called "Report Parcel Layer Errors and Suggestions" at the left of the screen on the GIS Online welcome page. Click on that link to access the form to report that kind of problem.