Junior Rasmussen
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a useful tool for gaining a general overview of an area, but they have limitations when it comes to accuracy, particularly regarding property lines. GIS data is an amalgamation of information from various sources, each with differing levels of accuracy. While some data may be georeferenced to state plane coordinate systems, other data may be based on older assessor's maps, resulting in potential discrepancies. The age of the data also plays a role in accuracy, with newer subdivisions typically having more precise property lines within 5 feet of their actual location, while older rural areas may rely on fence lines or assumed physical representations of property boundaries. Licensed surveyors, on the other hand, adhere to strict technical standards and can provide highly accurate corner positions and line locations. It is recommended to exercise caution when relying solely on GIS for establishing precise property boundaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use case | GIS is useful for big-picture use but not for establishing boundaries |
| Accuracy | Accuracy depends on where the county gets the information and how that information is placed onto the GIS representation. Accuracy also depends on the source of the data, the age of the data, and the method used to collect the data. |
| Sources of data | GIS data is an amalgamation of data from many sources, including surveyed lines, city utility data, assessor's maps, deeds, plats of record, aerial photography, legal descriptions, surveys, and other authoritative data sources. |
| Resolution of data | The resolution of aerial photography varies by year of acquisition, ranging from 2-3 inches on the ground for the most current photography to 6 inches or 12 inches on the ground for older photography. |
| Comparison to other tools | Google Maps is a good tool for getting directions or creating an overall view of an area, but it can change frequently and there is no background information about the data source. |
| Comparison to surveyors | Licensed surveyors have strict technical standards established by state licensing boards and can tell you the corner position and line location within hundredths of a foot, less than an inch. |
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What You'll Learn
GIS data sources and accuracy
GIS data is always subject to some degree of uncertainty and error, and it is important to understand the accuracy and precision of GIS data to assess its usability. Accuracy refers to the degree to which information on a map or in a digital database matches true or accepted values. On the other hand, precision involves assessing the imprecision of data and its inaccuracies.
The accuracy of GIS data depends on the type of data being used and the specific application. For instance, projects such as managing underground pipelines require location data to be within a few centimeters of the actual location, while for damage assessments, points within 10 feet of the damage may be sufficient. GIS data is an amalgamation of data from many sources, and these sources have varying levels of accuracy. Some data may have a positional quality of +/-5 or 10 feet, while other data may be far less accurate. The accuracy of GIS data is also influenced by the data collection methods used, with inherent limitations affecting the quality of the data. Common sources of errors in GIS data include incomplete or outdated data sources, errors in data entry or conversion, imprecise or inaccurate measurements, and limitations of the data collection method.
To ensure the accuracy of GIS data, it is crucial to carefully plan and employ methods for estimating and minimizing errors. This may involve using multiple sources of data, validating and cross-checking data, and being transparent about any limitations. Metadata, or data about the data, is a valuable tool for GIS users to understand the accuracy and limitations of the data they are working with. Metadata should include information such as the age of the data, origin, area covered, scale, projection system, accuracy, and format.
It is important to recognize that true accuracy in GIS data can be expensive and may not always be achievable. GIS software can give users a false sense of accuracy and precision, and it is up to the user to carefully compare and use the data to yield useful results. While GIS data may not always be precise or accurate, it is still extremely useful for big-picture use and can provide valuable insights when used with caution and an understanding of its limitations.
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GIS for big picture use
GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a powerful tool with a wide range of applications. It is a computer system that can collect, manage, integrate and analyse data with a location reference. This data can include natural features, human-built features, topography, and land use. GIS is used in fields such as earth sciences, biology, resource management, and many others.
One of the key strengths of GIS is its ability to bring together diverse data sources and present them visually on a map. This makes it an excellent tool for understanding patterns, relationships, and geographic context. For example, GIS can be used to identify where green spaces could reduce extreme heat or where population growth could support business expansion. It can also be used to plan the location of new infrastructure such as retail stores, distribution hubs, or fire stations, taking into account travel times, population numbers, local demographics, and competitor locations.
GIS is also a valuable tool for farmers, particularly smallholder farmers in developing countries. It can help them to implement sustainable farming practices, improve crop yields, and reduce their environmental impact. For example, in Malawi, GIS is being used to promote climate-smart practices such as planting indigenous trees that fix nitrogen in the soil, sequester carbon, and provide livestock fodder during droughts.
Despite its many benefits, GIS has limitations when it comes to establishing precise boundaries or property lines. The accuracy of GIS data depends on the source, and some sources may have a positional quality of +/-5 or 10 feet. Licensed surveyors use technical standards established by state licensing boards to determine corner positions and line locations within hundredths of a foot, which is far more precise than what GIS can currently provide. Therefore, while GIS is extremely useful for big-picture decision-making and planning, it should be used with caution when dealing with specific boundary or property line disputes.
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GIS and boundary establishment
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a powerful tool for establishing and changing the boundaries of administrative-territorial units, such as rural settlements, villages, towns, cities and districts. GIS software can be used to combine and display spatial data and analytical layers for analysis, modelling and decision-making. This enables the determination of boundaries and the implementation of projects.
GIS data can include geospatial data sets (e.g. shapefiles) of land and marine boundaries, as well as historical and contemporary coverage of administrative and political units, school districts, and marine areas. This data is sourced from aerial photography, legal descriptions, surveys, and other authoritative sources. The accuracy of GIS data depends on various factors, including the age of the data and the specific source used. For example, in the case of property lines, the mapped lines in newer subdivisions are generally within 5 feet +/- of their actual location, while in older, more rural areas, the lines may be based on fence lines or other assumed physical representations and may be less accurate.
The application of GIS in boundary establishment and changes is particularly relevant in the context of rural settlements and territorial communities. For instance, GIS technologies have been used to establish the boundaries of territorial communities in Ukraine following the reform of its administrative and territorial system. Similarly, GIS has been applied to address problematic issues in establishing the borders of territorial communities and entering data about them into the State Land Cadastre.
While GIS is a valuable tool for boundary establishment and changes, it is important to note that it should not be solely relied upon as the ultimate authority on property boundaries. Inaccuracies can occur due to underlying issues with the base map or photography used, and it is always recommended to refer to official surveys and legal documents for precise boundary information.
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GIS and property deeds
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to maintain property information for public inquiry and legal research. They use public documents to create and maintain an official index of property ownership in a given area. GIS data is frequently updated and enhanced with GPS data to create new data or find existing data.
GIS data is often sourced from deeds and plats of record, which are used to map property lines. However, the accuracy of property lines in GIS software varies. While GIS data can be spatially perfect and accurately represent the shape and location of a parcel, the underlying photo or base map can be skewed, causing the lines to appear off or wrong. The accuracy of property lines also depends on where the information for the parcels is sourced and how that information is translated from 2D to 3D.
In general, the accuracy of property lines in GIS software tends to be higher for newer subdivisions, with lines typically within 5 feet +/- of where they actually exist. However, it is not uncommon for there to be larger discrepancies, with some reports of lines being off by 10 feet or even 50 feet. As such, it is recommended to get a professional survey done to verify property lines, rather than relying solely on GIS data.
It is important to note that GIS data is not intended to replace official records or surveys and should not be construed as a legal document. While it can provide valuable information and context, it should be used in conjunction with other sources to ensure accuracy and completeness.
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GIS and property surveys
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer systems that keep and use maps in digital form. They are extremely useful for big-picture use, but they are not suitable for establishing boundaries. GIS data is collected from various sources at different times, and the average user does not have access to the metadata that would allow them to see the positional accuracy, method of collection, source, etc. of the data. This means that the data sets that make up the databases are often "smashed together" with no statement of accuracy or information on the data collection procedures, coordinate transformations, etc.
GIS data is often based on tax assessment lines, which are done by assessors for tax purposes only. This means that the property lines are not survey accurate and are not intended to represent actual surveyed property lines. The accuracy of the property lines varies depending on different factors. In general, the newer a subdivision, the more accurate the mapped lines. In a newer subdivision, the lines are generally within 5 feet +/- of where they actually exist. In older, more rural portions of the county, the property lines may not have been surveyed in many years and may have been mapped according to fence lines or other assumed physical representations of where the property lines were thought to exist.
Licensed surveyors have very strict technical standards that they must meet, and they can tell you the corner position and line location within hundredths of a foot, less than an inch. A survey made on the ground from land record documents is superior evidence in court. A GIS map is a guide and is unlikely to hold up in court.
GIS maps are useful for preliminary site analysis, for example, when looking for potential park properties. They are also useful for producing relatively accurate estimates across a wide area, for example, the number of utility poles, the miles of pipe, the number of customers, the number of parcels, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
The accuracy of lot lines on public web GIS varies. It depends on where the county gets the information for the parcels and how that "flat" information is placed onto the "spherical" GIS representation. In general, the newer a subdivision, the more accurate the mapped lines. In a newer subdivision, past 5 years or so, the lines are generally within 5 feet +/- of where they actually exist.
GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a computer system that keeps and uses maps in a digital form.
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a service that uses satellites and a special receiver to find your location based on the signals received from the satellites. GPS data is frequently added to, or used with, a GIS to create new data or to find data in a GIS.
Many governments use GIS mapping tools that give you a wealth of information about your property, including the property boundaries. You can often search property records online for free with either the parcel number, owner name, or address.
