Useful sources for searching: Official sources to verify buildability ↓
A 20-minute pre-offer screen
Lock the APN and parcel shape; reject wrong-lot geocodes.
Note city vs county and who issues permits.
Pull zoning / GP clues and obvious overlays.
Flag FEMA and CAL FIRE hits for the polygon.
Ask access/easement and septic/well questions early.
Write the offer with contingencies that match the red flags—not generic hope.
Why GIS beats a county drive for triage
Public layers will not replace planning staff, but they stop you from touring obviously constrained lots blind. Use Parcel View to organize source links you can hand a buyer or seller with honest limitations.
Product fit for working agents
Pro and Max plans support repeated screening, comparison, and client-facing workflows. Start with Screen and create an account when you outgrow one-off guest lookups.
People also ask
What should an agent check before writing a land offer?
APN/jurisdiction, access, zoning for intended use, flood and fire screens, and utility reality—then title/easements. Document what is verified vs still open.
Can I share Parcel View with buyers?
Yes as educational screening with clear limits. Do not present it as a survey, zoning letter, or insurance determination.
How is this different from driving to the county first?
County staff remain authoritative. A GIS-first pass makes that visit shorter and more specific—better questions, fewer surprise deal killers after the offer.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-08-29. Re-check agency maps before decisions — vintages change.
Related
Screen this on a California parcel
Parcel View checks official public GIS for zoning, flood, fire, soils, and planning — every finding linked to the source.