I have a question.Who would i have to go to when it comes to finding out my home property line?My neighbors...

Question

...are building a fence and i think is party of our property. How would i find out if whether they got permits from the city or not. What is a good website or phone number that i can get a hold of?

Answer 1

My dad and uncle were curious where our property lines run and they went to the county seat. I forget what department it was in but they have all the maps that show property lines, roads, etc., and they update them every few years. I think they just updated them a year or 2 ago, and I'm pretty sure every county does that.

Answer 2

You can call your county assessors office to get footage of your property lines. Or, you can go through your settlement papers from when you bought your home and see if they gave you a survey.

Answer 3

Most likely, there is no permit needed for the fence.  Check with the whichever office issues building permits (call the city or county main number and ask the operator).  They can tell you: a) if a permit is needed; and b) if one is needed, whether your neighbor has applied and received one.

As for whether they are building on your property or not, you will have to locate the property markers.  Many survey companies use metal poles after they survey to mark the corners.  If you can't find the markers, you will have to pay to have a survey performed (figure $500 - $1,000 for the survey).

Answer 4

OK.. there are a bunch of free sources and then some that co$t:

1) City or County or Township offices:  Here you may find records from building permits or earlier surveys that will help you identify the boundary by way of marks or measuremnts that were taken by other surveys.  Typical sources are:

    a)  City Engineer or City Surveyor (or both)  Especially the surveyor.  He (or she) may be able to give you additional information on a local basis (you left out YOUR location so I can not give you anything more specific).

    b)  Planning or Zoning department:  Here is where you will contact someone about any permit the neighbor needs.  (Prob. there is none required if it is a sideyard fence and 6 feet or less - that is a generic standard but it changes from agency to agency so check)

    c)  County Survey office and County Recorder's office

    d)  The public works department.  Remember that one of your neighbors is likely the City who owns the roadway.  THAT may have a survey on it too.

2)  Despite what everyone says the Assessor's Office is a poor choice for boundary information.  Assessor's maps are designed primarily to collect taxes and not much else.  They can be used to identify owners and the RELATIVE position of the property, but if the maps are off by a foot or so the Assessor's office is not going to care since that represents only a few dollars in taxes (too much or too little) and they work on the process that these errors even themselves out (in terms of taxes).

3)  Your deed, and either of your neighbors deeds may include a plat or some specific 'call' to an object (the large oak tree at the corner) that will help you to do some basic measurements.

4)  If all else fails, you can always ask the neighbor how he knows that is the property line.

Ok. Not-So-Free:

5)  Hire a surveyor.. you will get it done right (I hope) and end your concerns one way or another..

6)  HIre a lawyer (but odds are that he will tell you to hire a surveyor first).

7)  Call up local surveyors to see if they have any old surveys in their records and can sell you a copy.  (Usually they can not because the records are theirs, but the rights to them are their clients, but who knows.. may be in old public record by now.

Ok.. beyond that you need to post some specifics about your location and site.

good luck

Answer 5

do you have a city layout of your land look at it and if there wrong tell them

Answer 6

To determine the property lines, you need a survey done.

If permits are required for fencing - it is in my locale - call or visit the local building department.  

Answer 7

Depending on what state you are in, contact the party that handled the closing, as you would have had title done which shows the lot lines, easements, liens etc. on the property.  This is their business and should be able to provide this information.

Also, you can contact any title company in the area and order a Property Profile.  It all depends on what state you are in.  In California, title companies offer this service free of charge or a nominal fee.