Survey Data

Data Map

An interactive GIS based web map designed to allow the user to quickly access survey related data. Once you open the viewer and zoom-in, open the layers menu with the 3-bar icon in the upper left to toggle layers on and off.

The following layers are available:

Plats and RLSs NEW!

Plats and Registered Land Surveys are now available to view online. Common Interest Communities and Declarations are not available online, to view those please continue to contact Property Records and Taxpayer Services.

PLS Points

Section corner information for 1500 US Public Land Survey corners in Washington County.

Name / Point Number
Type of Monument
Coordinate Values: NAD83/1986, Washington County Coordinate System
Corner Ties
Certificate of Location of Government Corner

Control Points

Survey control points are random stations established by GPS or traverse networks.

Station Name / Point Number
Type of Monument
Coordinate Values: NAD83/1986, Washington County Coordinate System

General Land Office (GLO) Maps

General Land Office (GLO) maps from the original U.S. Public Land Survey (1848) are available as a map layer. Adjust the opacity to view multiple layers at once.

Section Worksheets

These are a working drawing for survey control. Each worksheet shows 2 sections of land.

Section Corners
- Coordinate Values: NAD83/1986, Washington County Coordinate System
- Type of Monument
Section Lines
Government Lots
Geodetic Control Stations
Local Control Stations
Survey Networks

Get Section Worksheets on Data Map.

Get Section Worksheets by Township.

Certificates of Survey

Surveys prepared by licensed land surveyors in private practice are filed according to Section 389.08, Minnesota Statutes.

The perimeter of each survey is mapped and shaded.
Copyright laws apply: The actual survey can be viewed at our Service Counter. Only those surveys made before March 1, 1989 can be photocopied.

2-foot Contours

Contour Maps

2-foot contour data is available as hard-copy maps and as overlays with aerial photographs. Purchase at our service counter.

Data Source: November 2011 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) acquired by the Minnesota DNR.

2-foot contours are available to view from Elevation map layer in the GIS Property Viewer.

Digital Elevation Data

Digital elevation data is available at the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.

Find data download at LiDAR Elevation Data for Minnesota.

Data Source: November 2011 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) acquired by the Minnesota DNR.

Year 2000 Digital Contours

2-foot contour data acquired by Washington County in April 2000 is expired. This data is only available by request.

Aerial Photos

2022 Digital Orthophotography

The 2022 color digital imagery has a ground resolution of 6 inches and a horizontal accuracy of +/- 1.5 feet.

Referenced to the Washington County Coordinate System - NAD83/1986.

Available in TIFF, JPEG and ECW file formats.

Cost, Metadata

Minnesota Geospatial Commons

2020 digital aerial photography (1 ft. resolution) for Washington County is available at Minnesota Geospatial Commons.

Year	Photo Description
1936	20” x 20” photo prints for viewing – west half of county only
1945	Digital format – Black and White – Digital format
1953	9” x 9” photo prints for viewing
1964	20” x 20” photo prints for viewing
1969	Digital format – Black and white prints from mylar – 200 scale half sections
1976	Black and White prints from mylar – 200 scale half sections
1985	Black and White prints from mylar – 200 scale half sections
1991	Black and White prints from mylar – 200 scale half sections
1996	Black and White prints from mylar – 200 scale half sections
2000	Digital format – Black and White / plus 2 ft. contours
2005	Digital format – Color
2009	Digital format – Color
2013	Digital format – Color
2016	Digital format – Color
2019	Digital format – Color
2022	Digital format – Color

Minnesota Historical Aerial Photographs Online

Historic digital aerial photos for various years can be found at the John R. Borchert Map Library (University of Minnesota).

County Coordinates

County Coordinates have been established on all section corners, witness monuments, and survey control stations. The Washington County Coordinate System is a ground surface Transverse Mercator projection on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83/1986). Values are expressed in U.S. Survey Feet. Horizontal Control Reports for each congressional township are available at our service counter.

False Northing = 100,003.9833 feet (30481.2751 meters)
False Easting = 500,019.9178 feet (152406.3759 meters)
Central Meridian = 92 50 00
Latitude of Grid Origin = 44 44 45
Grid Scale Factor at Central Meridian = 1.000039836799
False Height = 835.0 feet

Fractional Sections

Map Products

Parcel Maps

Half-Section Maps

Half-Section and Eighth-Section parcel maps are available at our service counter, on our website, or by calling 651-430-4300. To view or download parcel maps on the web, use the Data Map interface.

Parcel Lines, Aerial Photos, and Topography - Prints and Overlays

Print Size	Parcel Lines	Aerial Photos	2 ft. Contours
11" x 17"	$3	$7	$7
18" x 24"	$6	$10	$10
24" x 24"	$7	$12	$12
24" x 36"	$10	$15	$15
36" x 36"	$14	$20	$20
36" x 48"	$19	$25	$25

Digital Parcel Data

Digital parcel data requests are available in ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD format. Call for details.

Cost, Metadata

MetroGIS Regional Parcel Dataset

Digital Parcel polygons for Washington County are available for free download at the Minnesota Geospatial Commons website.

Online GIS Viewer

View the parcel layer and aerial photography: GIS Property Viewer.

Recorded Plats

The first subdivision plats in Washington County were recorded in 1848. Subdivision Plats and Registered Land Surveys are available to view at our service counter. Scale copies can be purchased, or a scanned image (pdf) can be delivered by email.

Common Interest Community plats, known as CIC plats, include condominiums, planned communities, and cooperatives. Copies of CIC plats are available only from the County Recorder.

Certified Copies, and regular scale copies of subdivision plats, CIC plats and Registered Land Surveys are available from the County Recorder.

The County Recorder also offers a web based subscription service.

FAQs

Where can I get a plat book for Washington County?

The 2016 plat book can be purchased at the Surveyor's Office and at

Can I get a map of my property?

We can print a parcel map to scale on 11 x 17 inch paper. It will show adjoining parcels and approximate dimensions. This map is NOT a survey and is for reference purposes only. Parcel lines can also be printed with aerial photography in the background. Again, the lines are approximate.

Do you have aerial photos from past years?

Yes, aerial photography is available in 5 to 10 year intervals from 1936 to 2019.

Is there an actual survey of my property on file?

Maybe. We can check our records for land parcels that have a Certificate of Survey on file. Surveys are available for viewing during office hours. Since copyright laws apply, photo copies may not be made for some surveys. For platted parcels, you may also purchase a copy of the recorded subdivision plat.

Can I order products by phone or email?

Yes, you may call the office with your request and provide your card information over the phone. You may also send an e-mail to Publicworks@co.washington.mn.us with your request, name, and phone number. We will then contact you at the number provided with the total cost, and to receive your card information.

I need to find my property lines. What should I do?

Contact a Licensed Land Surveyor in private practice to have your property surveyed. Search the internet for Land Surveyor near me; or check your local phone book listings under "Surveyors - Land".

View All FAQs