Q: Where can I find Nevada County maps?
A: Maps of Nevada County can be found in two places on this website: Interactive maps like the Parcel-Search Map Application and static Digital Maps in PDF format.
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Q: How can I ask a specific question about this GIS website?
A: All specific questions or comments can be directed to GIS staff.
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Q: How do I get to the County home page?
A: Click here: County Home Page
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Q: I want to see the Disclaimer again!
A: Click here: Disclaimer
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Q: What does the acronym GIS stand for and what is GIS?
A: GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. GIS software brings together the graphic interface of a map with the powerful functionality of a database. GIS operates on geographic data as it exists on the surface of the earth. Since the earth's surface is spherical, GIS employs map projections to take the spherical data and reposition it on a flat plane and display it on a flat surface such as a computer monitor. Attached to each point, line or polygon (the three standard types of GIS data) is a database record containing information pertinent to that geographic data such as an address, a length, or an area. GIS technology integrates database operations such as querying and statistical analysis with geographic (spatial) analyses which can then be viewed using 2D or 3D visualization. These capabilities make GIS a valuable tool to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies. For even more go to More on GIS
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Q: What is the difference between GIS and CAD?
A: Both GIS and CAD work primarily with graphical vector data (they also use image data which is a collection of unrelated pixels). However CAD (Computer Aided Design) does not deal with projected data and is not built on a relational database foundation as GIS is. Common database operations such as queries and statistical analyses are augmented in GIS with queries and spatial operations on the geographic data types themselves giving the GIS analyst an extremely powerful set of tools.
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Q: How can I see my property on a map?
A: You can search by your address or your property's assessors parcel number (APN) and the map will zoom to your property.
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Q: Can anybody see my property information?
A: Only some of the publicly available data associated with parcels are available on this website. 'Owners Name' is not available on this website but can be obtained at the GIS Kiosk in the lobby of the Eric Rood Center. On this website, you can locate your property by searching on address or its APN.
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Q: What kind of information is available for a specific property?
A: Site Address, Assessors Parcel Number, Acreage, Land Value, Improvements Value, Date of Valuation, Zoning, General Plan Designation, Supervisory District, Fire District, School District, Sanitary District, Census Block Group and Census Tract.
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Q: How do I ZoomIn, ZoomOut or Pan on the map?
A: Use the map tools located beneath the map. To zoom in, click and drag a rectangle on the map over the area you want to view. To zoom out a large amount, click and drag a small rectangle on the map. To zoom out a small amount, click and drag a large rectangle on the map. To pan, click and drag the map in any direction to change the extent of the map view.
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Q: Why does it take a while for the map to appear on my screen?
A: Detailed map images are large compared to other types of data sent across the Internet. Since the image files are larger than a typical webpage, it takes more time to load them and map loading time will depend on the speed of your connection. Each new view of the map delivers a new image to your browser.
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Q: How do you use the click boxes next to the layers under the Table of Contents?
A: The Table of Contents lists the names of the layers that are available for the interactive map. A layer can be turned on or off by placing or removing a check in the checkbox next to the layer name. The result of your new layer selection is viewable by clicking the 'Refresh' button. Some layers are not available except at certain zoom levels. Layers that are not available at the current zoom level will have grayed-out check boxes.
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Q: How do I print a map of my property?
A: The Print link is on the left at the bottom of the page, you may have to scroll down to see it. Click on the 'Print' link and a separate window will appear with the map, a legend and a parcel information table if you have selected an individual parcel.
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Q: How do I save an image of the current map?
A: To save an image of the current map, right-click over the map and select a file name and location for an image.
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Q: How does the zoning code help work?
A: Once a parcel has been selected, click on the 'Zoning Code Information' link beneath the 'Parcel Report' table. A series of zoning code district types will appear. Select the prefix that matches the prefix of the code you are interested in. Only the zoning code district prefixes are explained here. For further information see the Planning Department's FAQ web page.
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Q: Why can't I view all the Map Background layers at once?
A: The three Map Background layers are opaque and must be in the background behind the other layers. If you turn on more than one Map Background layer, only the top one will be visible since any background layer below it is covered by the background layer above it.
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Q: Why do I get a 'Page Not Found' or other error for parts of this website?
A: It is possible, if you have visited this website before, that your browser may have stored some of the pages that you viewed at that time and is redisplaying them now. If there have been changes made to the website, and your browser is redisplaying old pages instead of the new pages, you may get an error. You may want to delete your browser cache to avoid this problem. For Internet Explorer 5.0, go to the 'Tools' menu and select 'Internet Options'. In the 'Temporary Internet files' area select 'Delete Files...'
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Q: What are the numbers on the status bar on the lower left of the screen?
A: The numbers are the geographic coordinates of the mouse cursor. The primary numbers are the Latitude and Longitude coordinates and the numbers in the parentheses are the State Plane y, x (in that order) coordinates. Lat/Long coordinates are known as "geographic" coordinates and State Plane coordinates are known as "projected" coordinates. The Nevada County GIS Department uses California State Plane coordinates for all of its data. More specifically, we use CA State Plane, Zone II, meters, NAD83. State Plane is a Lambert Conformal Conic projection. If you don't see any coordinates on the status bar, you are probably using Internet Explorer version 5.0. This version does not work well with the status bar at this time so the status bar coordinates have been disabled for version 5.0.
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Q: What is the difference between an Interactive and a Digital Map?
A: The Interactive Maps can be manipulated by the user and are searchable for data and only viewable online. The Digital Maps that are provided on this site are viewed via Adobe Acrobat and can be downloaded to your personal computer.
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Q: Where are the Interactive Maps?
A: Our current interactive map is the Parcel-Search Map Application. In the near future we will have additional interactive maps available on this website.
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Q: Where can I obtain a Digital Map?
A: Digital Maps can be obtained here.
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Q: Do I need any special software to view the maps?
A: Currently, only Internet Explorer browsers version 4.0 or higher on a PC platform are enabled for the interactive mapping website. However, we will be enabling Netscape browsers of 4.0 or higher in the near future. Internet Explorer browsers on a Mac platform are not supported but Netscape browsers on a Mac platform are. The interactive websites employ JavaScript and temporary cookies so JavaScript and cookies must be enabled in your browser. These are selectable options in your browser software. The Parcel Search Application only operates for monitors set at a resolution of 800x600 pixels or finer (such as 1024x768). Coarser resolutions are not allowed. No additional software is needed to view the Interactive map although a high speed Internet connection is strongly recommended. To view the Digital Maps you must have Adobe Acrobat 3.0 or higher.
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Q: How do I contact someone in the GIS Department if I have a question?
A: All specific questions or comments can be directed to GIS staff
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Q: Where is the GIS Department located?
A: The GIS Department is located in the Eric Rood County Government Center in the IGS Department in the west wing of the first floor.
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Q: What is the GIS Department's address?
A: The address for the GIS Department is: GIS, Information Systems Department, County of Nevada 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959. (530) 265-1608
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Q: How do I contact a specific GIS Department staff member?
A: Please call us at (530) 265-1608 or email us at GIS staff.
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