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How to Find Property Lines in Montana

From county records to augmented reality — here are 5 ways to find exactly where your property boundaries are in Montana.

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Montana's enormous ranch properties and mountain terrain make traditional surveying extremely expensive. Some ranch boundaries span tens of thousands of acres with markers separated by miles of roadless terrain.

Montana's 56 counties maintain property records through the county clerk and recorder. The Montana Cadastral system provides statewide GIS parcel data online.

5 Ways to Find Your Property Lines in Montana

1

Check County Records Online

Montana has 56 counties, and many offer online GIS or parcel viewer tools where you can look up property boundaries by address or parcel number. Start with your county assessor or recorder's office website.

The accuracy and availability of online records varies by county. Some provide detailed interactive maps, while others may require an in-person visit to the county office.

2

Review Your Property Deed

Your property deed contains a legal description of your land, including metes and bounds measurements or lot and block references. You can find your deed at the county recorder's office or through your title company.

While the deed defines your legal boundaries, interpreting the description on the actual ground can be difficult without surveying knowledge or equipment.

3

Look for Physical Markers

Section corners, brass caps, and USGS monuments. Ranch properties may span thousands of acres with markers miles apart. Mountain terrain shifts markers over time.

4

Hire a Licensed Surveyor

A professional land survey in Montana typically costs between $400 and $1000, depending on parcel size, terrain, and complexity. A licensed surveyor will physically mark your boundary corners with stakes or monuments.

Montana requires surveyors to be licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. Remote ranch surveys can be very expensive.

5

Use ParcelVision AR

ParcelVision uses augmented reality to show property boundary lines right on the ground through your iPhone camera. Just search an address, unlock the property for $14.99, and walk the lines in real time.

Unlike a survey that takes weeks to schedule, ParcelVision gives you instant results — and you can share access with anyone for free. It's ideal for getting a quick visual understanding of where your property lines are before committing to a full survey.

When You Need a Professional Survey

While ParcelVision is great for visualizing property lines on the ground, there are situations where a licensed land survey is the right call. A professional survey provides a legally binding document and precise measurements that hold up in court.

  • Legal disputes — If you're in a boundary disagreement with a neighbor, a certified survey is the only document that carries legal weight. Montana has an adverse possession period of 5 years, making boundary clarity especially important.
  • New construction — Building a fence, addition, or structure near your property line typically requires a survey to obtain permits and avoid setback violations.
  • Buying or selling land — A current survey protects both buyer and seller by confirming the property's exact boundaries, easements, and encroachments.
  • Subdividing property — Splitting a parcel into multiple lots requires a formal subdivision survey filed with the county.
  • Title insurance claims — If there's a question about boundary location during a title search, a survey resolves the issue definitively.

For everything else — walking your land, understanding your boundaries before buying, checking a fence line, or showing a hunting group the property edges — ParcelVision gives you the answer in minutes for $14.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a property survey cost in Montana?

A property boundary survey in Montana typically costs between $400 and $1000, depending on property size, terrain, and location. Complex properties or those in remote areas may cost more.

How do I find my property lines in Montana?

You can find property lines in Montana by checking county records online, reviewing your property deed or plat, looking for physical survey markers, hiring a licensed surveyor, or using ParcelVision's AR app to see boundaries on the ground in real time.

Can I find property lines on my phone in Montana?

Yes. ParcelVision uses your iPhone's camera and augmented reality to show property boundary lines on the ground in Montana. It costs $14.99 per property with no subscription required.

Is ParcelVision as accurate as a professional survey?

ParcelVision uses official county parcel data and GPS to show boundary lines accurate to within a few feet. While it's not a replacement for a legally binding professional survey, it's an excellent visual reference for understanding where your property lines fall.

Can I share ParcelVision access with others?

Yes. Once you purchase a property card, you can share it with anyone for free — family, neighbors, your real estate agent, or hunting partners. No one else needs to pay or create an account.

Find Your Property Lines in Montana

Download ParcelVision, search any address, and see boundary lines on the ground in minutes.

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