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How to Find Property Lines in Virginia

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

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Virginia's system of 95 counties plus 38 independent cities — each with separate property records — is unique in the US and creates a fragmented records landscape. Terrain ranges from Tidewater coast to Appalachian peaks.

Virginia's 95 counties and 38 independent cities each maintain separate property records through the commissioner of the revenue or assessor's office. This dual system is unique in the US.

5 Ways to Find Your Property Lines in Virginia

1

Check County Records Online

Virginia has 133 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

Iron pins, blazed trees, and stone piles. Western Virginia mountain properties reference ridgelines and streams. Tidewater properties reference mean high water line.

4

Hire a Licensed Surveyor

A professional land survey in Virginia typically costs between $350 and $800, depending on parcel size, terrain, and complexity. A licensed surveyor will physically mark your boundary corners with stakes or monuments.

Virginia requires surveyors to be licensed by the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA).

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. Virginia has an adverse possession period of 15 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 Virginia?

A property boundary survey in Virginia typically costs between $350 and $800, 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 Virginia?

You can find property lines in Virginia 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 Virginia?

Yes. ParcelVision uses your iPhone's camera and augmented reality to show property boundary lines on the ground in Virginia. 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 Virginia

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

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