GIS

Maricopa County’s geographic information system—often shortened to GIS—connects maps, imagery, and location-based analysis to everyday services across the county. This article explains how “Maricopa County AZ GIS” is organized, which official maps and data are publicly available, where to find parcel and zoning information, how to use transportation, utilities, and elections layers, and what to know about data accuracy and access. You’ll also find direct links to county GIS applications and open datasets, plus contact details for GIS-related offices at the end.

Understand the core mission of Maricopa County GIS

Maricopa County’s GIS program exists to provide mapping, aerial imagery, and geographic analysis to county agencies and the public. The county maintains a central entry point where residents can discover current map viewers, imagery resources, and system status updates. That central hub—the GIS Maps page—is designed for both occasional users (a resident needing a quick zoning lookup) and power users (engineers, surveyors, and planners compiling data for projects). From there, you can access mapping applications, request data, check service alerts, and reach the mapping team with feedback or questions via official forms.

A county as large and fast-growing as Maricopa depends on geospatial services to keep operations coordinated—from public health to transportation to flood control. The county’s GIS environment brings together web apps, open data downloads, and specialized viewers that reveal how parcels, roads, water features, and administrative districts interact on the ground.

Start exploring the county’s published tools at the GIS Maps hub (Maricopa County’s official page).

Use the one-stop GIS portal to find maps, imagery, and alerts

If your goal is to find the right county map or dataset quickly, begin at the county’s primary GIS landing page. It consolidates widely requested items, including:

County map apps—searchable, themed web maps that open directly in your browser
Imagery resources—the county’s aerial imagery program and partners
Data request channels—how to formally request data that isn’t already published
System status alerts—messages about maintenance windows or service disruptions
Feedback forms—where to submit mapping questions or suggest improvements

Visit the GIS Maps hub to see these options in one place: GIS Maps.

Jump straight to applications built for common tasks

The county publishes an organized gallery of public-facing GIS apps. If you’re not sure which specific viewer you need—or you want to browse by topic—use the county’s curated applications list. It includes parcel viewers, zoning lookups, transportation layers, flood-related maps, and more, all maintained by county departments and accessible with a modern web browser.

See the full gallery on the GIS Mapping Applications page: County mapping applications.

Download authoritative geospatial data from the County

Tap into the Open Data portal for daily-updated layers

For users who need to analyze data in GIS software or build their own maps, Maricopa County offers an official GIS Open Data portal. Many datasets update daily, with others on weekly or monthly schedules. The portal lets you:

Search by topic (e.g., parcels and property data, flood resources, conservation, and more)
Download data in common formats for use in desktop GIS or spreadsheets
Access apps and documents that showcase how layers are used in context
Follow catalog updates via available feeds

Because this is the county’s official distribution point, data in the portal is the safest place to begin for authoritative layers. Explore the Open Data portal here: Maricopa County GIS Open Data.

Know the ground rules: accuracy, verification, and legal use

Every published county map or dataset includes a clear disclaimer: GIS content is created for general reference. Users—whether they are residents checking a property line or consultants preparing plans—should independently verify information before relying on it for legal descriptions, boundary determinations, or permitting. County pages emphasize due diligence and user responsibility:

Treat web maps as reference tools rather than legal instruments.

Verify attributes and boundaries with the appropriate county office if they affect legal filings.

Confirm time-sensitive layers (like closures) before acting on them.

Respect any terms that prohibit resale or require a license for commercial distribution.

These standards help ensure county maps are used appropriately while keeping the platform open and transparent for public access.

Research parcels and property data with official viewers

Look up parcels by address or APN in the Parcel Viewer

If your priority is to verify an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), view parcel boundaries, or connect to links for related records, the county’s Parcel Viewer is the first stop. The viewer supports searches by address, owner name, or APN, and it will return the best available parcel geometry and key attributes for quick orientation. It’s built to load quickly, work in modern browsers, and route you to linked services when deeper records are needed.

Open the parcel lookup tool via the official Parcel Viewer: Assessor’s Parcel Viewer.

Connect parcels to recorded documents and related county services

Property research often requires reviewing deeds, plats, easements, or other documents recorded by the county. From parcel-centric research, you can transition to official document retrieval to see record images or index entries managed by the Recorder’s Office. When your use case involves taxes, the Treasurer’s resources provide payment information and schedules, while recorded document searches remain under the Recorder. Staying within the county’s linked ecosystem ensures you’re pulling authoritative information and not relying on third-party aggregators.

Confirm zoning, buffering, and plan review with planning-focused tools

Check base zoning before you plan improvements

Before drawing up plans or requesting permits, confirm your property’s base zoning and overlay districts with the county’s dedicated zoning viewer. The What’s My Zoning? app helps you locate the right parcel and inspect its zoning designation so you can read the applicable standards, setbacks, and potential use limitations. This is critical prep for permit applications and helps align expectations with county requirements.

Use the official zoning lookup here: What’s My Zoning?.

Explore parcel buffers and planning layers to assess nearby impacts

Planning tasks often require measuring distances—for instance, evaluating how close a property lies to a particular feature or whether a certain buffer includes restricted areas. The Parcel Buffer application lets you create buffers and see how the result intersects surrounding parcels or features. This supports early screening, neighborhood notifications, and preliminary feasibility assessments without having to set up desktop GIS.

Access the buffering tool from the county’s mapping applications gallery. It’s purpose-built for quick, on-screen analysis and complements the zoning viewer by adding proximity awareness to your planning workflow.

Consult planning maps that unify land use and infrastructure data

The county’s planning viewers, such as the PlanNet applications, are designed to gather multiple plans, capital projects, and related spatial documents into a single place. When aligning a private development with county plans, these maps provide context for transportation improvements, utility corridors, and other public investments. Moving through PlanNet after reviewing zoning and parcel buffers helps complete the “site due diligence” picture before contacting county planners.

Leverage transportation and survey resources built for accuracy

Retrieve land survey control and corner records directly from the county

Surveyors, engineers, and contractor teams need reliable control to stake projects and verify as-built conditions. The county’s Land Survey Points app consolidates control points, monuments, corner records, and related survey layers in a web-based map. You can:

Query control points and read associated attributes

Export survey data for field use

Inspect PLSS corners and section line determination status

Reference coordinate systems used in the map (e.g., WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere)

Access the official survey resource here: Land Survey Points.

Check road closures and traffic counts before you travel or plan

Construction and maintenance activities can affect access to job sites and neighborhoods. The county maintains a Road Closures map to identify active restrictions and reopenings, which is useful to residents planning a commute and to contractors planning logistics and deliveries. Reviewing closures alongside parcel or zoning information can help time submissions and schedule site work more efficiently.

See current conditions via the official map: Road Closures viewer.

Floodplain management and stormwater systems rely on GIS to deliver accurate, current risk information. Maricopa County’s flood and rainfall resources reference official data services and web apps to help you understand which facilities or parcels may be exposed to flooding, where projects are underway, and how rainfall patterns shift across the county. When your project involves grading, drainage, or structures near washes, layer these resources into your due-diligence workflow after confirming your parcel and zoning.

Because water management data is periodically updated and specialized, always confirm the latest layers and any advisory notes within the relevant county app—especially if your analysis could affect permitting or safety.

Use elections mapping for voting logistics and district awareness

Find your voting location or interpret election maps with official tools

Election visuals and voting-site maps utilize the county’s GIS services to guide residents to the correct locations and convey results. If you need to identify the nearest drop box or in-person voting site during an election period, use the county applications maintained under the Elections Department. For broader map products and precinct boundaries, consult the official Election Maps page, which links to authoritative layers curated for public understanding and transparency.

Explore official election cartography here: Election maps.

Understand how GIS supports election operations

Behind the scenes, the Elections Department and Recorder’s Office rely on GIS to manage precinct lines, vote centers, and mail ballot logistics. Maintaining up-to-date district layers ensures residents are routed correctly and that public-facing dashboards reflect current information. When you consult an election-related map, note any dates and disclaimers posted within the app—these indicate when data was last updated and help you interpret context during active election timelines.

Discover parks and amenities with location-aware precision

Map trailheads, amenities, and park features across the county

GIS supports recreation just as much as it supports compliance and infrastructure. Use the county’s Parks, Trails, and Amenities web app to visualize parks facilities, trail systems, and site amenities before you visit. For residents planning a weekend outing or for program staff coordinating events, this map simplifies wayfinding and helps match activities to park features.

Open the official viewer here: Parks, Trails, and Amenities map.

Locate solid-waste and recycling facilities through official mapping

Maricopa County’s waste resources are also mapped in GIS, offering a geospatial catalog of transfer stations, landfills, tire recycling facilities, and related resources. The Waste and Recycling Facilities map allows you to click a site to see facility details and use the on-map search to find a location by name. This is helpful for residents planning drop-offs and for project managers arranging debris handling during construction.

Use the county’s dedicated viewer here: Waste and Recycling Facilities map.

Build confident workflows by combining viewers and open datasets

A homeowner’s scenario: verify zoning, then plan an improvement

Suppose you’re planning a home addition. A reliable sequence might be:

Use the Parcel Viewer to confirm the parcel boundary and APN.

Open What’s My Zoning? to read the base zoning classification for setback and use rules.

If needed, use a buffering app to understand neighbor notification distances or proximity to certain features.

Cross-reference Road Closures to plan material deliveries or contractor access.

If plans might affect drainage, consult water and flood layers before scheduling a pre-application meeting.

By staying within county viewers, you ensure that your information aligns with local regulatory expectations.

A consultant’s scenario: assemble datasets for a submittal

A planning or engineering firm can streamline submittals by pulling authoritative datasets from the GIS Open Data portal. After downloading the layers and reading each dataset’s metadata, teams can integrate parcel data, transportation networks, and environmental layers into site analyses. If a dataset is not available for download, you can route a data request through the county’s mapping team, using the forms linked from the main GIS portal.

When deadlines are tight, remember to scan the GIS system status alerts for any planned maintenance that might affect web maps you intend to include in presentations.

Follow good data hygiene for county GIS content

Verify attributes and consider temporal context

Even with daily updates across many layers, verify that a dataset’s timestamp matches your project needs. For example:

Election precincts may change between cycles—check app notes for current versions.

Road closures can shift quickly—verify on the day of travel or material delivery.

Parcel boundaries are maintained by official offices; always confirm critical boundary decisions with the Assessor’s resources or recorded documents.

Treat county disclaimers as practical guidance that helps you avoid errors and resolve discrepancies before they affect permits, contracts, or schedules.

Use county contacts and feedback channels when you need help

If you have a question about a particular layer, first consult the app’s information panel or the dataset’s metadata in the open data portal. When you need direct assistance, use the contact mapping team and departmental directories linked from county pages. These official channels route questions to the right teams and ensure you receive guidance aligned with county policy and data maintenance practices.

Keep an eye on accessibility and service availability

Public GIS should work for everyone. The county’s web presence emphasizes accessibility features, while the GIS team posts system status alerts to keep users aware of planned outages and maintenance. If you rely on specific apps for fieldwork or public meetings, check for any alerts in advance and keep alternative workflows on hand (for example, cached PDF maps or pre-downloaded datasets) so your work continues uninterrupted.

How departments collaborate around GIS

Maricopa County’s geospatial work is coordinated across several departments. The Office of Enterprise Technology helps operate the enterprise GIS environment, keeping web applications and the open data portal available for the public and internal agencies. Departments such as Planning & Development, Transportation, Flood Control, the Assessor, the Recorder, Elections, Parks & Recreation, and Environmental Services publish map viewers and services tailored to their mandates, ensuring residents can find authoritative GIS for a wide range of needs.

This collaboration ensures that new data (like updated aerial imagery, recent parcel splits, or roadwork schedules) flows into the tools that residents and professionals use most. It also means your best results come from using the county’s own applications, which reflect the latest departmental updates and policies.

GIS-Relevant Departments and Contacts

Geographic Information Systems — 301 S 4th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 — (602) 506-7116

Office of Enterprise Technology — 301 S 4th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 — (602) 506-4357

Maricopa County Elections Department — 510 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003 — (602) 506-1511

Maricopa County Administration — 301 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 — (602) 506-3011

Maricopa County GIS FAQs

How do I get to the County’s official map viewers and alerts?

Start at the County’s centralized hub for county-maintained web maps, imagery resources, and service notices. From here you can launch department-built viewers and see maintenance advisories before you plan work or public meetings. Visit the county hub at GIS Maps.

Where can I download authoritative geospatial datasets?

Analysts and planners can search, preview, and download layers—many refreshed daily—directly from the County’s catalog. Dataset pages include metadata, update frequency, and a clear legal disclaimer reminding users to independently verify information for legal uses. Explore the catalog at GIS Open Data.

How do I look up a parcel by address or APN?

Use the Assessor’s interactive map to locate parcels by address, owner, or APN, then review geometry and key attributes. The viewer links into related county resources for deeper records research, helping you maintain an authoritative chain of sources. Open the tool at Parcel Viewer.

How do I confirm base zoning and overlay districts?

Before drafting site plans or permit applications, check the parcel’s zoning classification and overlays using the County’s planning viewer. You’ll see the mapped designation and can cross-reference applicable standards to validate setbacks and uses before submittal. Launch the planning lookup at What’s My Zoning?.

Where can surveyors find control, corner records, and PLSS details?

Field teams can query control monuments, view corner records, and inspect PLSS corner status in a dedicated transportation department application. The app supports attribute inspection and export for field workflows and notes the map’s coordinate system for consistency. Access the survey resource at Land Survey Points.