Data Sources

Public records are extremely useful in locating pertinent information. Some common sources are listed below.

City / County Recorder's Office
  • Business ownership identification
  • Codes and ordinances
  • Deed restrictions
  • Deeds
  • Mining claims
  • Partnership agreements, divorce decrees, and other documents affecting ownership
Planning & Zoning Departments
  • Annexation maps
  • Building permits
  • Development and land use plans
  • Historic districts
  • Lot splits and abandonments
  • Subdivision information
  • Variances in land use approved by zoning authorities
  • Zoning decisions
Engineering Departments
  • Building permits
  • Demolition permits
  • Right-of-way easement records for public services and utilities
Sale Tax Offices
  • Sale / use tax permits
  • State Licensing Boards
Licenses for Service & Professional Activities
  • U.S. Forest Service
State Land Office
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Leases of state land
  • Sale or trade of public land
U.S. Department of the Interior
  • Grazing land lease maps
  • Identification of range improvements
County Assessor's Office
  • Field surveys
  • Real property records
Private Data Sources
  • Commercial cost manuals
  • Economic data from local, state, or national sources
  • Real estate, newspaper, and commercial organization data on market values
  • Specific information about technical and market trends in particular industries
  • Telephone and service directories