A parcel number, also called an assessor's parcel number (APN), parcel identification number (PIN) or tax map number, is the identifier a county assigns to each piece of land for property tax and recording purposes. It comes from local government records, not from the postal system, so it cannot be derived from a ZIP code.
Where parcel numbers come from
Each county (or, in some states, each municipality) maintains a parcel map and assigns numbers based on map book, page and lot. Formats vary widely, from a plain sequence to hyphenated groups such as 123-456-789-00. The same address can have more than one parcel, and one parcel can carry several addresses.
How to look it up
- Identify the county from the property's address. The county by ZIP code lookup gives the county association for the ZIP; confirm it for the specific address if the ZIP crosses county lines.
- Open the county assessor's, property appraiser's or tax collector's website and use its property search by address.
- Alternatively, open the county GIS or parcel viewer map and click the property.
Check the match
Compare the owner name, lot size and street address on the record with what you know about the property. Postal city names and ZIP codes do not define legal boundaries, so a property with a “Boston” mailing address can lie in a neighbouring town's records.
Uses of the parcel number
You will need it for property tax payments, permits, deeds and title work, assessment appeals and many real-estate transactions. Keep the county name with the number, since parcel numbers are only unique within their jurisdiction.