How to Use the Map Filters
The Map Search tool in Land Portal allows you to analyze land visually by layering important datasets directly on the map. Using Map Filters & View, you can turn on features like parcel boundaries, floodplains, wetlands, contour lines, and more to better understand a property before moving forward with a deal.
These filters help land investors quickly evaluate terrain, ownership details, environmental factors, and surrounding infrastructure without leaving Land Portal.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to access and use the Map Filters & View settings inside Map Search.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
- Log in to Land Portal
- Open Map Search
On the left side of the dashboard, click Map Search.
This is where you search for properties by state, county, and other filters.
- Apply Your Property Filters (Optional)
- Inside Map Search, this is also where you’ll find the Filtered Search options used to narrow down properties by criteria like:
- Vacant lots
- Vacant structures
- Residential properties
- Acreage ranges
- ZIP codes
- Cities
You can apply these filters before analyzing properties on the map.
- Open Map Filters & View
In the bottom-right corner of the map, click Map Filters & View to open the map settings panel.
This panel controls the map display, basemaps, and additional data layers you can toggle on and off.
- Choose a Basemap
At the top of the panel, you can switch between different map styles:
- GMaps – Standard Google Maps style view
- Streets – A traditional street-style map
- Satellite – Satellite imagery of the land
- NAIP – High-resolution aerial imagery commonly used for land analysis
Switching basemaps can help you view properties from different perspectives depending on what you’re evaluating.
- Enable Parcel Boundaries
Turning on Parcel Boundaries will display property boundary lines directly on the map.
This allows you to quickly see the shape and layout of each parcel when analyzing land.
- Show Owner Names
Displays the name of the property owner on the parcel
These can be helpful when identifying ownership or cross-referencing parcels.
- Turn On Terrain and Environmental Layers
Land Portal also allows you to activate additional data layers to better understand the property.
These include:
Parcel Numbers – Shows the parcel identification number (APN)
Contour Lines – Helps evaluate elevation changes and slope
FEMA Floodplain – Identifies properties located in flood zones
Wetlands – Shows wetland areas that may affect development
Water Features – Displays nearby rivers, lakes, and streams
Soil Type – Shows soil composition data
City Limits – Displays municipal boundaries
ZIP Boundaries – Shows ZIP code boundaries
These layers provide valuable insight when evaluating land for development, resale, or investment.
The Map Filters & View settings inside Map Search give you powerful tools to visually analyze land before making a decision. By combining Filtered Search criteria with map overlays like parcel boundaries, floodplains, wetlands, and contour lines, you can quickly evaluate properties and identify potential issues or opportunities.
Start using Map Search and Map Filters in Land Portal to gain deeper insights into the land you’re researching and make more informed investing decisions.