How to Use the Mapping Overlays


Understanding a property’s physical characteristics is essential when evaluating its potential, and that’s where mapping overlays on Land Portal come in.

These tools give you instant visual insight into slope, flood zones, wetlands, and water features, helping you assess risk, buildability, and overall desirability.

Whether you're flipping rural parcels or looking for subdividable land, these overlays eliminate guesswork and allow you to make confident, informed decisions.

Below is a step-by-step breakdown on how to use the mapping overlays inside Land Portal, complete with visual indicators you can turn on and off depending on your needs.

Step 1: Open the Map Filters

To get started, log in to Land Portal if you haven’t already.

Once logged in, navigate to the Mapping section. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, you'll see the Mapping Filters button.

Click it to reveal all available overlay options.

Step 2. Zoom in to Your Area of Interest

Zoom in on a specific area.

Clicking on the different overlays will activate them on the map.

In the example below, we have Parcel Boundaries and Contour Lines activated.

Step 3. Toggle Parcel Data (Optional)

You can turn on or off:

  • Parcel Numbers
  • Owner Names
  • Parcel Boundaries

These options help declutter the view or highlight specific information based on your goals.

Step 4. View Contour Lines (Slope Overlay)

Toggle on Contour Lines to view elevation levels in feet above sea level.

This shows the slope of the terrain, helping determine buildability.

Closer contour lines indicate steeper terrain.

This is especially useful in mountainous or hilly areas.

Step 5. Check Flood Zones

Select the FEMA Floodplain overlay to identify areas with varying flood risks.

Clicking on the different colored zones reveals detailed FEMA classifications such as:

Zone AE, Floodway & 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Zones

This is critical for avoiding high-risk parcels or for proper due diligence in lower-risk zones.

Step 6. Identify Wetlands

Enable the Wetlands overlay to see federally mapped wetland areas.

Clicking on any wetland will display its classification and type.

This is vital if you want to avoid regulatory headaches or if wetlands affect buildable acreage.

Step 7. Locate Water Features

Turn on Water Features to reveal:

  • Creeks
  • Streams
  • Ponds
  • Lakes

Thicker solid lines typically represent significant water bodies, while dotted lines may indicate seasonal or less reliable waterways.

Step 8. Use Multiple Overlays at Once

You can activate multiple overlays simultaneously (e.g., Flood Plane, Wetlands, and Water Features) for a full environmental picture of a parcel.

Step 9. Explore the Terrain in 3D

If you're struggling to visualize slope from contour lines alone, turn on the 3D Map feature:

Click the 3D button.

Rotate and tilt the map to see elevation changes in real-time.

Use this to spot buildable areas or to avoid steep, unusable sections of a parcel.

Step 10. Learn About the Soil Type

The Soil Type overlay gives you detailed insight into the land’s composition—critical for determining usability.

When you toggle it on, you'll see color-coded sections representing different soil types.

Hovering over them will display data on severity, drainage capability, and farmland potential, giving you a clearer picture before making a decision.

The mapping overlays on Land Portal are designed to simplify complex property evaluations with just a few clicks.

By leveraging this tool, you can avoid flood-prone land, spot valuable natural features, and make faster, more confident offers.

Log in to Land Portal and start using mapping overlays to elevate your land investing game!


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