This help site will explain and record changes to Frederick County, Maryland Property Explorer, an interactive web application developed by the Frederick County GIS Team, powered by Geocortex Essentials and ESRI Map Services.

On the left is the Action Panel, where information about the map and map tool descriptions are found. At the bottom of the Action Panel, you will find the tabs for the Home Menu, the Layer Manager, and the various programs you will run while using the application. Click these tabs to activate the panel. At the top right is the Search Bar, where addresses of interest can be quickly located. In the bottom left of the map space are the Imagery Sliders. Click the imagery button to switch between the two sliders. Next to the imagery sliders is the X/Y Coordinate Display, click on this tool to display the X/Y coordinates in a variety of coordinate systems. In the top left of the map space is the I Want To... Menu, you can find more map tools and manipulations here. The Help Button, next to the search bar, allows you to view a link to our help page and a 508 compliance statement. To the right, underneath the search bar, is the Toolbar, where a variety of tools for both map interaction and information gathering are found.

Action Panel (return to top)

The Action Panel, located on the left side of the screen, is where detailed information is given about the application itself and many of the programs the application has to offer. When the application loads, the user will be able to locate both the Home Menu, which displays automatically, and the Layer Manager in the Action Panel. The application will also show most of the dialogue in this location including program instructions and user input boxes.

Search & Help (return to top)

Click inside the tool to activate and start typing an address or road name. When you have completed typing, click enter or select the magnifying glass to perform the search. The results will display in the tab on the left side of the screen. Be sure to use postal code abbreviations for all address searches.

Ex. "12 E Church St"

Select the question mark button to view a link to our help page and 508 compliance statement.

Imagery (return to top)

Imagery Slider - Once the application has loaded, the imagery slider will appear in the lower left corner of the map space. This slider allows the user to transition between the Street Map and the newest Aerial Imagery. Slide the toggle to switch between the two views.

Historic Slider - To view the Historic Slider click the button that says Street/Aerial in the lower left corner of the map space. This will display a menu that will allow the user to choose between the Street/Aerial and the Historic imagery slider. Select the Historic slider and this menu will display. Slide the toggle to switch between the various years of historic imagery.

"I Want To..." Menu (return to top)

Property Report - Generates a report displaying facts about a property.

Parcel Identifier - Quickly generates basic property information (Plat and State Tax Record).

Recycle Tool - Displays the current Recycling Collection Schedule.

Street Search - Obtain information on various streets using a keyword or subdivision name. (Replaces "Address and Street Search" Application)

Aerial Report - View a location or property’s transition through time using aerial imagery.

Layer Manager - Activate the Layer Manager panel to turn layers on and off and perform layer actions.

View the home panel - Displays the Home Menu panel on the left side of the screen.

Display Legend - View the map legend.

Return to initial map extent - Zooms out to the extent of the map when the application was first loaded.

Property Explorer Help - Navigates users to this help page.

Contact Us - Allows users to provide feedback with the ability to add attachments.

Toolbar (return to top)

Home - Displays the Home Menu panel on the left side of the screen.

Initial View - Zooms out to the extent of the map when the application was first loaded.

Print - Prints the map document using custom print templates that include a title, legend, scale, and north arrow.

Export - Allows the user to create a quick image of the current map extent.

Share - Share the web mapping application using a variety of methods including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, or Email.

Upload Data - Choose files to upload from your computer, and they will become temporarily available on the map.
Supported file types include .csv, .xlsx, .kml, .shp, .gpx, or a .zip containing a FileGDB or shapefiles

Bearing - Draw lines to show the bearing and distance measurements.

Line - Draw lines to determine distance and area measurements.

Polygon - Draw polygons to determine distance and area measurements.

Rectangle - Draw rectangles to determine distance and area measurements.

Draw - Choose from a drop-down list of graphics to draw on the map.

Buffer - Find a circular distance around a point of your choosing. Several different units of distance are available.

Input Coordinate - Input coordinates to place a point on the map space, using three different coordinate systems.

3rd Party Imagery - See Below.

Clear Markup - Removes any graphics that are currently in the map space.

Third Party Imagery (return to top)

Select the 3rd Party Imagery icon from the toolbar menu and then select a location on the map. If this does not work, click the "Target Button" from the 3rd Party Imagery Menu to place your map icon. To toggle between different third party imagery services click the "Select Map" button in the top left corner and choose your option. Drag color-coded map icons around the map space to view different areas. Each 3rd Party Imagery service has its own map icon.

For best results, use Google Chrome.

Third party imagery is provided by Pictometry and Google Street View.

Change Log (return to top)

2022/11/07

Added 2022 Imagery to Historic and Street/Aerial Imagery Slider.

2021/08/21

Added 2020 Imagery to Historic and Street/Aerial Imagery Slider.

2018/03/06

Added 2017 Imagery to Historic and Street/Aerial Imagery Slider.
Added ability to execute the Parcel Identifier tool directly from an address selection after searching.
Added the "Request for Subdivision Plats" Tool.
Updated the recycling tool.
Added option to input address when submitting feedback.

2016/11/18

Added Upload Data tool

2016/08/03

Added Aerial Report to "I Want To..." Menu.

2016/05/18

Added tool stabilization and processing labels to Parcel Identifier tool.
Added predictive search to search box.
Modified Property Report error messages to better explain errors.

2016/04/14

Added bearing tool.
Added labels to Input Coordinate Tool.

2016/03/10

Added "Addresses" to layer manager.
Changed displayed help icon.
Added buffer tool to mobile application.

2016/03/08

Added help buttons to main page, home menu, and "I want to..." menu.
Search by Tax Account.
Added third party imagery tool.
Added 2014 imagery to both sliders.

2016/02/26

Added Street Search Tool.
Added Input Coordinate Tool.
Corrected bug in Parcel Identifier Tool that zooms users out when selecting parcel.
Added two layers to layer manager - Fire Areas & Fire Hydrants.
Added Street/Aerial Imagery Slider.
Added more imagery to Historic Imagery Slider.