What we do

The Public Works and Map Checking Unit:

  • Review subdivision maps within Unincorporated San Mateo County.  Review all Records of Survey, and Corner Records in San Mateo County to assure technical accuracy and adherence to various State and County regulations.
  • Perform field surveys in connection with Public Works related projects.
  • Maintain indexes to various surveying and mapping records.

Please note:

         555 County Center

         5th Floor, Public Works

         Attn: Surveys and Mapping

         Redwood City CA 94063

 
 Researching Easements

Recorded easements may be shown on recorded maps, deeds, and occasionally on other recorded documents. You can access the County record maps and other mapping products on the County’s “Property Maps Portal”. Select the “Recorded Property Maps” link under the “Online Research” section on this web page. There is also a link on this web page for instructional YouTube videos on how to search our Public Works map records.

For deeds and other documents, please visit the office of the County Recorder:

https://www.smcacre.org/clerk-recorder

Please be aware that easements may exist which are not reflected on record maps or the latest deeds. You may need to contact the utility provider or user of the easement you suspect may exist, contact the City in which you live (If incorporated), or research other/older documents.

“Prescriptive easements” may also exist after prolonged use, even if not contained in a recorded document.

Online Research

Recorded Property Maps - View, download, or print Survey and Subdivision Maps. For inquiries please contact CountyGIS@smcgov.org

Video Instructions for the new online research site

Maps not filed for recording - An index of maps in County archives occasionally mentioned in older deeds

External Resources


San Mateo County Genealogical Society - The SMCGS has some land-related records in their databases.

 

On Site Research

The following records are not available online at this time but can be researched on-site at the Public Works Office:

  • Field Books
  • Right-of-Way Maps
  • Miscellaneous Records

8:30am to 4:30pm

555 County Center, 5th Floor

Redwood City, CA 94063

 
Please Note: All survey research must be performed by the surveyor / engineer. Public Works staff is only available to assist in locating the types of records to be researched and in reproducing maps and field books. We cannot take phone or email requests to research the above mentioned records.

Notice:  Fee increase for the process and review of Record of Surveys.

Effective July 1st, 2022, the fees required to accompany Record of Surveys submitted for process and review are increased to the following:

a) Single Sheet Survey - which shall include the review of the original submittal and the review of one re-submittal:

Record of Survey Map Checking Fee July 1, 2022 July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024 July 1, 2025

July 1, 2026

Single Sheet Survey Fee $500.00 $525.00 $550.00 $575.00 $600.00

a) Multi Sheet Survey - which shall include the review of the original submittal and review of one-submittal:

Record of Survey Map Checking Fee July 1, 2022 July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024 July 1, 2025 July 1, 2026
First Sheet $500.00 $525.00 $550.00 $575.00 $600.00
Second Sheet $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Additional Sheet $200.00

$200.00

$200.00

$200.00

$200.00

Link to Ordinance No. 4862, fee increase as adopted by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on February 22, 2022.

https://library.municode.com/ca/san_mateo_county/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1138264

Background:  The fee increase is meant to reduce the gap between fees charged by the County, and actual process and review costs incurred by the County.  Record of Survey fees were last adjusted in 2009.  The 2022-2026 gradual fee increase is subsequent to an internal study conducted in 2021, and will better align with the current fees required by surrounding Bay Area counties. 

Phone: (650) 363-4100

Email: pw-surveying@smcgov.org

How are we doing?