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Land Information

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1. How are parcel identification numbers, and assessment/tax information created and updated?

Parcel numbers are created and ownership information is maintained via documents recorded at the Register of Deeds Office. The Register of Deeds records and indexes documents of conveyance. The Land Information office reviews the recorded conveyances, interprets the land(s) being effected, and changes ownership records and/or creates new parcel identification numbers if there is a division of land(s). The changes made are reflected on the assessment roll which is used by the local assessors to value lands. The parcels and their valuation are key components in the generation of real estate tax bills.

2. How long does it take to process documents and enter new splits?

Documents are processed on a daily basis. Most name changes will be shown on the public record by the next day. Depending on the complexity of a split or combination of lands, most new parcel numbers will be on the public record within 2 – 5 days. 

3. Can you give me the new parcel number if I have the old parcel number?

An individual can get a new tax parcel number or numbers by supplying the old tax parcel number. Notation exists in the legal description of all new tax parcel numbers stating where they came from (the original tax number) and all new tax parcel numbers associated with the split.

4. Who is responsible for the taxes when property has been split?

Real estate tax bills are sent out as the property existed on January 1st of the taxing year. Generally, real estate taxes are based on the previous years real estate tax bill and are prorated at the time of closing. The seller usually credits the buyer with funds that cover the amount of time that the seller has occupied the premises since the first of the year. The real estate tax bill will be printed and mailed to the previous owner. The previous owner will turn the bill over to the new owner for payment. A Title Company or an Attorney as a means to ensure payment of taxes for a given year may hold monies in escrow. An individual should discuss the payment of taxes with a Title Company representative or an Attorney prior to closing to determine how real estate taxes will be fairly apportioned.

5. If I purchase a split parcel will I receive a tax bill?

The original owner of property as of January 1st of the real estate taxing year will receive a tax bill on the entire parcel of land. Land that is split after January 1st will not receive a separate bill until the following year. A proration of taxes will occur at closing that will fairly distribute the taxes between owners for the present taxation year. Lands must be assessed as they exist on January 1st of a taxation year. A split that occurs during the year will not have an assessment until January 1st of the following year.

6. Why does it say “DEED IN ERROR” on my tax bill (or assessment notice)?

“DEED IN ERROR” on an assessment notice or a tax bill provides notification to the owner that some aspect of the original recording of the conveyance of transfer is in error. The Land Information Office will contact the attorney or the Title Company that processed the document and notify them of the discrepancy. The problem is usually corrected at that level. It is advisable for an individual to contact the Land Information Office or the Attorney and/or the Title Company that processed the document about the error to determine the necessary steps needed to correct it.

7. What do I do to combine parcels?

Parcel combinations are usually required to meet county, municipal, or city codes. An assessor may request a combination of parcels to allow for more practical means of assessing properties. An example of an assessor’s combination would be a building that crosses two taxing parcels. Combination forms are obtained based on the location of the lands to be combined. A combination form for the City of Kenosha can be obtained through the City Development Office, for Villages through the local building inspector, and for Townships, through the County Planning and Development Department. The requirements for combination of lands are that lands to be combined must be in the exact same name(s), the parcels must be contiguous, and all real estate taxes must be paid. Combinations of lands must be recorded with the Register of Deeds Office. Tax bills for combined parcels will take effect the following tax year.

8. Who owns the property?

Ownership of lands can be found using the County public access property inquiry page or by using the County interactive mapping page.

9. How often is ownership information updated?

Property information is updated on a daily basis and will take approximately 2 working days to appear on the public access search. Divisions of land take longer to process. A split or combined parcel will usually appear on the public access search within 5 days.

10. Who and how do I inform someone of a change of mailing address?

Land Information is in charge of making address changes for assessment and taxation purposes. It is important to remember to send an address change form if you are building a new home and intend to reside at that new location by the end of the year. The Land Information Office will send the assessment notice and the real estate bill to the previous location if it does not receive an address change form associated with a new building. This could result in delays of retrieving documents and the possibility of penalties associated with late payments.

Download Address Change Form

11. Is a change of address reflected in the assessment notice and the tax billing?

A change of address is reflected in assessment notices and real estate tax billings. Allow 2 working days for address changes to be processed.

12. How can I view tax map information?

Kenosha County has an interactive mapping page that the public can use to view cadastral, zoning, aerial photographs and other land attribute information.

Use Interactive Mapping

13. Can I get a copy of the tax map?

Hard copies of maps are available through the Department of Planning and Development GIS Division. Cadastral (tax maps) and various other maps may also be purchased through the Department of Planning and Development - Land Information Office at (262) 653 – 2622. For the available “hard copy” maps and associated costs, click here.

Hard Copy Maps for Sale

14. What is the lot size or acreage?

Acreage and Building information can be found on the County public access property inquiry page. Exact lot dimensions can be found on the County interactive mapping page.

15. How up to date is the tax map?

Tax maps are updated on a weekly basis.

16. Who do I contact with parcel boundary questions?

The Land Information Office at (262) 653 – 2622 should be contacted concerning any mapping discrepancies.

17. Where can I get a plat book?

Plat books may be available through Rural Mutual Insurance Company.  For more information please contact Rural Insurance - 2215 63rd Street, Kenosha, WI 53143. Phone: (262) 654-0427

18. Where can I get an aerial photo of a tract of land?

Aerial photographs can be viewed through the Kenosha County interactive mapping page and purchased through the Kenosha County GIS/Mapping Division or the Land Information Office. An aerial will also appear when viewing the County public access property inquiry page.

19. Is there a survey of the property and how do I get a copy?

The Land Information Office is the “repository” of all surveys done in Kenosha County. You may contact our office at (262) 653 – 2622 and we will check our records to see if there is a survey on file.  Land Information is currently in the process of scanning surveys and anticipate that survey information will be available for most surveys on the Land Information Website. There is a number available now by using the quick links. Surveys are required to be filed according to State Statute 59.45(1)(b) Land Information has no knowledge of what areas have been surveyed. Surveyors record their surveys on their own volition although there are fines associated with failure to file. As such a survey may have been completed but may not be on record with the Land Information Office.

20. Does a survey automatically split a property?

A survey does not automatically split a parcel of land. Most surveys are done to locate buildings on a parcel of land for mortgage purposes, or to determine lot lines for putting up fences. A survey will be required when building a structure on a parcel of land. A specialized survey called a Certified Survey Map (CSM) will split land once it is recorded with the Register of Deeds Office. A certified survey map constitutes property that has been surveyed by a Registered Land Surveyor and has been approved by appropriate units of government.

21. Why isn’t there a survey on my property?

There are a variety of reasons why a survey may not be on file in the Land Information Office. A survey may have been done on a property before it was necessary to record it with the appropriate County Office. A survey may never have been done on the property. Lands may have been surveyed when they were part of a larger parcel of land. The most common reason however is that surveyors do not file them. State statues require surveyors to file with the Land Information Office but our office does not have the ability to monitor what lands have and have not been surveyed. Surveys are filed on the “honor” system.

22. How do I obtain an address for a new home?

Addresses and Street names are assigned by various entities as follows:

• City of Kenosha: Neighborhood Services and Building Inspection Department
• Village of Pleasant Prairie: the Department of Community Development
• Village of Twin Lakes: Building and Zoning Administration Department
• Village of Salem Lakes: Kenosha County Land Information Office
• Village of Paddock Lake: Planning and Building Department
• All Townships: Kenosha County Land Information Office

23. Who names the streets and assigns addresses and what is the naming scheme?

The Villages in Kenosha County have their own naming scheme for roads within their municipality. The County of Kenosha and the City of Kenosha converted to a grid system using road numbers approximately 30 years ago. The most Northerly road in Kenosha County is 1st Street. Streets and Places (roads that run East and West) run consecutively from 1st Street on the North to 128th Street on the South line of Kenosha County. The most Easterly road is 1st Avenue. Avenues and Courts (roads that run North and South) run consecutively from 1st Avenue on the East to 408th Avenue on the West line of Kenosha County. The address scheme for the City and the County is guided through Chapter 6 of the County Municipal Code.
Municipal Code, Chapter 6

24. What side of the street is an address located?

All even numbered address can be found on the North and West side of a road. All odd numbered addresses can be found on the East and South sides of a road.

25. How can I find the location of an address?

The location of an address can be found through the County interactive mapping page.

Interactive Mapping

26. Who is my assessor?

Assessors vary for individual municipalities. View a listing of assessors by municipality.

Listing of Assessors

27. Where can I find pertinent information (age, size, # of bedrooms) for a home?

Building information can be found on the Kenosha County public access property inquiry page. More specific information can be obtained by contacting the local assessor.

Property Inquiry

28. What is the date of the latest sales, the sales price, and recording information?

The latest sale, including sale price, date of sale, document number recorded at the Register of Deeds Office, and the number of parcels included in the sale are found on the Kenosha County public access property inquiry page. Previous sales can be obtained by contacting the Land Information Office.

Property Inquiry

29. What school district is a property in?

School District associated with lands can be viewed using the Kenosha County public access property inquiry page or the Kenosha County interactive mapping page.

30. What are the taxes and when are they paid?

Present real estate tax amounts and amounts for previous years can be found on the Kenosha County public access property inquiry page. Questions on tax delinquent properties and associated penalties can be determined by contacting the County Treasurer's Office.

County Treasurers Office

31. Can I get a copy of the deed?

Copies of deeds can be obtained by contacting the County Register of Deeds Office.

Register of Deeds Office

32. Are there any easements?

Easements could exist in a variety of documents. An easement created 50 years ago may still be in effect today. It is recommended that an individual contact a title company or another legal professional to ascertain all easements that may be associated with a parcel of land.

33. Is the property in a floodplain?

Floodplain, soils, environmental corridors, watersheds, topography and other zoning related information may be obtained by contacting the various municipal planning departments. Some information may be found on the County interactive mapping page.

Interactive Mapping

34. Where do I get a Condominium or Subdivision Plat?

Copies of Subdivisions or Condominium Plats may be obtained through the Register of Deeds Office.

Register of Deeds Office

35. Where do I vote and who are my representatives?

Voting information can be found in the County Clerk's Office.

Property Inquiry