Zoning and Property Information

The Planning Department has consolidate various property resources and mapping applications into one list to better assist you in finding the information you need about your property.

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Durham Maps

Click here to go to Durham Maps Use this interactive map to find information such as:

  • General property information and boundary lines
  • Zoning information
  • Historic Properties and Landmarks
  • Floodplain and streams
  • Current and historic aerials
  • City and county boundaries


Rezoning and Annexations Online Engagement

A screenshot of the Durham Land Use Social Pinpoint mapping application.The Durham City-County Planning Department wants to hear from you about how we should improve the way land use cases are processed. Land use cases include zoning map changes, annexation petitions, and future land use map changes. We have heard from our community that the current processes need to be changed to better serve both community members and applicants.   

The purpose of this engagement initiative is to:

  • Learn from Durham community members and applicants, prioritizing historically marginalized and underrepresented voices 
  • Educate our community on how land use decisions are made and how community members can influence new development being proposed today 
  • Incorporate community voices and experiences into the development process

There are several steps on the path forward to making the land use engagement initiative successful, and we’d like to invite you to be a part of this collaborative journey.

Public Records Request (Next Request)

Screenshot of Durham Public records Request PortalThe City of Durham maintains public records and makes them available for review in accordance with North Carolina State Law. Some records may contain information protected by the Public Records law and therefore, may not be available for review.

All requests should be submitted through the City’s online public records portal. For tracking and accuracy purposes, requests will not be taken by phone.  

Tips:

  • To assist in our effort to process your request, be specific and thorough when providing the description of the requested record. If more information is needed, you may be asked to clarify your request. 
  • Please submit your request only once. Submitting duplicate requests may delay the response.   

Steps:

  1. Before submitting a new request, use the search function to view available records. You may find what you're looking for without having to submit a new request.   
  2. If you don’t find what you need, choose the option to  make a request.  
  3. Once a request is received, a staff member will respond to the requester within 24 hours or the next business day to confirm receipt.

Recorded Plat Book and Deed Information

Plat Books and Deeds are available through the Durham County Register of Deeds. To look up your recent information about your property, click on the Online and Public Record Search and click Accept. Fill in the Real Estate Records Online Search and Copies with your Plat Book and page number. 

To find your Plat Book and Page Number, the best tool to use is Durham County Land Records: Records Search. 

Durham Open Data Portal

Screenshot of Durham OpenData PortalThe mission of the Durham Open Data Portal is to make all government-held data available to the public. Open data is information that is available to and can be freely used by all. As simple as that sounds, definitions of open data can actually get pretty complicated. 

When we think about what makes a data set open or closed (or somewhere in between), we want to consider whether:

  • the data set can be easily accessed (usually online);
  • the data set is in a format that can be read by common computer programs;
  • the data set comes with metadata that enables the user to understand the data set;
  • the data set can be analyzed, re-used, and re-distributed freely.

If the above conditions are met, a data set can usually be considered "open."

Other Mapping and Informational Resources

City-County Interactive Maps

The Durham City-County GIS Department collects and maintains different mapping applications to meet the needs of various topics and projects. 

Custom Maps

The Durham City-County GIS Division offers minor mapping services for members of the community. See the custom mapping services for more information. 

State Historic Preservation Office

The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office assists private citizens, private institutions, local governments, and agencies of state and federal government in the identification, evaluation, protection, and enhancement of properties significant in North Carolina history and archaeology.

Durham Soils Map

The Soils Survey Map is available on Durham Maps. The link above will take you to the layer automatically enabled. You can also find the layer under the Aerials tab, select 1983 as the date.

United State Geographic Survey (USGS) Map Data Delivery

USGS Logo Link Opens in new windowThe USGS provides applications and web map services for "Topographic Information for the Nation". This information includes topographic maps and geographic information system (GIS) data for elevation, hydrography, watersheds, geographic names, orthoimagery, governmental units/boundaries, transportation, and land cover.


United States Census Data - Durham County

US Census Bureau Logo Link Opens in new windowThe Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The City of Durham and Durham County rely on this information as a starting point with determining future growth and trends happening in and around Durham.