The Chautauqua County tax map for any parcel is available online through two county tools: the GIS Parcel Viewer, which shows parcel boundaries and dimensions on an interactive map, and the Real Property Tax Lookup, which returns ownership, assessment, and payment details. Both are linked from the county’s website, and you can search either by street address, owner name, or Section-Block-Lot (SBL) number. For a certified copy or a question the portals can’t answer, the Real Property Tax Services office in Mayville handles requests in person and by phone.
Searching a Parcel Online
Start with whatever identifier you have. The SBL number is the fastest and most exact match, but an address works fine if you don’t have the SBL handy.
Open the GIS Parcel Viewer from the county’s Geographic Information Systems page.1Chautauqua County, New York. Geographic Information Systems Type the address into the search bar or navigate the map visually to the area you want. Click a parcel to pull up its identification details. Zoom in to see boundary lines clearly, and pan across to view neighboring lots. The viewer lets you toggle between the standard tax map overlay and aerial imagery, which helps when you want to see buildings, driveways, or tree lines that don’t show up on parcel lines alone.
For dollar figures and ownership, use the Real Property Tax Lookup portal instead.2Chautauqua County. Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Lookup Enter the owner’s name or property address, and the system returns the SBL, assessed value, property type, and payment history. Property and owner data reflects the most current information supplied by town assessors, though assessment figures do not become final for taxing purposes until the Town Final Assessment Roll is filed on or about July 1 each year.
What the Map Shows
Each tax map displays the outline of an individual parcel with its dimensions in feet or acreage, along with the outlines of surrounding parcels, roads, and waterways. Every parcel has a unique SBL number that distinguishes it from every other piece of land in the county.
The Parcel Viewer includes toggleable layers for roads, waterways, legislative and agricultural districts, municipalities, and aerial imagery. These overlays let you check whether a property falls inside a municipal boundary or agricultural district without pulling separate records. The GIS page also links to a document listing school district ARLM codes, which ties each parcel to its school district for tax apportionment.
Reading the SBL Number
The Section-Block-Lot number is the official identification and description of a property on the assessment roll under New York state rules. It has three parts. The section narrows the parcel to a broad geographic area of the tax map. The block identifies a group of lots within that section. The lot pinpoints the individual parcel.
If you don’t already know your SBL, look near the top of a recent property tax bill. It also appears on a recorded deed, and you can retrieve it by searching the Real Property Tax Lookup by owner name or address.
A Tax Map Is Not a Survey
This is the one point worth being clear on before you use the map for any real decision. Chautauqua County states that its tax maps “are not intended for and should not be used to establish boundary lines, locations, or to provide any other information needed for any purpose for which engineered drawings or plans, or surveys are required by law.”1Chautauqua County, New York. Geographic Information Systems
In practice, that means you shouldn’t rely on a tax map to place a fence, build near a property line, or resolve a boundary dispute with a neighbor. The data is provided as is, and the county disclaims warranties as to accuracy, completeness, or reliability, along with liability for how anyone uses the information. If you need legally defensible boundary lines, hire a licensed surveyor. The tax map is a reference for assessment and general planning.
Older Maps and Historical Research
For chain-of-title work or historical property research, the County Archives in the courthouse complex in Mayville holds the county’s largest repository of historical documents, with records dating back to 1811.3Chautauqua County Government. County Historian The county historian also runs a History Resource Hub online where you can review available collections before visiting.
Reaching the Real Property Tax Services Office
For a certified copy of a tax map, help interpreting parcel lines, or questions about assessed values and exemptions, contact the Real Property Tax Services office directly:4Chautauqua County, NY. Real Property Tax
- Address: 3 N. Erie St., Gerace Office Building, Mayville, NY 14757
- Phone: 716-753-4221
Staff can help with SBL lookups and tax map interpretation. Ownership and payment confirmations are handled through this office and the county Tax Map Division.