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King County Road Services - Map and Records Center research resources

Research assistance

About the records we maintain

The Map and Records Center of King County Road Service Division maintains records relevant to King County roadways. These records are a resource for research conducted by landowners, technical professionals and historians.

Map and Records Center staff are available to assist with research regarding:

Construction drawings
Channeling and striping
Road surfacing
Storm water drainage
Bridges and guardrail installation
Historical survey data
Monumentation
Field books
Profiles
Section breakdowns
Road establishment
Plats
Deeds
Public right-of-way

Essential roadway research resources

Road Map Vault
The Road Map Vault is a database containing scanned images of documents in the Map and Records Center including but not limited to road construction plans, road establishment documents and survey drawings. This database is updated as new documents are received by the Map and Records Center.

King County Recorders Office Records Search
This link is the portal to Recorders Office online Records Search for plats, surveys and easements.

King County Parcel Viewer
Entering a property address, a parcel number or street intersection will produce links specific to the property such as a property report, a district report and a link to any associated permits filed through the Department of Development and Environment Services (DDES). The property report provides information useful for roads research such as the section, township and range and a link to the appropriate Assessor Quarter Section Map.

King County Department of Assessments eMap Search
This link is a short cut to the online collection of Assessor Quarter Section Maps. Assessor Maps contain useful information for roads research including historic and contemporary road names, recording numbers, survey numbers, the original county road numerical reference and plat names.

King County Archives
A repository of historical county government records, which are open to the public to view, by appointment only. Over three hundred collections, some dating back to 1853, serve as a permanent source of information about activities, programs, and decisions of King County agencies and elected officials. The records are in many formats, including paper, photographs, maps, and audio-visual materials. All records are open to the public by appointment.

King County GIS Map Index
An online index of various maps and resources courtesy of King County Department of Natural Resources' GIS Center.

eReal Property System
King County road systems and right-of-ways often abut with tax parcels. Use the Assessor’s online application to view parcel characteristics, values and sale history.

Questions?

Please give us a call at 206-296-6548 or send us an e-mail if you need help with your research project. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., PST, except on government holidays and county furlough days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related topics

Frequently-asked questions

Following are answers to common questions we frequently receive.

Road closures and road problems

Q: Where can I find information about road conditions and closures in unincorporated King County?

A: Visit the King County Road Alert Web site

Q: Where do I report problems with a county road?

A: Contact the King County 24/7 Road Helpline.

Drainage problems

Q: Where do I report drainage problems?

A: Contact the King County Drainage and Water Quality Complaint Investigation Line

Q: Where can I find information about the development of my property?

A: Make a Department of Development and Environmental Services records request

Q: Where can I find information about stormwater drains?

A: Visit the King County stormwater services Web site.

Q: Where can I find information about my septic tank?

A: Request an "as-built" map of your septic system.

Q: Where can I access floodplain maps?

A: Visit King County's floodplain maps Web site.