Searching for property ownership in Los Angeles County can be straightforward if you know where to look. Whether you’re a homeowner, real estate investor, or curious about a property’s history, this guide provides clear steps to access ownership records using official sources and third-party services. We’ll also cover additional resources, practical tips, and answers to common questions to help you navigate the process efficiently.
Official Sources for Property Ownership Records
Official county offices are the most reliable sources for property ownership information. Below are the primary offices to consider:
Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office
The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office maintains records of property ownership and assessed values. Each property is assigned a unique Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN), also called a parcel number, which is used to track ownership and tax details. Their public portal allows searches by address or AIN, providing basic information like owner names, assessed value, and property characteristics.
- Website: assessor.lacounty.gov
- Location: 500 West Temple Street, Room 320, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Contact: (213) 974-3211
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Note: While some data is available online, detailed records may require an in-person visit.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office holds official real estate records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and judgments. Records from 1851 to 1957 are stored on the lower level of their Norwalk Headquarters, while records from 1958 to the present are on the 2nd floor. Due to Government Code Section 6254.21, these records are not accessible online, so you must visit in person or schedule an appointment.
- Website: lavote.gov/home/recorder
- Location: 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
- Contact: (562) 462-2133
- Appointment Booking: Schedule up to two weeks in advance at mytime.com/express_checkout/123989
- Note: Records are indexed alphabetically by name and year, and telephone requests for index searches are not accepted.
Third-Party Services for Online Property Searches
For those seeking convenient online access, third-party services compile data from official sources and offer user-friendly platforms. These are ideal for quick searches or when in-person visits are not feasible.
PropertyShark
PropertyShark provides comprehensive property records for Los Angeles County, covering over 100 million properties nationwide with more than 180 data points per property. Their services include owner contact details, title documents, liens, tax history, zoning, sale prices, and more. They cater to property owners, investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, and researchers.
- Website: propertyshark.com
- Features:
- Free sample report for one property
- Subscription plans (Pro, Elite, Platinum) with monthly or annual options (annual plans save 17%)
- Data sourced from over 2,000 official and vetted sources, enhanced by a team of 80+ analysts
- Why Use It?: Offers a user-friendly interface and extensive data for quick online searches.
CourthouseDirect.com
CourthouseDirect.com provides access to Los Angeles County property records, including Assessor, Recorder, and Treasurer/Tax Collector data. Their Grantor/Grantee Indexes date back to 1988, and Document Images are available from 1977. The platform is updated monthly to ensure accuracy.
- Website: courthousedirect.com
- Features:
- Online search for property records
- Access to historical documents
- Contact numbers for county offices: Assessor (213-974-2111), Recorder (562-462-2133), Treasurer/Tax Collector (213-974-2111)
- Why Use It?: Convenient for accessing historical records without visiting county offices.
Additional Resources for Property Information
Beyond ownership records, you may need details about a property’s zoning, building permits, or historical data. Here are two key resources:
Department of Building and Safety
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) provides access to building records, including permits, inspections, and code enforcement details. These records are useful for understanding a property’s construction history or compliance with building codes.
- Website: ladbs.org/services/check-status/online-building-records
- Features: Online access to permit and inspection reports, parcel profile attributes, and Residential Property Reports for detailed property histories.
Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS)
ZIMAS, managed by the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, is a web-based tool for zoning information. It provides zoning designations, lot dimensions, and parcel maps, which are essential for understanding land use and development potential.
- Website: zimas.lacity.org
- Features: Comprehensive mapping data for properties within Los Angeles city limits.
Los Angeles Public Library
For historical property research, the Los Angeles Public Library offers resources like the Real Estate Atlas of Los Angeles County and the Land Use Planning and Management Subsystem (LUPAMS). These cover historic ownership and descriptive information from 1982 to 2014. City directories (1873–1942) and digitized California Voter Registrations (1900–1968) are also available for reverse address lookups.
- Website: lapl.org/collections-resources/research-guides/history-your-house
- Location: Central Library, 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tips for Conducting a Property Ownership Search
To make your search efficient and accurate, follow these practical tips:
- Start with Official Sources: The Assessor’s Office and Registrar-Recorder provide the most reliable data, especially for legal or financial purposes.
- Use Third-Party Services for Convenience: Platforms like PropertyShark or CourthouseDirect.com are ideal for quick online access or when you need multiple data points.
- Plan for In-Person Visits: Some records, particularly from the Registrar-Recorder, are only available in person, so schedule appointments in advance.
- Cross-Verify Information: Public records can contain errors, so check multiple sources to confirm accuracy.
- Define Your Purpose: Whether you’re buying a property, researching history, or resolving a legal issue, knowing your goal helps you focus on the right records.
- Check for Fees: Some services or document copies may involve costs, so confirm with the office or platform beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are answers to common questions about property ownership searches in Los Angeles County, addressing user intent from related searches and “People Also Ask” sections:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I search property ownership online for free in Los Angeles? | Basic information, like owner names and assessed values, may be available for free on the Assessor’s website (assessor.lacounty.gov). However, detailed records, such as deeds or liens, often require in-person visits or paid third-party services like PropertyShark. |
| What information is available in property records? | Property records include ownership details, deeds, mortgages, liens, tax assessments, sale history, zoning designations, and sometimes building permits. |
| How far back do property records go in Los Angeles County? | Records at the Registrar-Recorder date back to 1851, with older records (1851–1957) stored on the lower level and newer ones (1958–present) on the 2nd floor of their Norwalk office. Online access is limited to more recent records. |
| Are there any fees for accessing property records? | Official offices may charge for document copies, and third-party services often have subscription or per-report fees. Contact the specific office or platform for details. |
| Do I need to be a resident to access property records? | No, property records are public and accessible to anyone, though some services may require identification or account registration. |
| How do I find property records for an LLC-owned property? | If a property is owned by an LLC, check the California Secretary of State’s database (sos.ca.gov) for the LLC’s registered agent. Third-party services like PropertyShark can also help trace ownership. |
Property Ownership Data Overview
To give you a sense of property records in Los Angeles County, here’s a summary based on available data:
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Properties | Approximately 1,998,388 properties |
| Median Sale Price | $850,000 (25% higher than California average) |
| Average Property Taxes | $5,700 annually (18% higher than California average) |
| Median Assessed Value | $430,050 |
| Average Building Size | 1,550 sq ft |
| Average Lot Size | 0.165 acres |
| Construction Years | Most properties built between 1941–1984, some as early as 1801 |
Source: countyoffice.org/ca-los-angeles-county-property-records
Why This Matters
Property ownership searches are essential for various purposes, such as buying or selling property, resolving legal disputes, or researching a property’s history. Los Angeles County’s records are comprehensive but may require effort to access, especially for older documents. By combining official sources, third-party services, and additional tools like ZIMAS or LADBS, you can gather all the information you need.
Conclusion
Searching for property ownership in Los Angeles County is achievable with the right resources. Official sources like the Assessor’s Office and Registrar-Recorder provide accurate data, while third-party services like PropertyShark and CourthouseDirect.com offer convenient online access. Additional tools like ZIMAS and LADBS can provide zoning and building details. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you can efficiently find the property information you need.