Parcel number (APN)
The identifier a county assigns to each parcel for tax and mapping purposes.
An assessor’s parcel number — APN, PIN, or property ID depending on the county — is how the county tells one piece of land from another in its tax roll and maps. Its format varies from county to county, with dashes, letters, and leading zeros that matter.
Why it matters
Addresses are ambiguous and rural land often has none. The parcel number is the reliable key for looking up assessor records, tax bills, zoning, and recorded documents. It is not a legal description, though: the deed and the survey define the boundary, and parcel maps are drawn for taxation, not for settling where a fence goes.
Related terms
- Zoning
Local rules that divide land into districts and set what each may be used for and how it may be built on.
Articles on this topic
- Analyzing a property with Terranown: a walkthroughSeptember 30, 2026
- What a land report should tell you — and how to judge oneJuly 28, 2026
- How to research a property yourself, step by stepMay 20, 2026
- Why you should analyze land before you buy itMarch 12, 2026
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