BrownDog search pointers

The new BrownDog interactive GIS map will quickly fetch information for you. A few pointers on how to use the search tools to retrieve a property or map of interest to you (woof!)

Simple Search (address or parcel ID number)
Most people have an address in mind when searching our records.  Others may have a parcel ID number.  The simple search lets you enter an address or parcel ID number in the search box on the upper left.  Then simply click "enter" on your keyboard to zoom to your location of interest.

Advanced Search

Click on the Advanced Search button directly underneath the simple search input box (scroll to the bottom of this article to see the screen shot if you can't find it).  After pressing this button, the following list of search options appear.  Most contain a search entry box or pick list, after entering your search text click the green "Execute" button to perform the search.  Many of the advanced search results will appear as a new layer in your layer list, which may be helpful for the map you are creating.  Also, you may need to use the tabs and/or back arrow that will appear near the top of the advanced search box to switch between search results and input screens.

• Parcel ID search:  Similiar do the Parcel ID search on the simple search box, except with advanced search you can scroll through a list of similar parcel ID numbers and then click to zoom to each.
• Land Owner search:  Before you begin with this type of search: Our privacy policy requires you first register on this page (click here)  to request a login and password via email.  Once you have received your login & password, you can search by land owner name (you'll be prompted to enter the user name & password when you use this tool).   Enter the land owner's last name (or business name). You are not required to enter the land owner's first name, but this option is available to help you narrow down your search if needed.  Another way to narrow down your search geographically is to use a "spatial filter", where you can zoom to a specific area first, then set the spatial filter to "only return features within the current map extent" to bring up land owners only within your zoom extent.  The default spatial filter setting will return land owners within the entire county.   
• Address / common name search:  Search business names or other landmarks. Initial results are a subset from which you can choose the final location to zoom to. For example, a Common Name search on McDonalds will list all of these restaurants along with the address & city; From this list click on which McDonalds you want to zoom to it on the map.
• Street search:  Enter a street name or pick the drop-down list to get a list of all streets in & near Brown County (by municipality). Clicking in the results list will highlight the street you chose and zoom to it on the map.
• Subdivision / CSM search:  Enter a subdivision name (partial name is OK) then press the green Execute button.  If searching for a CSM (Certified Survey Map) number or Register of Deeds Document Number, you may enter and click "Execute". 
• PLSS search:  The best way to use this search option is to click the drop-down box to get a list of all Town, Range, and Section number combinations available in Brown County, then click "Execute" to zoom to the section you chose.  You can also start typing and then choose from the options that appear.  This works for Town/Range/Section PLSS (Public Land Survey System) types as well as Brown County's Private Claims, Williams Grant, Fort Howard Military Reserve lots, etc.  The search result will highlight in red and appear in your layer list as a PLSS search result. 
• Park search:  Type a park name or click the drop-down box to choose from a list of all parks in Brown County.  The results will zoom you to the park address and list the amenities available within the park (whether it has a shelter, playground, sports facilities, and more).
• School search: Enter a school name or pick from the list then click the green execute button to zoom to the school property. 
• POWTS search:  Enter the county zoning internal number for the POWTS (Private Onsite Waste Treatment System).  Note:  This type of search is intended for plumbers/installers and others who use this internal number.  If you simply want to look at what system is available on a particular property, use the address search, or another method to find & zoom to the property of interest.  Then simply turn on the POWTS layer in the layer list. This will show the POWTS system on the property.  Click on the system symbol to bring up the type of system and other information about it. 

The above summarizes the types of searches available at the time of this writing (3/3/2017). Other searches may be added in the future, and the above searches may be improved.   

How the search tools first appear on the BrownDog interactive GIS mapping app

Of course, with GIS, there is a different way to find information about a location even if you don't know an address or any of the other search options above:  You can always use the map navigation tools to zoom to an area of interest & then just click on on the map to call up the various popup boxes.  In other words, just zoom in, then poke at the map to call up information.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact the Brown County Land Information Office at (920) 448-6295 or send a message.