Search Washtenaw County, MI Property Records

Washtenaw County, Michigan, property records can be searched through county offices and local municipal sources. County offices, such as the Register of Deeds, maintain records of documents like deeds and mortgages. Municipal offices in the village, cities, and townships maintain zoning, assessment, and building permit records related to local property development.

In the county, housing indicators include a median home value of $347,400.00, a median rent of $1,371.00, a median household income of $89,125.00, and a median real estate tax rate of 1.48%.

Many property records in Washtenaw County, MI, are searchable online, in person, by mail request, or by email inquiry to the appropriate office. The main office that typically maintains and indexes these records is the Register of Deeds.

This office keeps recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, foreclosures, and other property-related filings. These records are accessible to the public through the Online Land Record Search portal for convenience. Online searches are free, but printing or saving the document images will cost $1.20 per page.

For certified or hard copies, individuals must fill out the Real Estate Records Copy Request Form and mail it to:

Washtenaw County Register of DeedsP.O. Box 8645 Ann Arbor, MI 48107

Before beginning a search, users typically need key details such as the property address, parcel number, or owner name. For document requests, additional information like the document type, grantor or grantee names, recording year, or book and page numbers may help narrow results.

Some records may have limitations. For example, certain historical records may only be available in the office, and some personal information may be restricted from public display. Additionally, zoning, building permits, or land use information may be maintained by city or township offices, not the County Register of Deeds.

For broader research, PropertyChecker can also be used as an alternative search platform. It allows users to look up property ownership, liens, and other real estate data from multiple sources in one place.

Property Ownership and Title Information

Ownership and title records in Washtenaw County can be accessed through the County Register of Deeds. These records can include deeds, mortgages, land contracts, easements, and subdivision plats. Individuals can access these records through the Online Land Record Search portal.

Those who want to be more thorough in their search can go to the Register of Deeds Office in Ann Arbor, where staff can help locate recorded land documents. In-person visits are by appointment, so individuals must call 734-222-6710 or email Deeds@Washtenaw.org in advance.

Certified and hard copies are requested by mail using the Real Estate Records Copy Request Form and sent to the Register of Deeds.

Property Sales and Transaction History

In Washtenaw County, property sales and transaction records can be accessed through the Property/Parcel Lookup portal. It provides parcel-level data maintained by the Equalization Department and local township or city property appraisers.

Searches can be performed using a property address, parcel number, or owner name to review available sale dates, sale prices, property characteristics, and tax assessment details.

Users may also verify recorded transfers through the Register of Deeds, where deeds, which typically show property sales, are indexed and available for viewing or purchase.

Another option is PropertyChecker. The platform compiles property information into a single report that may include sale dates, prices, and recorded deeds, without the need to search multiple county systems. It can also enable property monitoring by allowing users to set alerts and receive notifications when new sales or deeds are recorded.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

Property tax assessments in Washtenaw County are handled by local property tax assessors and coordinated through the Equalization Department. Assessment details can be viewed through the Property/Parcel Lookup portal using an address, parcel number, or owner name.

Tax bills, payment status, and delinquent taxes are maintained by the County Treasurer. The office provides online access to current and past tax payment records through the following options:

Current Tax Search

Delinquent Tax Search

Individuals who disagree with an assessed value may file an appeal with their local March Board of Review with the Board of Review Petition (L-4035) form. The dates and appeal process are typically outlined in the annual assessment notices issued by municipal assessing offices to property owners every March 1.

If the decision is not satisfactory, individuals may write a written appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

Individuals can access property characteristics and parcel details in Washtenaw County through the Property/Parcel Lookup portal. This property parcel search tool allows users to locate records using a property address, parcel number, or owner name. The property interface shows different sorts of information about the property.

Available information may include property classification, year built, building size, number of rooms, land area, lot dimensions, and acreage. Additional parcel attributes, like parcel boundaries, may also be viewable through the County GIS Data Portal.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

Zoning and land use records in Washtenaw County are primarily maintained by local city, village, and township planning offices rather than a single countywide office. Individuals can review zoning districts, permitted land uses, and development regulations through their local municipality’s planning department.

For example, in the City of Ann Arbor, zoning maps, ordinances, and planning documents for properties can be accessed through the Planning Services Division.

For county-level planning information, zoning resources, and regional planning materials, visit the County Planning Division under the Parks and Recreation Commission. Parcel boundaries and planning layers can also be viewed using the Washtenaw County GIS Data Portal.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

Legal documents affecting property in Washtenaw County are recorded and indexed by the Register of Deeds. Common records include deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and plats. These documents can be searched through the Online Records Search portal using names, document types, or recording details.

Court-related filings such as judgments or foreclosure actions may also be available through the Washtenaw County Trial Court.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

In Washtenaw County, building permits, inspection records, and construction approvals are maintained by local building departments. For example, in the City of Ann Arbor, building permit records and inspection information are available through the Building, Rental, and Inspection Services unit and its online Stream portal.

Many communities also process permits through the County Permitting, Inspections & Requests Online Portal. Users can search permit and status information for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Interactive property maps in Washtenaw County are available through the County GIS Data Portal, which hosts the county’s official GIS viewer and downloadable spatial datasets. Through this portal, users can review parcel boundaries, aerial photos, property addresses, transportation layers, and geographic features tied to individual parcels.

The GIS parcel database covers more than 124,000 parcels distributed throughout the county’s 706-square-mile land area. Some municipalities may also have their own repository for local maps that individuals can access.

To perform a parcel lookup in Washtenaw County, use the County Property/Parcel Lookup tool available through the county website. The tool combines real estate data from the County Treasurer and the Equalization and Property Description Department.

Searches can be conducted using a Parcel Number, Street Name, Street Number, or Range of Street Numbers, City, Village or Township, or Taxpayer Name.

The Parcel Number must be 12 characters in the format XX-XX-XX-XXX-XXX, including all spaces. When entering a street name, include only the name itself without a suffix such as St. or Rd. Taxpayer Name entries should list the last name first. Click "Search" to display results or "Reset" to clear all fields.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$1,371.00

Michigan	$850.00
National	$840.25

• +61.3 %
  vs Michigan
• +63.2 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$347,400.00

Michigan	$147,900.00
National	$173,750.00

• +134.9 %
  vs Michigan
• +99.9 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$89,125.00

Michigan	$59,874.00
National	$65,108.00

• +48.9 %
  vs Michigan
• +36.9 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.48%

Michigan	1.13%
National	0.74%

• +31.0%
  vs Michigan
• +100.0 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

2.1%

Michigan	2.94%
National	2.87%

• -28.6 %
  vs Michigan
• -26.8 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

32.79%

Michigan	14.56%
National	21.81%

• +125.2 %
  vs Michigan
• +50.3 %
  vs National

The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds is responsible for recording and indexing property-related legal documents. Records maintained by the office include deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, land contracts, and plats, many of which date back to the 19th century.

These recorded documents provide the legal foundation for property ownership. These records are referenced by assessors and local planning departments when updating property values, parcel ownership, and zoning or land use information.

These records are typically accessible online through the Online Land Record Search portal, where individuals can search for free. Viewing and downloading non-certified images online will cost $1.20 per page.

For a more thorough search, individuals can visit the Register of Deeds office. They can also fill out the Real Estate Records Copy Request form and mail it to the office. For appointments or assistance, contact 734-222-6710 or Deeds@Washtenaw.org. Certified copies are $1 per page with a $5 certification fee.

While county offices manage core records such as deeds, some property information in Washtenaw County is maintained at the municipal level. Individuals may need to contact the appropriate local office for these records.

Currently, there are 25 municipalities in Washtenaw County. Select a city, township, or village from the list to access its official website for details on local property records.

Residents should contact their city, village, or township assessor, planning department, or building office when requesting assessment records, zoning details, permit history, or local development records not handled at the county level.

• Ann Arbor Township
• Augusta Township
• Barton Hills Village
• Bridgewater Township
• City of Ann Arbor
• City of Chelsea
• City of Dexter
• City of Manchester
• City of Milan
• City of Saline
• City of Ypsilanti
• Freedom Township
• Lima Township
• Lodi Township
• Lyndon Township
• Northfield Township
• Pittsfield Township
• Salem Township
• Saline Township
• Scio Township
• Sharon Township
• Sylvan Township
• Webster Township
• York Township
• Ypsilanti Township