Frequently Asked Questions - mapAsheville
Previous  Next
  1. How do I access mapAsheville?
  2. What are the system requirements for mapAsheville?
  3. How do I get support for mapAsheville?
  4. Are there any tutorials for mapAsheville?
  5. How do I locate a property?
  6. How do I determine the zoning for a property?
  7. How do I determine the tax information for a property?
  8. How do I locate a street?
  9. How do I locate an address?
  10. How do I Geocode an address?
  11. How do I make a layer active?
  12. How do I display a layer?
  13. How do I produce mailing labels?
  14. The Print Map button resulted in a blank page how do I fix this?
  15. How do I provide feedback for this application?
  16. How do I report errors or application bugs?
  17. Why is the layer name and visibility toggle box "grayed out"?
  18. What does the icon next to the layer name indicate?
  19. What does the red text next to the layer name indicate?

How do I access mapAsheville?
The are several ways to access mapAsheville. 
  • Using the main website.
  • Using the simple search page designed for access to a streamlined interface for basic users.
  • Using the standard GIS  page designed for direct access to the advanced GIS user’s interface.

    • What are the system requirements for mapAsheville?
    System
    mapAsheville requires a PC with an internet connection and a web browser.
    System Settings
    It is preferred but not required that your screen size is set greater than 800 x 600.
    It is preferred but not required that your connection speed is something faster than dial-up.
    Browser Requirements
    The web browser must be current.  Examples Internet explorer 5.5 or greater, Netscape 6.0 or greater, and any version of Firefox.
    You must have a PDF reader plug-in such as Adobe® Reader® which is available for free at http://www.adobe.com/ . (Note: preferred Adobe® Reader® version is 7.0 or greater )
    JavaScript must be enabled or allowed for this site. (http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/ ). Note: See your browsers help to do this.
    Pop-up’s must be enabled or allowed for this site (http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/). Note: See your browsers help to do this.

    How do I get support for mapAsheville?
    The best source of support is the mapAsheville help pages or this Frequently asked questions (FAQS) page.
    Limited technical support for public users and full technical support support for City of Asheville staff users is provided by email @ helpdesk@ashevillenc.gov to users of mapAsheville
    Please email WebGIS@ashevillenc.gov for other mapAsheville inquires.

    Are there any tutorials for mapAsheville?
    Yes. There are several places with tutorials to get you started using mapAsheville.
    1. Basic using the simple searches

    2. Advanced using the standard GIS tools. Coming soon!

    3. This page - Frequently asked questions (FAQS).


    How do I locate a property?
    There are several ways to locate a property with mapAsheville.
    1. Use the simple search page and find by Parcel Identification Number (PIN).
      2. To locate a parcel through its parcel identification number or PIN.
      1. Go to the simple search page at http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/search.asp.  Find the Search by PIN text box.
      2. Enter a PIN.  As the PIN is entered the page will automatically generate choices that match.
      3. Single-Click the correct PIN in the list and hit enter, or click the Get Map Button.  The map will zoom, select, and highlight the features matching the PIN.
    2. Use the simple search page and find by Owner name.
      3. To locate a parcel through the Owner.
      1. Go to the simple search page at http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/search.asp.  Find the Search by Owner text box.
      2. Enter an Owner Name, the correct method is Last Name first.  As the Owner Name is entered the page will automatically generate choices that match.  The result list will contain the Owner Name, [Physical address] , and PIN - the Parcel Identification Number (PIN).
      3. Single-Click the correct Owner in the list and hit enter, or click the Get Map Button.  The map will zoom, select, and highlight features matching the Owner.
    3. Use the standard GIS Select by attribute tool to find any attribute of a property, this includes PIN and owner.

      4. Please refer to the help page on  Select by attribute or complete information. 
      1. Single-Click on the button.
      2. The select by attributes pop-up will provide a list of fields for the active layer
      3. Single-Click on a field to query from.
      4. The field name will be added to the query box.
      5. Single-Click a logical operator the logical operator will be added to the query box.
      6. In the query box enter the attribute value to search for.  Select a Parcel query examples:
        • PINNUM= '964807592724 '
        • PINNUM like '9648075927%'
        • OWNER = 'CITY OF ASHEVILLE'
        • OWNER LIKE 'CITY OF ASHE%'
        • OWNER LIKE 'CITY OF ASHE%'  AND  PINNUM like '9648075927%' ( for best results with a wild card include both the pinnum (PIN) and owner (owner name) )
        Note: All text searches must use single quotes.

        7. Note: The text search wildcard is % and requires the logical operator LIKE.

      7. Single-Click the execute button to execute the query.


        8. OR
      8. Single-Click the cancel button to cancel and exit the pop-up.
      9. Single-Click the clear text to clear all text in the query box.


    How do I determine the zoning for a property?
    1. Use one of the methods above to locate a property.
    2. Make the zoning layer the active layer.
      1. Single-Click somewhere around the layer’s legend swatch or the layer’s name to make the layer the active layer.
        2. The active layer is used to determine the layer tool bar actions effect.
      2. The active layer is shaded light blue otherwise it is shaded white.
      • Not active:
      • Active:


      Note:  There can be only one active layer.
    3. Click the Identify icon on the mapAsheville toolbar.
      1. After thebutton is Single-Clicked the identify pop-up will appear.
      2. The user must Single-Click on or near the feature on the map.
      3. The application will return the attributes for the feature(s) to the pop-up.
    4. Click on the map, over the red highlighted parcel on the map.

    5. The Districts field holds the zoning classification.



      6. OR
    6. Use the select by Buffer tool to select the zoning district.

      7. Please refer to the help page on select by Buffer or complete information. 
      1. Single-Click on the button.

      2. The application will provide a list of layers in the map Single-Click or choose a layer to query ( to select features from). 

      3. The application will provides a second list of layers in the map Single-Click or choose a layer to use as the overlay (using selected features from). 

      4. Enter a distance to search around the selected featurein the active layer (can be 0).

      5. Choose or Single-Click a unit for the distance.

      6. Single-Click the execute button to execute the query


        7. OR
      1.  Single-Click the cancel button to cancel and exit the pop-up.
      Then use the View Selected Attributes tool to determine the zoning district.

    How do I determine the tax information for a property?
    1. Use one of the methods above to locate a property or parcel.
    2. Make the layer BC Parcels the active layer.
      1. Single-Click somewhere around the layer’s legend swatch or the layer’s name to make the layer the active layer.
        2. The active layer is used to determine the layer tool bar actions effect.
      2. The active layer is shaded light blue otherwise it is shaded white.
      • Not active:
      • Active:


      Note:  There can be only one active layer.
    3. Click over the red highlighted parcel on the map.

    4. Review all attribute for the parcel.

    5. Scroll the list to find the PROPCARD attribute for the parcel.

    6. Click on the "More info..." link to get the Buncombe County Property Card.


    How do I locate a street?
    There are several ways to locate a street with mapAsheville.
    1. Use the simple search page and find by Street.
      2. To locate a street.  Please note: This method does not  identify parcels!
      1. Go to the simple search page at http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/search.asp.  Find the Search by Street text box.
      2. Enter a Street Name.  As the Street Name is entered the page will automatically generate choices that match.  The result list will contain the [address range], Street Name, [zip code] , and center line identification number.
      3. Single-Click the correct Owner in the list and hit enter, or click the Get Map Button.  The map will zoom, select, and highlight features matching Owner.

      OR

    2. Use the standard GIS Select by attribute tool to find any attribute of a street, this includes street name and address range.

      3. Please refer to the help page on  Select by attribute or complete information. 
      1. Single-Click on the button.
      2. The select by attributes pop-up will provide a list of fields for the active layer
      3. Single-Click on a field to query from.
      4. The field name will be added to the query box.
      5. Single-Click a logical operator the logical operator will be added to the query box.
      6. In the query box enter the attribute value to search for.  Select a Street query examples:
        • STREET_NAME = 'COURT'
        • STREET_NAME like '%'COUR%'
        • STREET_NAME = 'COURT' AND  STREET_TYPE =  'PZ' ( for best results include the street_type )
        Note: All text searches must use single quotes.

        7. Note: The text search wildcard is % and requires the logical operator LIKE.
      7. Single-Click the execute button to execute the query.


        8. OR
      8. Single-Click the cancel button to cancel and exit the pop-up.
      9. Single-Click the clear text to clear all text in the query box.


    How do I locate an address?
    There are several ways to locate an address with mapAsheville.
    1. Use the simple search page and find by Address.
      2. To locate a structure through the address.  Please note: This method does not  identify parcels!
      1. Go to the simple search page at http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/search.asp.  Find the Search by Address text box.
      2. Enter the complete Address. If you include the zip code you must use a comma.  As the Address is entered the page will automatically generate choices that match.  The result list will contain the Address, and Zip Code.
      3. You may also omit the house number to return a list of all addresses.
      4. Single-Click the correct address in the list and hit enter, or click the Get Map Button.  The map will zoom, select, and highlight features matching the Address.

      OR

    2. Use the standard GIS Select by attribute tool to find any attribute of a address, this includes street name and house number.

      3. Please refer to the help page on  Select by attribute or complete information. 
      1. Single-Click on the button.
      2. The select by attributes pop-up will provide a list of fields for the active layer
      3. Single-Click on a field to query from.
      4. The field name will be added to the query box.
      5. Single-Click a logical operator the logical operator will be added to the query box.
      6. In the query box enter the attribute value to search for.  Select an Address query Examples:
        • STREET_NAME = 'COURT'
        • STREET_NAME like '%'COUR%'
        • STREET_NAME = 'COURT' AND  STREET_NUMBER = 70  ( for good results include the street_number )
        • STREET_NAME = 'COURT' AND  STREET_NUMBER = 70 STREET_TYPE = 'PZ' AND ( for best results add the street_type  )
        Note: All text searches must use single quotes.

        7. Note: The text search wildcard is % and requires the logical operator LIKE.

      7. Single-Click the execute button to execute the query.


        8. OR
      8. Single-Click the cancel button to cancel and exit the pop-up.
      9. Single-Click the clear text to clear all text in the query box.


    How do I Geocode an address?
    There are several ways to Geocode an address with mapAsheville.
    1. Use the simple search page and Geocode an Address.
      1. Go to the simple search page at http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/search.asp. Find the Search by Owner text box.
      2. Enter an address without the zip code!.
      3. Single-Click the correct zip code from the list and hit enter, or click the Get Map Button.  The map will zoom and highlight the Geocoded location.

      OR

    2. Using the standard GIS page select the Geocode an Address tool. 
      Please refer to the help page on Geocode an Address for complete information.
      3. Ensure that the active layer has a geocoding index built. The layer name will have the icon after it.
      1. Single-Click on the button.

        2. From the geocode an address Pop-up:
      2. Enter an address.
      3. Next enter a Zip Code.
      4. If geocoding a street intersection, enter the cross street.

        Note: Make sure there is no house number in the address box when geocoding an intersection.
      5. Single-Click the execute button to search for the address.

        6. OR
      6. Single-Click Cancel to exit the pop-up without geocoding.

    How do I make a layer active?
    Please refer to the help page on active layer for complete information.
    1. Single-Click somewhere around the layer’s legend swatch or the layer’s name to make the layer the active layer.
      2. The active layer is used to determine the layer tool bar actions effect.
    2. The active layer is shaded light blue otherwise it is shaded white.

    Note:  There can be only one active layer.

    How do I display a layer?
    Please refer to the help page on layer visibility for complete information.
    The user must Single-Click the check box in order to toggle the layer visibility.
    Layer Visible: checked

    Layer not visible: unchecked


    How do I produce mailing labels?
    Please refer to the help page on mailing labels for complete information.
    • After the button is Single-Clicked a browser dependent pop-up will appear asking to download or save the file.
    • Choose the appropriate option (both will work).
    • Use a saved version of the spread sheet to do a Mail Merge in MS Word.

    How do I provide feedback for this application?
    Please email helpdesk@ashevillenc.gov to provide feedback or suggestions for mapAsheville application.

    How do I report errors or application bugs?
    Please email helpdesk@ashevillenc.gov to report any errors or bugs with the mapAsheville application.

    Why is the layer name and visibility toggle box "grayed out"?
    This is an intended feature.  For improved performance some layers are limited to predetermined  map scales.  When the layer name and visibility toggle box are "grayed out" the user will not be able to change the visibility of the layer.  All other actions with layer will work.

    The Print Map button resulted in a blank page how do I fix this?
    Update your PDF reader.  The problem seems to occur with Adobe® Reader® 5.0 and some web browsers.  Got to http://www.adobe.com/ download and install Adobe® Reader® 7.0 to resolve this issue.  If the problem continues to happen after installing Adobe® Reader® 7.0 please email helpdesk@ashevillenc.gov  and let us know your web browser version and operating system so we can try and find a solution.

    What does the icon mean next to the layer name indicate?
    This indicates that the layer has geocoding index built and is available for geocoding.

    What does the red text next to the layer name indicate?
    This indicates that the amount of selected features in a layer.  A layer with zero features selected will have no layer text.