Parcel data can be searched by either the Parcel Number (PIN), an owner's name, or an address.  

Parcel Number:  The Parcel Number search requires either an exact thirteen character PIN or a PIN with dashes.  

Owner Name: The Owner Name search has an optional checkbox called 'Check for exact' which is defaulted on.  When the check for exact option is on each distinct word in the owner name text box is searched in full.  If the check for exact option is off then the search places wildcard characters before and after each word, thus assuming it may only be part of name.

Location Address:  The Location Address is queried by the combination of user input to five controls:

The Street Number field queries street numbers and street number suffixes.  Street number suffixes are assumed to be anything after the first space character and are queries using a implicit wildcards.  This means that an address of "123 Apartment B" or "123 Unit B" can be queried with "123 B".

The Street Name field queries street names, types, and pre or post directions.  A query of "W Main St" will only return addresses of "West Main Street", while a query of "Main Street" will return both "East Main Street" and "West Main St" results.  A query of "Main" would return

all "Main Street" addresses as well as other street types such as "Main Ave".

The City field queries the addresses postal code, so bordering addresses may be listed by an unexpected postal code.

The State field will always be "OH" for the Lorain County IMS.

The Zip field queries the addresses 5-digit zip code.

Note:  All fields are optional but non specific queries may return too many records and fail.

Each parcel identification number is built from larger pieces of land called Areas (Townships), Tracts, and Original Lots.  Specify an Area and optionally specify a Tract and Original Lot to find and Zoom to a region of interest.

Subdivisions can be queried either by name or the unique subdivision code assigned by the GIS department (which is what is display on the map).  The results provide an option to zoom to the subdivision on map and a link to view a scanned copy of the subdivision plat.  

Note: Condominiums can also be queried here.

School Districts can be searched by choosing the name from a drop down list.

Tax Districts can be searched by choosing the name, per school district, from a drop down list.

Communities can be searched by choosing the name from a drop down list.

The Points of Interest search is useful for searching for named locations such as Parks, Churches, Golf courses, and Malls.  The Points of interest search excepts wildcards and partial name searches.  For example "Golf" will return all named golf courses.

 County owned GPS survey points (monuments) can be queried their ID.