Land records · Parcel maps · October 5, 2026
How to Find Out When a House Was Built
How to find out when a house was built: check the assessor's year built, building permits, deeds, plats, historic maps, and clues in the house itself.
How to find out when a house was built: start with the county assessor’s property record, which usually lists a “year built.” Then confirm it with building permit records, deeds and mortgages, the subdivision plat, historic maps and aerial photos, and physical clues in the house. Assessor dates are often estimates, especially for older homes, so cross-checking several sources gives a more reliable answer. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Sources to check
| Source | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Assessor property record | Year built and sometimes effective year after remodels |
| Building permits | Original construction permit and later work |
| Recorded plat | When the lot was created, the earliest a house could be built. See what is a recorded plat |
| Deeds and mortgages | Jumps in sale price or a construction loan signal a new house |
| Historic aerial photos | When a structure first appears |
| Fire insurance maps | Building footprints in many towns from the late 1800s to mid-1900s |
| City directories and census records | When people first lived at the address |
| Newspaper archives | Building announcements and listings |
Step 1: Assessor records
Search the county assessor or property appraiser website by address or parcel number. Look for “year built” or “effective year built.” See finding county property records and plats.
Step 2: Permits
The local building department may have the original construction permit, especially for homes built after permitting became common in the area. See how to find building permits for a property.
Step 3: Deeds and the chain of title
Trace sales backward. A lot that sold cheaply and then resold for much more a year or two later probably got a house in between. See what is chain of title.
Step 4: Maps and photos
Historic aerial imagery and old maps show when the building appeared. Comparing older plats and maps to current GIS also helps. See how old plats differ from current GIS.
Step 5: Clues in the house
- Dates stamped on the back of toilet tanks, sinks, or inside electrical panels.
- Building materials and framing methods.
- Newspaper used as insulation or lining.
- Architectural style typical of a period.
Fixtures can be replaced, so treat these as hints.
Why it matters
Age affects lead paint disclosures for homes built before 1978, insurance, historic designation, renovation planning, and expected lifespans of systems.
Tips for older homes
Houses built before local permitting began may have no construction permit at all, and assessor offices sometimes assigned a round number such as 1900 or 1920 when the true date was unknown. Local historical societies, libraries, and preservation offices often hold old photographs, house histories, and survey files for historic districts. Neighbors with similar houses may already have researched their own homes, which can narrow the date range for yours.
Remember that many homes grew over time. A rear wing, second story, or garage may be decades newer than the original core, so separate dates can apply to different parts of the same building.
Bottom line
To find out when a house was built, check the assessor’s year built, then confirm with permits, deeds, plats, historic aerials and maps, directories, and clues in the house. Look up the parcel and plat on the Platbookmapper map.
How to find out when a house was built FAQ
Where can I find the year a house was built?
The county assessor’s property record usually lists it.
Is the assessor’s year built accurate?
Often, but older dates may be estimates. Cross-check with other records.
Can building permits show when a house was built?
Yes, if original permits survive in the building department’s files.
How do historic maps help date a house?
They show when a structure first appears.
Why does the year built matter?
It affects disclosures, insurance, renovation planning, and historic status.