This page helps users handle a property search in San Bernardino County, California, by pointing them to the main Assessor property tools, parcel research options, and related county offices.

The San Bernardino County Assessor’s govPIMS portal and Assessor Property Information page are the main official starting points for parcel and assessment information.

Use the San Bernardino County Assessor’s search property information in govPIMS portal to look up publicly available parcel and assessment information through the county’s map-based property system.

Useful search paths shown in the portal include:

  • Parcel Search Utility
  • Situs Address Search Utility
  • Name Search Utility

After starting a search, review the available property panels and map tools before relying on any single result.

  • Open govPIMS in a supported browser.
  • Choose the parcel, situs address, or name search option that best matches the information you have.
  • Review the parcel result, property information, roll values history, parcel history, owner history, and related tabs when available.
  • Use the map, basemap, parcel utilities, or download report options when they help verify the property location or record details.

Important: Assessor property data is used for assessment purposes and should not be treated as a final determination of permitted use or legal ownership.

Assessor property information and parcel data

The San Bernardino County Assessor’s Property Information page explains the Assessor’s role in locating, describing, identifying ownership, establishing assessed values, listing assessment roll values, and applying legal exemptions.

The review Assessor property information options page also points users to the Public Assessor Map, which provides publicly available property information through an interactive map of San Bernardino County. The county recommends Chrome or Firefox for that application.

Users looking beyond a single parcel may also find Assessor property data files, parcel maps, property characteristics, owner transfer date files, current owner files, all owner files, parcel change files, subdivision index files, and Williamson Act parcel summaries on the Assessor’s property information page.

Property use, ownership, and official records limits

The County Assessor does not determine permitted property use. For questions about permitted use, property owners should contact the city where the property is located or the Land Use Services Department for unincorporated communities.

The Assessor also does not determine current legal ownership. For legal ownership questions, users are directed to a real estate attorney or title company. Official Public Records may also be searched through the Recorder’s Index.

The search the Official Public Records Recorder’s Index option covers indexed documents from 1925 to the present. The index includes document number, document date, document title, and grantor and grantee parties, but it does not provide online document images.

Property research for prior owners and permits

For chain of title research, the county explains that users need the legal description of the property and the name of the current owner. A legal description is different from a street address or Assessor’s parcel number.

Previous-owner research can be started in two ways: by appointment on site or online through the Recorder-Clerk’s Self-Service Web Portal. The grantor and grantee index is used to trace transfers backward by name, not by legal description.

For building permit research, start with the city where the property is located. If the property is in county jurisdiction, permit research can be handled through San Bernardino County Building and Safety customer service counters during operating hours. The Recorder and Historical Archives do not keep copies of building permits.

Assessment roll and property value history

The Assessor’s Annual Assessment Roll page provides countywide and city valuation information from 1978 to the present. It is useful for broad assessment roll history, while specific parcel property information should be researched through the Assessor Property Information page.

For property value disagreements, the Assessor encourages taxpayers to contact the Assessor’s Office for an informal review and provide information related to the value. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, an Assessment Appeal Application may be filed with the Clerk of the Board.

Change of mailing address for property records

If you own property in San Bernardino County, the Assessor’s Office uses the mailing address on file to deliver assessment notices, and that mailing address is also passed to the Treasurer-Tax Collector for property tax bills.

Mailing address changes may be made only by the owner of record or a pre-designated agent, and the request must be in writing. Include:

  • Assessor’s Parcel Number or physical address of the property
  • New mailing address
  • Signature of the property owner or agent
  • Printed name of the property owner or agent
  • Date
  • Phone number and/or email address

Accessibility help for Assessor online materials

If a disability affects access to Assessor website materials, the Assessor’s Office provides an alternate-format request path. Email the Assessor’s Office webmaster at Webmaster@arc.sbcounty.gov and include the nature of the accessibility need, preferred format, web address of the requested material, and full contact information.

Property search contacts

Use these contacts for Assessor property information, Recorder-Clerk services, and land use questions tied to parcel research.

  • San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415
    Assessor Services: (909) 387-8307
    Recorder-Clerk Services: (909) 387-8306
  • Land Use Services Department, County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92415
    Jerry Lewis High Desert Government Center, 15900 Smoke Tree St., Suite 131, Hesperia, CA 92345
    Phone: (909) 387-8311
  • Archives Contact Information
    Phone: (909) 386-8751

Common questions

Where do I search San Bernardino County property information online?

Start with the Assessor’s govPIMS property search portal for parcel, situs address, or name search options.

No. The Assessor does not determine current legal ownership. For ownership questions, contact a real estate attorney or title company, or search the Official Public Records Recorder’s Index.

Who handles questions about permitted property use?

For permitted use, contact the city where the property is located. For unincorporated communities, contact the Land Use Services Department.

Can I view official recorded document images online?

The Recorder’s Index is an index only and does not provide online document images. Document contents may be viewed by visiting the Hall of Records Recorder-Clerk’s office in San Bernardino or the High Desert Government Center in Hesperia.

How far back does the Recorder’s Index go?

The Official Public Records Recorder’s Index covers document searches from 1925 to the present.

What if I need older property ownership research?

For previous-owner research, use the grantor and grantee index with the legal description and current owner name. Records before 1958 are available on microfilm at the main Recorder office only.