Skip to content
English
Sign In
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How to Add / Create a New Property

Add a missing address from the Property Finder, upload a batch of parcels, or correct a parcel already on file.

A missing property usually comes down to search, not a missing record. Before you create anything new, search the address a few different ways so your team does not end up working around a duplicate later.

In this article

Before you begin

Adding a property manually requires the Create New Property permission. Your system administrator can enable that permission in Account Settings under Role Management, inside the Property section.

Search the address before you add it. That step matters. Most cases where a property looks missing turn out to be a search mismatch, and a duplicate property creates cleanup work your team does not need.

Search for the property first

When you start a new record in a property-related module, the Find a property window opens automatically. If the address does not appear right away, use these checks first:

  1. Switch Keyword Search Type between Contains and Starts With. Contains is more forgiving and can match part of the address anywhere in the field.
  2. Change the search type from Address to APN/PIN if the address format on file may differ from the one you have.
  3. Search by Block and Lot when the address is uncertain.
  4. Review the Address, Block, Lot, and APN on each result before you select it.

Heads up: A block and lot search can return a different address than you expect on consolidated parcels. Confirm all four values before you move forward.

Add a single property from the Property Finder

  1. Start a new record in the relevant module.
  2. In the Find a property window, search for the address using the steps above.
  3. Confirm the property is not already in the system.
  4. Click Create New Property.
  5. Enter the property details and save.
  6. Select the new property and continue with the record form.

Once saved, the property becomes available across your GovPilot account. Your staff will be able to use that property in future records without creating it again.

Add properties in bulk (System Administrators)

When a full group of parcels is missing, bulk upload is the better path. That includes new developments, annexations, or larger tax record changes.

  1. Go to Account Settings.
  2. Select Tax Records Update.
  3. Prepare your CSV with the upload template.
  4. Upload the file.

These fields are required in the template:

Required column Notes
Parcel Identifier Must be unique for each parcel
Property Address The address your staff will search on
Owner 1 Name Primary owner of record

This is also the recommended way to refresh existing property and ownership data between assessment cycles.

Correct the details on an existing parcel

If the property already exists and the information is wrong, do not create a new property.

Open the Property Profile, then click the pencil icon in the property information section at the top of the page. Update the tax assessment details there.

Heads up: A manual parcel edit detaches that parcel from automatic bulk tax updates. Future Tax Records Update uploads will not overwrite that parcel. Use manual edits for one-off corrections. Use bulk upload when the parcel should stay in sync with broader tax data refreshes.

Troubleshooting

Create New Property is missing, or nothing happens when I click it

Your role does not have the Create New Property permission. Ask your system administrator to enable it in Account Settings under Role Management, in the Property section.

GovPilot says the property does not exist, but records were filed at that address before

Try the search variations above, especially Contains and APN/PIN. If the parcel was recently split or merged, it may now exist under a different identifier.

If you still cannot find it, contact GovPilot Support with the address and any previous permit number so the team can confirm what is on file.

I need to add a new unit at an address that already exists

Do not create a separate property. Open the Property Profile, click the Units dropdown, and add the unit there. After that, your staff can create records against that specific unit.

A record is attached to the wrong parcel

Use the Transfer action in the Data Viewer to move the record to the correct address. Editing the address field on the record does not move it between parcels, and creating a second property will not fix the association.

I need a record for a business or contractor with no parcel in our jurisdiction

Use Create New Property. That is the intended path for out-of-area addresses that still need to be tied to a record in GovPilot.

Key takeaways

  • Search thoroughly before you add a property.
  • Contains and APN/PIN resolve most cases where an address looks missing.
  • Single-property creation happens from the Find a property window through Create New Property.
  • Bulk additions and refreshes go through Account Settings → Tax Records Update.
  • Manual parcel edits stop future automatic tax updates for that parcel.
  • Units belong inside the existing Property Profile.
  • Misfiled records should be corrected with Transfer.

Related resources

If you still need help, reach out through in-app chat or email support@govpilot.com.