The Mapping and Geographic Information Department is one of the most important departments to help Stafford achieve its daily mission of serving the public. The office supports the County with geographic analysis, survey control information, maps, data, large-format printing, training and technical support. The data helps inform the activities of everyone from the Fire and Rescue Department to the Commissioner of the Revenue to the Planning and Zoning Department. If you need information about any plot of land in Stafford County, Mapping and Geographical Information can provide it.
“Our interactive mapping alone provides a wealth of information for a piece of property – election districts, parcel outline, flood data, watershed and soil data – and so much more,” said David Capaz, Mapping and Geographic Information Program Manager. “We are critical to ensuring that there is a corresponding address for any property making its way through our Planning and Zoning Department and permitting process.”
A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This service provides a foundation for mapping and analysis used in almost every department of Stafford County. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication and efficiency and better management and decision-making.
One particularly crucial area of use is public safety. First responders rely on good data to make life-and-death decisions. The data Stafford’s Mapping and Geographic Information provide to public safety helps ensure firefighters, EMTs and deputies can quickly find the people who need help.
Mapping and Geographic Information provides multiple useful County maps on its webpage: an active residential development map; comprehensive plan land use map; election district maps, fire and rescue maps; no shoot zones maps, road and amenities map; service district maps; public school zone maps; zoning maps; and more. To learn more, visit the webpage for Mapping and Geographic Information on Stafford’s website (www.staffordcountyva.gov/mapping). Here you will find all sorts of links, including the County's updated "Interactive Map."