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Maps and Atlases: Property and Base Maps

This guide helps you find maps and atlases that can be used in course assignments, or for your research.

Property and Base Maps

Base and property maps are detailed city maps that cover small geographic areas (ie. 500 m by 500 m, or 1000 m by 1000 m). These maps (or plans) display building footprints, building addresses, property/lot boundaries, and streets. The City of Toronto calls these maps, "Property Data Plans", whereas other municipalities or regions in Ontario may use another name for this type of map. 

Property Data Plans (City of Toronto)

The City of Toronto base maps are called, "Property Data Plans". These maps are produced by the City of Toronto Survey and Mapping Services. Each map covers a small geographic area in the city and show building footprints, building addresses, streets, sidewalks, elevation points, traffic light poles, light poles, street sewer coverings, street trees etc. York University Libraries has a collection of the print (sheet map and book format) and digital versions (autocad and pdf formats). 

Property Data Plan Books
Print Sheet Maps

Below is a list of the property data maps located in the map cabinets in the Map Collection located on the first floor of Scott Library. These maps are in-library use only.  The index maps are located in the same drawer as the maps. 

  • Metropolitan Toronto Property Data Maps. 2007. Map Cabinet #32 and 33. Call Number G/3524/T61/2/2007
  • Metropolitan Toronto Property Data Maps. 2002  Map Cabinet #32 and 33. Call Number G/3524/T61/2/2002
  • City of Toronto Property Data Maps. 1998. Map Cabinet #34. Call Number G/3534/T61/2/1998 
  • City of Toronto Property Data Maps, 1981. Map Cabinet #34. Call Number G/3524/T62/A1/2/1981
  • City of Toronto Base Maps. 1978.Map Cabinet #34. Call Number G/3524/T62/A1/4/1978
  • City of Toronto Land Use Maps. 1966. Map Cabinet #34. Call Number G/3524/T62/G43/1/1966. These maps show building footprints.
Property Data Plans - PDF Format

York University Libraries has City of Toronto Property Data Plans in PDF format for 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015. These maps are available for research and educational purposes, only for members of the York University community. To obtain a copy of the map in PDF format, request the data via our GAIA request system; specify the title, tile numbers, format, and the year you would like. Consult the PDM Index Map to determine which tiles you need.

Property Data Plans - Vector Data Formats

York University Libraries has a collection of City of Toronto Property Data Plans in digital vector formats for use in AutoCAD or Geographic Information Systems. Consult the Geospatial Data Guide for more information.