Investing basics - Where to find Assessor Property Data?

[Sean H.]

Hi Guys,

I have a question on where to find assessor data on properties (size, bedrooms, etc), specifically in Southern California (Orange County, Inland Empire)? I have gone to the property tax assessor's website and found the property tax bill, but it does not tell me any information on the property, just the tax payments and values. 

I went to Zillow and they have the assessor data listed, and you click "data sources" under county records, and it takes me to the Auditor/Tax Controller website for that county with the property (https://www.mytaxcollector.com/trPropInfo_PI.aspx?...). However this doesn't tell me any information about what the assessor has listed for bedrooms, baths, etc and what I would want to cross reference to give me a clue if something is permitted (more follow up would be required, obviously). 

My question is how do you find this data? Do you have to go through a 3rd party source? I know this is all public records data, however I just can't find where to get it.  The OC property assessor website is:

http://ocgov.com/gov/assessor/personalproperty

OC Property Tax:

http://tax.ocgov.com/tcweb/search_page.asp

Thanks again and hopefully this is an easy lesson to learn!