Where are condo lots recorded?

Question

I recently looked up some property lots down at the Orange County Records office, and I although I found one property I was looking for, I couldn't find a map of the lots of a condominium complex. Are they recorded in a different fashion than normal property lots? They are after all so small and on top of one another.

Thanks

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

Here's an example of a condo parcel map showing the different units. Full size readable versions are available from the recorder's office... for a fee of course.

Steve L. · Answer

Condos are given in APN (assessors parcel numbers). You can search ownership history, property information from the APN number.

There are many places you can get the APN with the address and unit #.  Usually the MLS has it or the county tax collector provides it too.

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

Thanks for your help Jon. Hopefully it helps Mark find what he's looking for.

Jon Holdman · Answer

I see the diagram on my iPad with safari but not on my PC with Firefox.  Sheesh.  But it may have been their site because I couldn't see anything with  the raw link to the image from my PC and now I can.

That map looks more like a town home map.  At least its similar to other town home maps I've seen where the town home owns the land under the unit.

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

I guess that image isn't showing up on other computers, although I can see it on mine. WTF? Stupid computers!

Here is a link that hopefully works (from the San Diego County Recorder's office). If it works, click on the red arrow above the images to see the individual condo unit maps.

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/parcelmap/search.aspx?FileNum=319-31

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

The legal description of a condo will read something like this:

And so on. What you're looking for, I'm assuming, is the Condominium Plan. Contact the HOA for a copy or ask the county clerk for help locating it.

Mark Hu · Answer

How is condo ownership recorded in county archives, when there is no property lot?

Jon Holdman · Answer

If they're truly condos, not townhomes, then there are no "condo lots".  That's the definition of a condo.  You own the space inside the unit but nothing else.  Everything else is owned by the HOA.  A townhome, OTOH, owns the land under the townhome while the HOA owns the rest of the property.