Property Search

This article explains, step by step, how to use Benton County’s official online tools to complete a thorough property search. You’ll learn how to choose the right search type, decode parcel numbers, filter by legal descriptions, review subdivision and condo records, check assessments and tax details, and navigate authoritative county maps. Everything below is based on official county resources and is written for everyday users who want accurate, practical results.

Launch the official Benton County WA property search portal

Begin on the county’s online search application. From one starting point, you can look up property by account number, address, owner/business name, parcel/Geo ID, or legal description; you can also pivot to sales and map-based searches. To open the tool, use the Benton County Property Search application and its on-screen tabs for Property, Sales, and Map lookups.
Visit the county’s application: use the Benton County Property Search.

What you’ll see first

On the main search screen you’ll pick a Search Type and enter one or more terms. An Advanced button exposes extra filters. If you’re hunting for sales or prefer a visual approach, the header includes dedicated Sales Search and Map Search links you can switch to at any time.

Search type choices include:
Account Number
Property Address
Doing Business As (DBA)
Property ID / Parcel # / Geo ID
Township/Range/Section (legal)

Advanced filters let you refine by Abstract, Subdivision, Mobile Home Park, Condo, Township, Range, and Section.

Results Display controls which Appraisal Year for Tax Year the results reflect. This is crucial for ownership and value context.

Pick the right search type and enter smart queries

Choosing the best search type saves time and reduces noise. Here’s how to get the most from each option on the county’s platform.

Account Number

If you already have an internal account identifier from prior correspondence or notices, this is the fastest route. Enter the number exactly as it appears. The search will return the matching property or the nearest position in the ordered account list.

Property Address

Address search supports both a Street Number and a Street Name field:

Enter the street number (for example, “1234”) in its own box.

Enter the street name (for example, “Main”) in the Street Name field. Partial names are allowed; the system returns any parcels containing your entry in their street name.

A City selector is also available. Pick the recognized city label used in county records to narrow results to that jurisdiction.

Doing Business As (DBA)

For commercial parcels, the DBA field is ideal. Enter the business’s public operating name (for example, “Pizza Planet”). If you’re not sure of the exact spelling, begin with the core, distinctive word(s). The system returns parcels where the DBA matches or contains your terms.

Property ID / Parcel # / Geo ID

When you’re focused on a specific parcel:

Use Parcel # / Geo ID to search by the 16-digit parcel number (also called Geo Parcel Number).

If the parcel number ends with zeros, you only need to enter digits through the last non-zero; the search will return parcels starting from that number.

The search returns a limited, ordered list; use paging controls to move through neighboring parcels.

Legal location (Township/Range/Section)

When you’re searching by legal description rather than an address or name:

Enter the Township/Range/Section (Twn/Rng/Sec)—the first six digits of any parcel number—using two digits each for township, range, and section.

Optionally refine with Qtr and QtrQtr dropdowns to isolate a quarter section or a quarter-quarter (one-sixteenth of the section).

This is especially useful for large tracts, rural areas, or research by survey location.

Decode Benton County parcel numbers and legal descriptions

Understanding how parcel numbers are structured makes the legal search options far more powerful.

The 16-digit 6-6-4 format

Benton County parcel numbers follow a 16-digit schema in 6-6-4 segments:

First 6 digits (T/R/S): Two digits each for Township, Range, and Section. This sequence encodes the parcel’s location in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS).

Next 6 digits (X-Y map coordinates): Three digits each corresponding to internal map grid coordinates county staff use to pinpoint the parcel on the base map.

Final 4 characters: A parcel-specific suffix used only if the parcel requires further distinction (for example, a condominium unit or a split of a parent parcel). Many standard parcels have zeros here.

Because of that structure, if you don’t know the full parcel but you do know the T/R/S, you can:

Enter those six digits in the Twn/Rng/Sec field to retrieve all parcels in that section, or

Place the same six digits into the Parcel # field and press parcel search to jump to the first parcel in that section’s sequence.

Quarter and quarter-quarter sections

To narrow a legal search:

Use Qtr to divide the section into four quarters (NE, NW, SE, SW).

Then use QtrQtr to divide the chosen quarter into four quarter-quarters. This zooms you down to one-sixteenth of the section, which is often the level of detail needed for rural properties, agricultural tracts, or subdivided land.

Zero in by Township–Range–Section with confidence

Here’s a practical approach when working with legal descriptions:

Start broad: Enter Twn/Rng/Sec to list all parcels in that section.

Refine spatially: Use Qtr; if still too many, add QtrQtr.

Scan logically: Sort by Parcel # / Geo ID to scan in map order, or sort by Owner Name if the research is owner-centric.

Flip the year: If you’re validating ownership, set Results Display to the current Appraisal Year for Tax Year as detailed later in this guide.

This technique is especially effective when physical addresses are sparse, unknown, or recently changed.

Pinpoint address-based results—from street number to city

Address input on the county system is intentionally simple so you can start broad and refine:

Street Number is numeric only. If unknown, leave it blank and begin with the Street Name.

Street Name accepts partial text. Enter the distinctive portion (for example, “Columbia” rather than “West Columbia Drive”) to catch variants.

City helps isolate results within Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Prosser, or rural county areas recorded under specific jurisdiction labels.

Use the Results Per Page control to show 25, 50, 75, 100, or 250 results at once when returns are lengthy.

Track commercial listings via Doing Business As (DBA)

The DBA field surfaces parcels indexed to a business name—useful for retail centers, industrial campuses, hospitality, and professional offices. Tips for cleaner results:

Start with the unique noun (e.g., “Planet,” “Foundry,” “Vineyard”) rather than common words (“The,” “Company,” “LLC”).

If your first pass returns too many parcels, add a City selection or switch to the Address tab to confirm location details.

For multi-tenant properties, pair the DBA search with a Subdivision filter or a Street Name to isolate the right site.

Use advanced criteria: abstracts, subdivisions, mobile home parks, and condos

Benton County’s property database exposes expert-level filters that mirror how land is platted and recorded.

Abstracts and subdivisions

Abstract is a legacy field tied to historical recording practices and may help in specialized research.

Subdivision is where the database shines: the county indexes thousands of plats, phases, and alterations. If you know the plat name (for example, a specific Heights, Estates, Ridge, or Park phase), selecting it will immediately narrow the result set to lots within that platted area.

When a subdivision has multiple phases or altered plats, choose the exact phase if known; otherwise, select the root subdivision name and then use sort and paging to browse.

Mobile Home Parks

The Mobile Home Park dropdown lists recognized parks (for example, Green Acres, Riverview MH Park, Santiago Sunset Estates) and related inventory placeholders. Selecting a park returns spaces or parcels associated to that park within county records—useful for verification, valuation questions, or space-specific issues.

Condominiums

The Condo selector includes named condominium properties (for example, ONE 39TH CONDO, VISTA PROFESSIONAL CENTER CONDOMINIUM AMENDMENT). Selecting the condo name typically returns individual units or legally distinct components (such as professional center units or garage condo units) recorded under that condominium.

Control the display year to see current ownership (and why it matters)

Near the top of the results panel, Results Display lets you choose the Appraisal Year for Tax Year:

Options include 2025-2026, 2024-2025, 2023-2024, and earlier.

The system notes that 2025-2026 may show “Values not available” while rolls are being finalized. That’s normal—ownership display is the key reason to choose the current year.

Action to view current ownership: As instructed on the site, set Results Display to 2025-2026 to view the current ownership for the parcel you’re researching. If you must compare year-to-year values, switch between display years and note differences, remembering the county’s disclaimer that prior year data is informational only.

Sorting and paging options

Use the Order Results by dropdown to sort by Owner Name, Address, Parcel # / Geo ID, DBA Name, or Sale Date. Set Results Per Page to up to 250 when scanning large plats or when you prefer to scroll rather than click through pages.

Review recent sales with the Sales Search tool

When your research is sale-driven—date ranges, prices, neighborhoods, or subdivision activity—move to the sales interface directly from the property search header. The Sales tab lets you focus on Sale Date, Sale Price, Year Built, Total Area, Neighborhood, Subdivision, and PLSS descriptors like Township and Section.
Open the dedicated tab via the portal header: switch to the Sales Search view.

For an alternative county-supported presentation with interactive filtering and a modern card layout, you can also use the Benton County Property Portal operated for the Assessor, which emphasizes quick filtering and visual browsing: use the Benton County Property Portal.

Navigate the county map to visualize parcels and context

Some research is easiest on a map. The property application offers a map tab, and the county also publishes a GIS map viewer.

To stay within the parcel application, open the Map Search tab from the header to locate parcels spatially, click to open details, and then drill down to ownership and assessment.
Use the map tab here: open the in-app Map Search.

For broader layers and countywide GIS content, the Benton County team publishes an ArcGIS map viewer with parcel mapping. It’s helpful for context such as nearby features and jurisdiction boundaries.
Explore the GIS viewer: open the county mapping website.

Confirm assessed values and understand tax billing roles

Two county offices work together to produce and bill property taxes:

The Assessor is responsible for property valuation and for maintaining the assessment roll and parcel records. The Assessor’s pages provide program information, valuation timelines, and contact avenues for assessment questions.
Learn more here: visit the Assessor website.

The Treasurer is responsible for billing and collecting property taxes. The Treasurer’s site provides payment details, due dates, and tax statement information.
For payment and billing guidance: go to the Treasurer website.

When you’re researching a parcel, it’s common to confirm assessed value on the property search, then pivot to the Treasurer for tax bills and payment status. If you’re reviewing mid-year changes, remember that values, ownership, and billing cutoffs follow state and county calendars—use the Results Display year selector to align your search with the relevant tax year.

Honor the county’s data disclaimer and update notes

County property information is provided for public use with important caveats:

Public domain; no warranty. All information is distributed without warranty of any kind (implied, expressed, or statutory). The Assessor and Treasurer expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions.

Work in progress periods. The system flags specific time ranges as “work in progress.” For example, certain earlier years are identified as such in the interface. Treat those records as provisional.

Prior-year data is informational. Older years do not necessarily replicate values certified to the tax office.

Update timestamp and version. The property application shows a database last updated timestamp on its footer and lists a website version number so you know the recency of data displayed during your session.

These on-screen notices exist so you can judge whether the snapshot you’re viewing reflects current ownership and the most recent roll. When in doubt, set Results Display to the latest Appraisal Year for Tax Year and, if needed, contact the appropriate office listed at the end of this guide.

Step-by-step property search examples that mirror real tasks

The fastest learning curve comes from working a few typical scenarios. Use these mini-walkthroughs as templates.

Example A: Find a known parcel by number (with trailing zeros)

Open the main portal: use the Benton County Property Search.
Choose Parcel # / Geo ID as your Search Type.
Type the parcel number up to the last non-zero digit (you can omit trailing zeros).
Click parcel search. The system lists parcels starting at the number you entered.
Use paging to move to the exact parcel if your entry lands near it.
Set Results Display to 2025-2026 to see current ownership.

Why this works: Parcel numbers sort in a defined sequence. Entering to the last non-zero digit jumps you close to the target even if you didn’t type every trailing zero.

Example B: List every parcel in a specific PLSS section

On the portal, select the Legal search mode (Twn/Rng/Sec).

Enter two digits each for Township, Range, and Section (for example, 11 25 21).

Click legal search to view all parcels in that section.

If there are many results, choose a Qtr (for example, NE) and if needed a QtrQtr (for example, NE of NE) to narrow to one-sixteenth of the section.

Sort by Parcel # / Geo ID to scan systematically in map order.

Why this works: The first six digits of every parcel number are exactly the T/R/S you entered, so the list essentially becomes a spatial index for that section.

Example C: Look up a property by address when you’re not sure of the format

In Property Address, enter the Street Name only (for example, “Badger”).

Optionally select a City to constrain results (for example, Kennewick).

Review the hits, then add the Street Number once you recognize the correct street segment.

Use Results Per Page to expand the list if necessary (50–250 can be helpful for long streets).

Why this works: Street names often have directionals or variants. Starting with the core street word maximizes your chances of matching the county’s naming convention.

Example D: Research a commercial site using a business name

Select Doing Business As (DBA) as your search type.

Enter the distinctive portion of the business name (for example, “Hills Market” → enter “Hills”).

Use the City selector to narrow if you know the jurisdiction.

Open the parcel detail and then, if relevant, switch to Sales Search for sale history or to Map Search to visualize the center and its surrounding parcels.

Why this works: The DBA field maps to the business name rather than the owner’s legal name—useful when the property is held by a separate entity.

Example E: Check subdivision-wide activity

Click Advanced and open the Subdivision dropdown.

Choose the subdivision/phase that matches your research (for example, a specific Ridge, Estates, or Park phase).

Sort by Sale Date to see recent transactions.

If you need an interactive, card-style view to skim quickly across many parcels, open the Property Portal for alternate filtering and browsing: use the Benton County Property Portal.

Why this works: Subdivision indexing is precise. Selecting it filters out everything beyond that plat boundary.

Example F: Locate parcels within a mobile home park

In Advanced, choose the Mobile Home Park name from the dropdown (for example, Green Acres or Riverview MH Park).

Review the returned parcel or space records.

Use sort by Owner Name or Address to make the list easier to scan.

Why this works: The county maintains a structured list of recognized parks, enabling quick isolation of related records.

Use the map to resolve location uncertainty—and confirm you’ve got the right parcel

When street names change, when lots are newly platted, or when you’re working with rural directions (“a half mile south of…”), a map view is the best reality check.

From the property application, open the Map Search tab to click on parcels and pop open their records: open the in-app Map Search.

For countywide context or to overlay additional map layers, the mapping website provides a GIS viewer that can complement your record search: open the county mapping website.

Tip: After verifying the parcel visually, copy or note the Parcel # / Geo ID so you can return to the Property tab and pull the full assessment and ownership details.

Practical filters that speed up research

A few interface options consistently make research more efficient:

Results Per Page: Set to 100–250 when scanning long lists (subdivisions, sections) so you can scroll rather than click through pages.

Order Results by: Sorting by Sale Date is powerful when you’re surveying neighborhood turnover; Owner Name is best when verifying a multi-parcel owner across a subdivision or section.

DBA + City combo: For retail corridors with repeating brand names across the Tri-Cities, pairing DBA with City quickly narrows to the location you want.

Subdivision precision: Subdivisions often appear with phase numbers (for example, Phase 4A, Phase 7B). Choose the narrowest, correct phase to avoid mixing dissimilar lots.

Where to go next for value and tax details

Once you’ve identified your parcel in the property application:

Use the Assessor site for valuation, exemptions, and roll questions: visit the Assessor website.

Use the Treasurer site for statements, due dates, and payment methods: go to the Treasurer website.

If a map will help clarify boundaries or adjacent features before you contact either office, validate the parcel visually with the county’s GIS viewer: open the county mapping website.

County system notes you should keep in mind

To interpret what you see correctly, watch the system’s own notices in the footer and results panel:

Appraisal Year for Tax Year: The current year may temporarily show “Values not available” while roll work is underway; ownership display remains the reason to pick the current year.

Database recency: The application shows a “database last updated” timestamp so you know when the nightly refresh last completed.

Versioning: A website version indicator appears for transparency into the running build.

Disclaimers: The Assessor and Treasurer state that information is provided in the public domain and without warranty, and that certain years are a work in progress while updates are being verified. Prior-year values are informational only and may not match the certified tax roll.

These notes are there to help you interpret results accurately, especially when you’re comparing across years or cross-checking against billing.

If you hit a dead end, change tactics—not tools

When a search returns nothing or too much:

Switch the search type. Try Parcel # / Geo ID if you have any numeric clue; revert to Property Address with a partial street name if the parcel number is unknown.

Use legal filters. When streets are new or renamed, Twn/Rng/Sec with Qtr/QtrQtr is a reliable spatial fallback.

Lean on subdivisions. Platted areas are consistently indexed; picking the correct phase is often the key to accurate results.

Set the display year. If ownership looks wrong, select the current Appraisal Year for Tax Year so you’re not viewing a historical snapshot.

Check the map. Visual confirmation via Map Search or the mapping website often resolves naming and boundary confusion in seconds.

Property Search departments and offices (addresses and phone numbers)

Benton County Assessor’s Office — Prosser — 620 Market Street, Prosser, WA 99350 — (509) 786-2046

Benton County Assessor’s Office — Kennewick — 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building E, Kennewick, WA 99336 — (509) 735-2394

Benton County Treasurer’s Office — Prosser — 620 Market Street, PO Box 630, Prosser, WA 99350 — (509) 786-2255

Benton County Treasurer’s Office — Kennewick — 7122 W Okanogan Pl #E110, Kennewick, WA 99336 — (509) 735-8505

Benton County Property Search FAQs

Where do I start my official search online?

Begin with the county’s authoritative application, which consolidates parcel lookups, recent sales, and a built-in map. From the landing page you can open the Property, Sales, or Map tabs without leaving the site. Use this link to access the portal: Benton County Property Search.

Which inputs does the county system accept, and how exact must they be?

The system supports Account Number, Property Address, Doing Business As (DBA), Parcel/Geo ID, and legal Township-Range-Section. Street Name accepts partial text, and City filtering aligns with county record labels. Parcel/Geo IDs follow a 16-digit 6-6-4 scheme; you can omit trailing zeros and still reach the correct position in sequence.

How do I show current ownership instead of older snapshots?

Use the Results Display control at the top of results and select 2025–2026 to view current ownership. During roll work, values may temporarily be unavailable while ownership remains current. The interface also shows a database “last updated” notice and website version to indicate data freshness and system build information.

Can I search by Township-Range-Section and narrow further?

Yes. Enter the first six digits of the parcel’s PLSS location (two each for township, range, section). To focus your results spatially, add Qtr and QtrQtr to target a quarter section or one-sixteenth of a section. This method is especially effective for rural tracts, survey-based research, and areas without consistent addressing.

What official map options help confirm I’ve got the right parcel?

You can switch to the in-app Map tab to click parcels and open detail pages directly. For broader GIS layers and countywide context, use the county’s ArcGIS viewer: Mapping Website.

Where do I go for assessed values, exemptions, and tax billing after I find a parcel?

Valuation programs, assessment timelines, and roll information are maintained by the Assessor at the Assessor Website. For tax statements, due dates, and payment status, consult the Treasurer’s official portal: Treasurer Website. The county notes that information is public domain and provided without warranty; certain prior years are marked “work in progress.”