Can you find roof pitch by address?
Short answer. You can often estimate roof pitch by address using aerial measurement reports, which use high-resolution overhead and angled imagery, or 3D map views that let you eyeball the slope. Public property records rarely list pitch, so for an exact number you need the original plans or someone measuring the roof itself.
Options that work from an address
- Aerial measurement reports: roofers commonly order these. They use high-resolution oblique imagery to calculate each facet's area and pitch, and are usually quite accurate on clear, unobstructed roofs.
- 3D map views: some free mapping tools show buildings in 3D. You can compare the roof's angle to a pitch chart, but expect only a rough estimate.
- Shadow and photo methods: street-level photos of a gable end, taken straight on, let you measure the triangle's height and half-width in the image and calculate rise over run.
- Building permits and plans: your city or county building department may have plans on file for newer homes, and builders sometimes publish elevation drawings for their floor plans.
- Property records: county assessor sites list square footage, year built, and sometimes roof material or style, but rarely the pitch.
Why remote estimates go wrong
- Trees: North Georgia's tall pines and hardwoods hide roof edges and entire sections from overhead imagery.
- Old imagery: photos may predate an addition or a reroof.
- Complex roofs: multiple pitches, dormers, and small facets get averaged or missed.
When you need precision
For ordering materials or checking an insurance estimate, verify on site with a level from the attic or a ladder, or have the roof measured during an inspection. See how roofers measure a roof and what to expect from a roof inspection.