Gis: Frequently Asked Questions

There are two major universities within close proximity that offer excellent courses on GIS. They are the University of North Texas in Denton and the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson.​​​​

Government is not the only group who uses GIS. Environmentalists use GIS for various studies like tracking animals, habitats and water data, to name a few. Trucking companies use GIS to route their paths to destinations as well as tracking their trucks using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Anybody who can benefit from an informative map or spatial analysis can benefit from GIS.​

Currently several county departments utilize the benefits of GIS. The Elections office uses GIS to create and analyze maps. The Fire Marshal uses GIS for emergency preparedness. The Sheriff's office has the ability to analyze crime with GIS. Public Works uses it for right-of-way information.​

GIS stands for Geographic Information System. This type of system maintains location information for all types of features. For example, it can represent a road with a line, sort of like a paper map; however, since it is digital, this line can be attached to an endless amount of information such as the name of the road and address range. The background or "paper" the line is drawn on is attached to a geographic coordinate system. With this system the line inherently locates itself accurately on the earth's surface.​

Seconds count when emergency responders are trying to locate an address. Please follow the guidelines of the "Address Display Brochure (pdf)" to make sure your 9-1-1 address is displayed properly.​

A 9-1-1 address is assigned when a structure is being built on or moved to a previously vacant site. The "9-1-1 Rural Address Application" is part of the Permit Application package – all submitted together to Collin County Development Services. Please visit the Permits links on the Development Services website or call them at (972) 548-5585.
If you need to find out the 9-1-1 address of an existing structure, call our office at (972) 548-4192; however, if it is in relation to a permit, please contact Development Services directly at (972) 548-5585.

Many types of structures require a 9-1-1 address, including some types of barns, shops, buildings and garages; businesses; all houses and/or mobile homes; as well as water and cell towers. When you apply for your building permit, one of the forms you must fill out is a "9-1-1 Rural Address Application". Permit packages are available through Development Services. Please visit the Development Services website or call them at (972) 548-5585.

When a dispatcher receives a 9-1-1 call, they need to be able to locate the caller. The dispatcher guides emergency responders to the location. In the case of "land" phones, a 9-1-1 address should be tied to it so that the dispatcher can see it automatically. This is especially important if the caller is unable to speak or unaware of the 9-1-1 address.

A 9-1-1 address is the "physical" address of your structure. When you dial 9-1-1 from a "land" phone in an emergency, this is the location information that is available to a dispatcher.