The Commission maintains an inventory of black-and-white aerial photographs of the Southeastern Wisconsin Region first obtained in 1963, and thereafter collected in 1967, 1970, and at five-year intervals ending in 2000. The most recent complete aerial photo inventory was acquired in the spring of 2015. In 2007, a partial inventory of color aerial photography covering slightly less than one-half of the Region was acquired. Since 2005, all aerial photography has been obtained as color imagery. Beginning in 1995, all inventories have been collected as orthophotography, which is aerial photography that is enhanced by the removal of horizontal displacement caused by ground relief. Orthophotos are image products that can be used as true maps.
The extent of aerial photographic and orthophotographic coverage available from the Commission is shown on the aerial photo coverage map below.
Aerial Photographic Prints
Aerial photographic prints from years 1963, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, and 1990 are available at a scale of 1″=400′, are printed on 11″ x 17″ size paper, and will show the area of interest as described by the requestor.
Aerial Orthophoto Prints
Aerial Orthophoto prints from years 1995 and 2000 are available at 1"=400' while orthophoto prints from years 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 are available at 1"=400', 1"-200', and 1"=100'.
Aerial photo prints can be delivered by mail or can be picked up at our offices. Prices for prints can be found in the aerial photography and map price list. To place an order for aerial photography hardcopy materials, or for more information, please call the Commission at (262) 547-6721 and tell the receptionist that you would like to order aerial photo prints.
In addition, aerial photo prints for many counties are available on County Land Information System (LIS) websites. Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha Counties have converted older hardcopy aerial photos to digital format and have made the imagery available for viewing and printing on their LIS websites. Follow the instructions on each website to download printable maps and images in PDF format:
County Interactive Mapping Websites
Digital Orthophotography Files
Aerial orthophotos for 1995, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 are available in digital format from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Please see the Aerial Orthophotography page of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Land Information website for information about obtaining digital orthophotography.
Hardcopy enlargements of the digital orthophoto files can be generated by the Commission at a range of scales. The level of detail on custom hardcopy enlargements is dependent on the year of photography and the location of the area of interest.
Aerial Photographic and Orthophotographic Coverage of the Region
