Query a feature layer (spatial)

Learn how to execute a spatial query to access polygon features from a feature service.

A feature layer can contain a large number of features stored in ArcGIS. To access a subset of these features, you can execute an SQL or spatial query, either together or individually. The results can contain the attributes, geometry, or both for each record. SQL and spatial queries are useful when a feature layer is very large and you want to access only a subset of its data.

In this tutorial, you sketch a feature on the map and use ArcGIS REST JS to perform a spatial query against the LA County Parcels hosted feature layer. The layer contains ±2.4 million features. The spatial query returns all of the parcels that intersect the sketched feature. A pop-up is also used to display feature attributes.

Prerequisites

Steps

Create a new pen

1. To get started, you can complete the Display a map tutorial or use the Display a map tutorial solution (CodePen).

Get an access token

You need an access token with the correct privileges to access the resources used in this tutorial.

1. Go to the Create an API key tutorial and create an API key with the following privilege(s):
   

   • Privileges
     • Location services > Basemaps
   • Item access
     • Note: If you are using your own custom data layer for this tutorial, you need to grant the API key credentials access to the layer item. Learn more in Item access privileges.

2. Copy the API key access token to your clipboard when prompted.

3. In CodePen, update the accessToken variable to use your access token.

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         const map = L.map("map", {
           minZoom: 2
         })
   
         map.setView([34.02, -118.805], 13);
   
         const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   
         const basemapEnum = "arcgis/streets";
   
         L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
           token: accessToken
         }).addTo(map);
   

4. Run the code to ensure the basemap is displayed in the map.

To learn about the other types of authentication available, go to Types of authentication.

Add script references

In addition to Leaflet and Esri Leaflet, reference the Leaflet Geoman plugin. The plugin allows you to create point, line, and polygon graphics on the map.

1. Add <script> and <link> tags to reference the libraries.

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       <!-- Load Leaflet from CDN -->
       <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.css" crossorigin="" />
       <script src="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.js" crossorigin=""></script>
   
       <!-- Load Esri Leaflet from CDN -->
       <script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet@3.0.12/dist/esri-leaflet.js"></script>
       <script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet-vector@4.2.5/dist/esri-leaflet-vector.js"></script>
   
       <!-- Load Leaflet Geoman from CDN -->
       <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/@geoman-io/leaflet-geoman-free@latest/dist/leaflet-geoman.css" />
       <script src="https://unpkg.com/@geoman-io/leaflet-geoman-free@latest/dist/leaflet-geoman.min.js"></script>
   

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Add the parcels layer

Use the FeatureLayer class to perform a query against the LA County Parcels feature layer. Since you are performing a server-side query, you can hide the features.

1. Create a FeatureLayer object with the LA County Parcels hosted feature layer as its source.

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         L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
           token: accessToken
         }).addTo(map);
   
         var parcels = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/LA_County_Parcels/FeatureServer/0",
             simplifyFactor: 0.5,
             precision: 4,
   
         })
         .addTo(map);
   

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2. Hide all features in the layer using a layer definition.

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         var parcels = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/LA_County_Parcels/FeatureServer/0",
             simplifyFactor: 0.5,
             precision: 4,
   
             where: "1 = 0" // Hide the feature layer until queried
   
         })
         .addTo(map);
   

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Set up the Geoman toolbar

You can use the Leaflet Geoman toolbar to create point, line, and polygon geometries via a user interface.

1. Add map.pm.addControls to create the Geoman toolbar. Hide all buttons except for drawMarker, drawPolyline, and drawPolygon.

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         var parcels = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/LA_County_Parcels/FeatureServer/0",
             simplifyFactor: 0.5,
             precision: 4,
   
             where: "1 = 0" // Hide the feature layer until queried
   
         })
         .addTo(map);
   
         map.pm.addControls({
           position:'topleft',
           // Customize the visible tools
           editControls:false,
           drawRectangle:false,
           drawCircle:false,
           drawCircleMarker:false,
           drawText:false
         });
   
   

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2. Set map.pm.setGlobalOptions to define the style properties for the drawn geometries.

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         map.pm.addControls({
           position:'topleft',
           // Customize the visible tools
           editControls:false,
           drawRectangle:false,
           drawCircle:false,
           drawCircleMarker:false,
           drawText:false
         });
   
         map.pm.setGlobalOptions({
           pathOptions: {
             weight: 2,
             color: "#4d4d4d",
             fillColor: "#808080",
             fillOpacity: 0.2,
             dashArray:[4, 4]}
         });
   

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3. Click Run at the top right to test your code. You should be able to sketch a point, line, or polygon.

Get the drawn feature

Leaflet Geoman emits a pm:create event when you have finished sketching a feature. You can listen to this event to respond to the newly created feature.

1. Add an event handler for the pm:create event. Format its output to access the new layer object.

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         map.pm.setGlobalOptions({
           pathOptions: {
             weight: 2,
             color: "#4d4d4d",
             fillColor: "#808080",
             fillOpacity: 0.2,
             dashArray:[4, 4]}
         });
   
         map.on("pm:create", ({shape,layer}) => {
   
         });
   

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2. Remove the previousLayer with the remove method. Set previousLayer to the newly drawn layer.

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         var previousLayer;
   
         map.on("pm:create", ({shape,layer}) => {
   
           if (previousLayer) {
             previousLayer.remove();
           }
           previousLayer = layer;
   
         });
   

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Run the query

Use the FeatureLayer.query method to find features in the LA County Parcels feature layer that intersect the sketched geometry.

1. Convert the sketched feature into GeoJSON to access its geometry. Create a query on the parcels layer that returns all parcels intersecting the sketched geometry.

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         var previousLayer;
   
         map.on("pm:create", ({shape,layer}) => {
   
           if (previousLayer) {
             previousLayer.remove();
           }
           previousLayer = layer;
   
           var feature = layer.toGeoJSON();
           parcels
             .query()
             .intersects(feature.geometry)
             .limit(2000)
   
         });
   

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2. Return the feature ids. Display the results with the setWhere method.

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           var feature = layer.toGeoJSON();
           parcels
             .query()
             .intersects(feature.geometry)
             .limit(2000)
   
             .ids(function (error, queryResult) {
               parcels.setWhere("OBJECTID IN (" + queryResult.join(",") + ")");
             });
   

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3. Create a pop-up using bindPopup. Set its contents dynamically based on the currently clicked feature.

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           var feature = layer.toGeoJSON();
           parcels
             .query()
             .intersects(feature.geometry)
             .limit(2000)
   
             .ids(function (error, queryResult) {
               parcels.setWhere("OBJECTID IN (" + queryResult.join(",") + ")");
             });
   
         });
   
         parcels.bindPopup(function (layer) {
           return L.Util.template("<b>Parcel {APN}</b>" + "Type: {UseType} <br>" + "Tax Rate City: {TaxRateCity}", layer.feature.properties);
         });
   

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Run the app

In CodePen, run your code to display the map.

When you click on the map to draw a polygon, a spatial query will run against the feature layer and display all land parcels that intersect the boundary of the feature. You can click on a parcel to see a pop-up with information about the parcel.

What's next?

Learn how to use additional ArcGIS location services in these tutorials: