Add a vector tile layer

Learn how to add a vector tile layer to a map.

A vector tile layer is a hosted data layer in ArcGIS. The data is vector tile data. You can create a vector tile layer by publishing your data with data management tools. To display vector tiles in MapLibre GL JS, you create a source to retrieve the tiles, and a layer to display them.

In this tutorial, you display a parcels layer from a public vector tile service, using the default styling.

Prerequisites

Steps

Review the source data

This tutorial uses the Santa Monica Mountains Parcels vector tile service. Go to the item page of the vector tile service in ArcGIS.com to find important styling information.

1. Go to the item page for the Santa Monica Mountains Parcels vector tile layer.

2. Click View style from the item details page.

3. Find the source-layer property in the JSON file and copy the exact value. You will use this to style vector tiles in your MapLibre GL JS application.

Create a new pen

1. To get started, either complete the Display a map tutorial or use this pen.

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 accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   const basemapEnum = "arcgis/streets";
   const map = new maplibregl.Map({
     container: "map", // the id of the div element
     style: `https://basemapstyles-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/styles/v2/styles/${basemapEnum}?token=${accessToken}`,
     zoom: 12, // starting zoom
     center: [-118.805, 34.027] // starting location [longitude, latitude]
   });
   

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

Add a load event handler

You need to wait for the map to be completely loaded before adding any layers

1. Add an event handler to the map load event.

   More info

   For more information about the load event, see the MapLibre GL JS documentation.

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     <script>
       const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
       const basemapEnum = "arcgis/streets";
       const map = new maplibregl.Map({
         container: "map", // the id of the div element
         style: `https://basemapstyles-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/styles/v2/styles/${basemapEnum}?token=${accessToken}`,
         zoom: 12, // starting zoom
         center: [-118.805, 34.027] // starting location [longitude, latitude]
       });
   
       map.once("load", () => {
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
   
       });
   
     </script>
   

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Add a vector tile source

You use a source of type vector to add the vector tiles. The source tells MapLibre GL JS how to access the data for the layer, but does not visually add it to the map.

1. Inside the load event handler, add a vector tile source with id parcels.

   More info

   While there are several types of source, the two most common are vector (for vector tiles) and geojson (for a set of features represented as GeoJSON).

   For more information, see the MapLibre Style Specification

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       map.once("load", () => {
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
   
         map.addSource("parcels", {
           type: "vector",
           tiles: [
             "https://vectortileservices3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_VTL/VectorTileServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.pbf"
           ]
         });
   
       });
   

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Add a fill layer

A layer in MapLibre GL JS is a visual representation of the data within one source. Use a layer of type fill to display the parcels.

1. Use addLayer to add a fill layer with id parcels-fill. Set source to parcels to reference the source you just created.

   More info

   The type property defines how it will be displayed. Commonly used layer types include circle, line, fill and symbol (used for text and icons).

   The id property is an identifier you choose. You will need it if you want to manipulate the layer, such as hiding it or changing its properties dynamically.

   The source property references the id property of the source you just created.

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       map.once("load", () => {
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
   
         map.addSource("parcels", {
           type: "vector",
           tiles: [
             "https://vectortileservices3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_VTL/VectorTileServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.pbf"
           ]
         });
   
         map.addLayer({
           id: "parcels-fill",
           type: "fill",
           source: "parcels",
   
       });
   

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2. Add a source-layer attribute and paste the Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels value that you copied from the layer's item page.

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       map.once("load", () => {
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
   
         map.addSource("parcels", {
           type: "vector",
           tiles: [
             "https://vectortileservices3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_VTL/VectorTileServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.pbf"
           ]
         });
   
         map.addLayer({
           id: "parcels-fill",
           type: "fill",
           source: "parcels",
   
           "source-layer": "Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels",
   
       });
   

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3. Add paint properties to color the parcels light blue.

   More info

   The source-layer property tells MapLibre GL JS which layer within the vector tiles to display. If you enter the source-layer property incorrectly, nothing will display.

   The paint properties control the visual attributes of the layer and are specific to the type of layer.

   For more information, see the MapLibre Style Specification.

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       map.once("load", () => {
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
   
         map.addSource("parcels", {
           type: "vector",
           tiles: [
             "https://vectortileservices3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_VTL/VectorTileServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.pbf"
           ]
         });
   
         map.addLayer({
           id: "parcels-fill",
           type: "fill",
           source: "parcels",
   
           "source-layer": "Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels",
   
           paint: {
             "fill-color": "hsl(200, 80%, 50%)",
             "fill-opacity": 0.5,
             "fill-outline-color": "white"
           }
         });
   
       });
   

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Run the app

In CodePen, run your code to display the map.

You should see the vector tile layer with parcels displayed on the basemap layer.

What's next?

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