At the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office, the protection and confidentiality of your personal information is of utmost importance to us. This Privacy Policy clearly explains the types of data we collect when you use our website and services, how that information is utilized, and the measures we take to safeguard it against unauthorized access or misuse.
We are dedicated to maintaining transparency in our data handling practices and ensuring that your privacy rights are fully respected in accordance with all relevant federal and state privacy laws and regulations. Our goal is to provide you with a secure and trustworthy experience while accessing property-related information and services.
Information We Collect
When you engage with the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office website or utilize our services, we gather certain types of information to ensure we can deliver accurate, personalized, and efficient assistance. The data collected falls into three main categories:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
This category includes any information that can directly or indirectly identify you as an individual. Examples of PII we collect are your full name, physical mailing address, phone number, email address, and any other personal details you voluntarily provide when you fill out online forms, submit exemption applications, request property records, or contact our office. This information is essential for processing your requests, verifying eligibility for exemptions, maintaining accurate property records, and facilitating communication between you and our office.
Property-Related Data
We collect detailed information related to the properties within Brevard County. This includes data such as ownership records, legal descriptions, assessed property values, exemption statuses, tax information, parcel boundaries, and sales history. This information is either provided by property owners during interactions or compiled from official records and assessments. It enables us to maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date database that supports property valuation, taxation, and public transparency.
Technical and Usage Information:
To optimize your experience on our website and improve overall functionality, we collect certain technical data automatically. This includes your device’s IP address, browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution, and other device-specific identifiers. Additionally, we track how users interact with our site—pages visited, time spent on pages, navigation paths, and click patterns—using cookies and other web analytics technologies. This information helps us monitor site performance, diagnose technical issues, enhance security, and tailor the website experience to better serve users’ needs.
All information collected is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with applicable state and federal privacy laws. We take your privacy seriously and use the data solely to provide and improve our public services while safeguarding your personal and property information.
How We Use Your Information
The information we collect from you is used responsibly and exclusively to support the core functions of the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office. Specifically, your data helps us:
Deliver Accurate Property Appraisal and Assessment Services:
We utilize property-related information and personal details to determine fair and precise valuations of real estate and tangible personal property within Brevard County. This ensures that property assessments reflect current market conditions and comply with applicable laws.
Process Exemption and Tax-Related Applications:
Your personal and property information is essential to review, verify, and administer eligibility for property tax exemptions such as the Homestead Exemption, Senior Citizen Exemption, and other savings programs. This enables timely and accurate processing of your applications and adjustments to your tax bill.
Enhance Website Functionality and User Experience:
Technical and usage data collected through cookies and analytics allow us to identify areas where our website can be improved. We analyze how users navigate the site to optimize performance, fix bugs, streamline access to tools, and ensure a smooth and user-friendly online experience.
Communicate with You Efficiently:
We use your contact information to respond to inquiries, provide updates on your submissions or applications, and offer customer support. Whether through email, phone, or online forms, this communication helps address your needs and keeps you informed throughout your interactions with our office.
Ensure Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements:
Some information is necessary for us to fulfill statutory duties and regulatory obligations mandated by Florida law. This includes maintaining public records, reporting to government agencies, and upholding transparency and accountability in property tax administration.
Your information is never used for purposes beyond these stated functions without your explicit consent. We maintain strict policies to protect your data’s confidentiality and integrity while providing essential public services.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to safeguarding your personal information and maintaining your trust. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data under any circumstances. However, to fulfill our responsibilities and provide essential services, your information may be shared in limited and controlled situations, including:
Government Entities:
Your data may be shared with other government agencies and local taxing authorities for purposes related to property tax assessment, billing, collection, or to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This collaboration is necessary to accurately administer property taxes and maintain public records.
Authorized Service Providers:
We may disclose your information to trusted third-party vendors or contractors who provide technical support, website hosting, data processing, or other operational services. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and are only permitted to use your information to perform services on our behalf. They do not have independent rights to use or disclose your data.
Law Enforcement and Legal Authorities:
Your information may be disclosed to law enforcement agencies, courts, or other legal entities when required by law, such as in response to subpoenas, court orders, or investigations involving suspected illegal activity or threats to public safety.
We maintain rigorous safeguards and oversight to ensure that any data sharing aligns with legal requirements and privacy protections, limiting access strictly to authorized personnel and purposes. Our goal is to protect your personal information while delivering transparent and accountable public services.
Your Privacy Rights
As a resident of Florida and a user of the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s services, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under state law and applicable privacy regulations. These rights are designed to give you greater control over how your data is handled and to ensure transparency in our operations. Your rights include:
Right to Access:
You have the right to request and obtain a copy of the personal information we maintain about you. This includes details collected through exemption filings, property ownership records, and any other data we hold in our systems.
Right to Correction:
If you believe any of your personal data is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you may request that we correct or update this information to ensure it remains accurate and reliable.
Right to Opt-Out of Certain Communications:
You can choose to opt-out of receiving certain types of communications from our office, such as marketing or informational emails, while still receiving essential notifications related to your property assessments or tax obligations.
Right to Request Redaction:
Under Florida law, certain individuals, such as law enforcement officers, judges, and other protected persons, may be eligible to request that specific personal information be redacted (removed or obscured) from publicly accessible records to protect privacy and safety.
To exercise any of these rights or for assistance regarding your personal information, please contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office directly using the contact details provided at the end of this policy. We are committed to responding promptly and ensuring your privacy concerns are addressed in accordance with the law.
Security Measures
The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to safeguarding the personal and property-related information you entrust to us. We implement a combination of administrative, technical, and physical security protocols to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, or destruction.
- Technical Security: Our website employs industry-standard encryption protocols (HTTPS/SSL) for all data transmissions to ensure confidentiality between your device and our servers.
- Access Controls: Only authorized personnel with appropriate security clearance may access sensitive user data, and they are required to follow strict confidentiality procedures.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Our systems are continuously monitored, updated, and patched to mitigate potential vulnerabilities or cyber threats.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
To enhance functionality and improve user experience, our website utilizes cookies and similar tracking technologies. These technologies allow us to:
- Track general website usage patterns and traffic volumes
- Customize content based on visitor preferences
- Maintain session information for services like the Property Search Tool and Tax Estimator
You may opt out or restrict cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may impact the availability or performance of some site features.
Updates to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in applicable laws, technological advancements, or our internal data management practices. When updates occur, the “Last Updated” date at the top of the page will be revised accordingly. We encourage users to check this policy regularly to stay informed about how their information is protected.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please reach out to us:
Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C
Viera, FL 32940
📞 Phone: (321) 264-6700
📧 Email: info@bcpao.us
🌐 Website: www.bcpao.us