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Terms & Conditions – Brevard County Property Appraiser

The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s website serves as a comprehensive public resource intended to deliver accessible, reliable, and up-to-date property-related information to residents, property owners, real estate professionals, and other users. This online platform supports the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of our office’s public service mission.

By accessing or using this website, you acknowledge and agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions, which are established to:

  • Promote responsible and lawful use of publicly available property data
  • Safeguard the accuracy and integrity of digital tools and official content
  • Protect users’ privacy and ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws
  • Prevent unauthorized activities such as data scraping, misuse of content, or system interference

These Terms apply to all users—including individuals accessing records for personal, professional, or commercial reasons—and cover all aspects of the website, including search tools, interactive forms, digital documents, mapping systems, and downloadable resources.

We encourage all visitors to review these terms carefully before using any service or tool provided on this website. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, you should refrain from using the site.

For questions or clarification regarding these Terms, please contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office directly.

Purpose of These Terms

The Terms & Conditions for the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s official website establish the rules, expectations, and legal boundaries for anyone accessing or using the site. These terms are important for ensuring responsible use of public data, safeguarding system functionality, and upholding the office’s mission to serve the public accurately and transparently.

Here’s a breakdown of the key purposes in greater detail:

To Establish a Legal Framework for Website Use

These terms set the legal foundation that governs how users may interact with the website, its tools, and the data it provides. This ensures that:

  • Users understand that the content is governed by local, state, and federal law.
  • Any misuse, unauthorized access, or breach may be subject to legal consequences.
  • The Property Appraiser’s Office maintains legal protection over its digital systems, records, and resources.

To Clarify User Responsibilities

The terms define how users are expected to behave while using the site. This includes:

  • Using tools like the Property Search, Tax Estimator, or Exemption Filing Portal only for lawful and appropriate purposes.
  • Respecting data integrity and not attempting to alter or manipulate information.
  • Ensuring that submitted forms and data (e.g., exemption applications) are accurate and truthful.

This protects both the agency and the public from errors, fraud, and misuse.

To Protect the Accuracy and Integrity of Official Public Data

The Property Appraiser’s Office is responsible for maintaining reliable, up-to-date property assessment data. These terms ensure:

  • That digital property records are accessed and interpreted appropriately.
  • That tools and calculators are used as estimates, not legal instruments.
  • That the website’s functionality is not disrupted by misuse or data scraping.

Preserving the data’s integrity is essential for fair property taxation and public transparency.

To Prevent Unauthorized or Harmful Activities

To protect both users and the County’s digital infrastructure, the terms prohibit:

  • Unauthorized access to secure parts of the site or internal databases.
  • Automated scraping, data mining, or excessive downloading of public records.
  • Uploading malicious code, software, or attempting to disrupt normal operations.

Such protections ensure the system remains stable, available, and secure for all users.

To Ensure Compliance with Relevant Laws and Regulations

The website operates under multiple legal frameworks, including:

  • Florida’s Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes)
  • State privacy and cybersecurity laws
  • Government IT and ADA (Accessibility) requirements

The terms make it clear that users are also expected to comply with these laws while using the site.

To Set Expectations for the Use of Public Information

Finally, these terms explain that while property data is public and freely accessible, it is not to be:

  • Used for commercial exploitation or marketing purposes.
  • Relied upon as legal advice, financial guidance, or zoning confirmation without verification.
  • Considered a substitute for certified records from the Clerk of Court or other official agencies.

Users are encouraged to use the tools for informational purposes only, and contact the Property Appraiser’s Office for any official documentation or legal inquiries.

Acceptable Use & User Responsibilities

By accessing and using the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s official website, users agree to follow the principles of responsible, legal, and ethical conduct. These guidelines are designed to preserve the integrity of the site, ensure equitable access to public resources, and support the office’s mission to provide transparent property information and services.

Users must agree to the following responsibilities:

Lawful Use Only

You are required to use the website strictly for lawful and authorized purposes in compliance with:

  • Federal laws (e.g., data protection and cybersecurity regulations)
  • Florida State Statutes (including Chapter 119 – Public Records Law)
  • Local ordinances and applicable administrative rules

Examples of lawful use include:

  • Accessing property information for research or verification
  • Submitting exemption applications for your own property
  • Using tools like the Tax Estimator for planning purposes

Unlawful uses include attempting to extract data in bulk for resale, using the site to harass individuals, or misrepresenting identity or ownership in form submissions.

Accurate and Truthful Submissions

When submitting any form, application, or inquiry through the website—including Homestead Exemption filings, TPP returns, or records requests—you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, up-to-date, and complete information
  • Only submit forms related to properties you own or represent legally
  • Refrain from providing false information or impersonating others

Inaccurate or fraudulent submissions may result in the denial of benefits, removal of exemptions, and/or legal penalties under Florida law.

Respect for Website Functionality

Users must not take any action that would disrupt or degrade the performance or security of the website. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Overloading the server with excessive or repeated requests
  • Attempting to interfere with the availability of the site for others
  • Introducing malicious code, malware, or attempting to exploit system vulnerabilities

The Property Appraiser’s Office monitors network activity and may restrict or block IP addresses that violate this policy.

No Unauthorized Access or Manipulation

The website contains public-facing features and secure internal systems. As a user, you agree not to:

  • Attempt to gain access to secure or administrative areas of the site without authorization
  • Bypass user authentication or access control systems
  • Attempt to alter, modify, or falsify public records or property data
  • Use automated scripts, bots, or data mining tools to extract bulk data

All administrative access is limited to authorized Brevard County personnel and service vendors under contract.

Prohibited Conduct

To protect the integrity, security, and usability of the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s website, users are strictly prohibited from engaging in the following types of activities:

Unauthorized Access

Users must not attempt to:

  • Access administrative portals, secure databases, or back-end systems without official credentials
  • Bypass authentication or access controls through hacking, password guessing, or other illicit means
  • Interfere with system architecture or internal operations

All access attempts are monitored and logged. Unauthorized access may constitute a criminal offense under state and federal law.

Automated Data Extraction

The use of automated systems—such as bots, scrapers, crawlers, or other tools—to:

  • Extract, copy, or index large volumes of property records
  • Harvest email addresses or contact details
  • Monitor website content for commercial reuse

…is strictly prohibited. These activities place an undue burden on public infrastructure and violate fair use principles.

Malicious Software and Code Injection

Users are forbidden from uploading, transmitting, or embedding any software, code, or files that:

  • Contain viruses, worms, spyware, or malware
  • Could harm, intercept, or manipulate data flows
  • Are designed to disrupt or compromise the website’s security, availability, or performance

Attempts to introduce malicious code may result in immediate account blocks, reporting to cybersecurity agencies, and criminal prosecution.

False Representation

Users must not:

  • Falsify personal information when using online forms or service requests
  • Impersonate another individual, property owner, or official
  • Submit documents or data on behalf of others without proper legal authorization

Misrepresentation can invalidate exemptions, trigger audits, and result in legal penalties.

Interference with Website Functionality

It is prohibited to:

  • Engage in denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or flooding the site with high-volume traffic
  • Test the site’s vulnerabilities in a disruptive manner
  • Take any action that intentionally slows down performance, disables tools, or affects the experience of other users

Consequences of Violation

Violations of these Terms may lead to:

  • Revocation of access to online tools or digital services
  • Internal investigation and civil penalties
  • Reporting to appropriate law enforcement or cybersecurity agencies

The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office reserves the right to take legal or administrative action in response to any breach of these terms.

Data Accuracy & Use Disclaimer

The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office strives to provide accurate, reliable, and timely information on this website. Data such as parcel records, assessed property values, exemption statuses, and related mapping tools are updated routinely to reflect the most current records available. However, users should be aware of the following limitations:

No Absolute Guarantee of Accuracy

Although every effort is made to maintain and verify the accuracy of all data presented:

  • Property information may change between updates due to sales, transfers, appeals, or administrative adjustments.
  • Exemption statuses may not reflect real-time application or approval status.
  • GIS mapping data, property boundaries, and measurement tools are approximations and not suitable for legal surveys or engineering use.

We do not warrant that all displayed information is completely free from typographical errors, technical inaccuracies, or omissions.

Reference Use Only

All data provided on this website is intended for informational and reference purposes only. It does not replace:

  • Official property surveys
  • Certified legal documents or title records
  • Formal tax notices or billing statements issued by the Brevard County Tax Collector
  • Determinations from zoning or permitting authorities

For any legal, financial, or transactional purposes, users are advised to obtain certified documentation directly from the Property Appraiser’s Office or appropriate government agency.

No Legal or Professional Reliance

This website and its contents are not a substitute for professional advice. You should consult a:

  • Licensed attorney for questions regarding ownership, deeds, or legal property rights
  • Certified public accountant (CPA) or tax consultant for personal or business tax matters
  • Licensed surveyor for precise land measurements or boundary verification
  • Zoning official for land use, permitting, or development matters

Reliance solely on the data from this site, without external verification, may lead to misinterpretation or unintended consequences.

User Responsibility

By using this website, users acknowledge that:

  • They assume full responsibility for how they interpret and use the data
  • The Property Appraiser’s Office is not liable for damages, delays, or errors resulting from reliance on unofficial or outdated content

Privacy & Data Protection

Use of the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s website is subject to our official Privacy Policy, which outlines how we collect, manage, and protect user data in compliance with Florida law. Our commitment to privacy reflects our responsibility to safeguard your personal information while providing transparent and secure public services.

What Personal Information Is Collected

When you interact with our website—such as submitting an exemption application, filling out a contact form, or requesting public records—we may collect:

  • Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Name, address, phone number, email, and related contact details
  • Property-Related Data: Parcel ID, ownership history, exemption status, and application details
  • Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and usage patterns collected through secure cookies and web analytics tools

How Your Data Is Stored and Used

Collected data is stored securely and used only for purposes directly related to public service functions, such as:

  • Verifying property ownership and exemption eligibility
  • Responding to inquiries and processing requests
  • Improving website performance and accessibility
  • Complying with legal requirements for records retention and transparency

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

Your Privacy Rights Under Florida Law

As a Florida resident, you have specific rights related to your personal data, including:

  • Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we have on file.
  • Correction: You may request updates or corrections to your information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Redaction: Certain individuals—such as law enforcement officers, judges, and other eligible public officials—may request the removal (redaction) of personal information from public property records under Florida Statutes (F.S. 119.071).
  • Transparency: You have the right to understand how your data is used and to whom it may be disclosed under applicable public records laws.

How We Protect User Data

To ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your data, we implement:

  • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption for all data transmitted through our website
  • Firewall protection and access controls on all internal systems
  • Routine security audits to monitor for vulnerabilities
  • Confidentiality agreements with third-party service providers that handle technical support or data processing

We are committed to maintaining high standards of data protection and continually enhancing our security practices in accordance with evolving threats and regulations.

Intellectual Property & Content Use

All materials and content displayed on the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s website—including but not limited to text, images, graphics, logos, icons, downloadable forms, databases, and interactive tools—are the exclusive intellectual property of the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office unless explicitly noted otherwise.

Ownership and Rights

  • This content is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.
  • Unauthorized reproduction, modification, distribution, publication, or commercial use of any part of this website’s content is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Permitted Use

  • Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to access and use the website and its resources for personal, informational, and non-commercial purposes only.
  • Content may be viewed, printed, or downloaded for individual reference or official use, provided it is not altered and appropriate attribution is maintained.

Restrictions

  • Copying, duplicating, selling, reselling, or exploiting any content for commercial gain or unauthorized distribution is prohibited.
  • Use of trademarks, logos, or service marks displayed on the site without explicit authorization is not allowed.
  • Automated extraction of large datasets (data scraping) or systematic reproduction of website content violates these terms and may lead to legal action.

If you wish to request permission for commercial use, reproduction, or redistribution of any materials on this site, please contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office directly for licensing inquiries.

Communications & Contact

By accessing and using the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s website, including submitting any forms, applications, or inquiries, you acknowledge and consent to receive communications from the Property Appraiser’s Office. These communications may be sent via email, phone, or postal mail and will relate exclusively to official business such as updates on your submissions, requests for additional information, or important notices regarding your property.

Purpose of Communications

  • To provide timely responses to inquiries and applications.
  • To deliver important updates or changes in policies, services, or deadlines.
  • To facilitate efficient and accurate processing of property assessments, exemptions, or records requests.

Your Privacy and Preferences

  • We respect your privacy and will not use your contact information for marketing or unsolicited purposes.
  • If you wish to update your contact preferences or opt out of non-essential communications, please notify our office using the contact information below.

Contact Information for Questions or Support

For any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, or if you need assistance with our website or services, please contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office at:

Main Office:
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C
Viera, FL 32940

Phone: (321) 264-6700

Email: Please use the contact form available on our official website at www.bcpao.us to ensure your inquiry is directed to the appropriate department.

Updates to Terms & Conditions

The Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office reserves the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. Changes may be made to reflect new legal requirements, improvements to website functionality, or updates in office policies.

Your Responsibility to Stay Informed

As a user of this website, it is your responsibility to regularly review this page to stay informed of any updates or changes. Continued access to or use of the website after such changes have been posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms & Conditions.

How Updates Will Be Communicated

While we may post notices of significant updates on the website, individual notifications will not typically be sent. We encourage all users to visit this section periodically to ensure awareness of current terms governing use.