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Property Assessors Offices - Florida Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing Florida assessor agencies

By Emmet McMahan
Florida property assessors offices laws and regulations control the methods that property assessors use to estimate the value of real property. Florida property appraisers usually perform assessments against a given standard, such as fair market value, distressed sale value or foreclosure value. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) provides quality control standards for the appraisal of real property in the United States. The USPAP does not actually define standards of value for property assessments, but does provide guidance on how they should be defined.

There are many different sources of information on the laws regarding Florida property values. These sources include the three following categories:
  1. The Florida state government. These sources provide the state laws and other official information on Florida property records.
  2. County and municipal governments in Florida. These sources provide the rules and procedures for a specific property assessors office in Florida.
  3. Law firms in Florida that specialize in property law. Many of these firms provide general information on the property tax laws in Florida.

 

Examine the laws that control Florida property assessors offices

The state government of Florida will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Florida.
Try: The Florida Legislature describes the valuation method of real property in Title 14 of the Florida statute. The Florida Department of Revenue offers an extensive overview on the property tax laws in Florida.

Study the procedures for conducting Florida property assessment in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for Florida assessors and also may offer a Florida property tax search. A complete list of Florida property tax records may also be available.
Try: The Bay County Property Appraiser defines the legal categories of property for the purposes of property taxes. The Bradford County Property Appraiser describes the legal role of the property appraiser under the Florida Constitution.

Review Florida property assessors laws from law firms in Florida

Florida lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in Florida. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Florida.
Try: Tannebaum Weiss provides a FAQ on property assessment law in Florida. Foster & Trautman has an article specifically on property tax laws in the Tampa Bay area.

 

  • The laws on Florida property assessment are generally guided by the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989. This federal legislation requires all states to have a system to certify and license real estate appraisers. Prior to the passage of the FIRREA, there were no national standards for ensuring the quality of real estate appraisers in the United States.

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