The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office (BCPA) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains in detail how we collect, use, store, and safeguard the data you provide when using our website, services, and online tools. We aim to be transparent about our data practices and ensure you feel confident when interacting with our office digitally.
Information We Collect
To effectively manage property data and provide essential services to Broward County residents and businesses, we collect several types of information, which fall into the following categories:
Personal Identifiable Information (PII)
When you interact with the BCPA—whether applying for exemptions, submitting forms, or contacting us—you may provide personal details such as:
- Full name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Account login credentials (username and password) if you register for online access
This information helps us verify your identity, process your requests, and communicate important updates related to your property or applications.
Property Information
In accordance with Florida law, property information including parcel numbers (folio numbers), property descriptions, assessed values, and exemption status is considered public record. We collect, maintain, and publish this data to support property tax administration and public transparency.
Technical and Usage Data
When you visit our website, we automatically collect technical information such as:
- IP addresses
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring websites and click patterns
This data helps us analyze how users interact with our site, identify areas for improvement, and maintain website security.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your experience, such as remembering your preferences, maintaining secure sessions, and gathering aggregate analytics data. Cookies do not collect personal information beyond what you voluntarily provide.
How We Use Your Information
The information collected by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office is used strictly to fulfill our legal and operational responsibilities, including but not limited to:
- Processing exemption applications, tangible personal property returns, and other filings accurately and efficiently.
- Maintaining up-to-date property records to support tax assessments and billing.
- Communicating important notices, such as deadlines, changes in valuation, or application status updates.
- Enhancing our website’s functionality and security based on usage patterns and performance metrics.
- Complying with Florida statutes and other applicable regulations related to property taxation and public records.
- Investigating and resolving any discrepancies, errors, or concerns related to property data or submitted information.
Sharing and Disclosure of Information
The BCPA does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. Nonetheless, there are circumstances where information may be shared, including:
- Public Access: Florida’s Sunshine Laws require certain property-related information to be publicly accessible. This includes property ownership, valuations, and exemptions, which can be viewed through our online property search tools or public records requests.
- Third-Party Service Providers: We engage trusted vendors to provide website hosting, IT support, and application processing services. These vendors are contractually obligated to protect the confidentiality and security of your information and use it only for authorized purposes.
- Legal Obligations: If required by law, subpoena, court order, or to protect public safety, we may disclose personal or property data to governmental or law enforcement agencies.
All disclosures comply with applicable privacy laws and are limited to the minimum necessary information.
Data Security Measures
Protecting your information is a priority for the BCPA. We implement multiple layers of security controls to guard against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your data:
- Encryption: Our website uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt data transmitted between your browser and our servers, especially during login and submission of sensitive forms.
- Access Controls: Only authorized BCPA staff members with a legitimate need to access personal or property data are granted permission, and their access is monitored and logged.
- Regular Audits: We perform routine security assessments and system updates to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
- Data Backup: Important data is regularly backed up and stored securely to prevent loss due to system failure or cyber incidents.
While we strive to maintain the highest security standards, no online system can guarantee absolute protection. We encourage users to safeguard their login credentials and use secure devices when accessing our services.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Cookies are small data files stored on your device to improve your experience on our website. We use cookies to:
- Retain your session and preferences during and between visits.
- Analyze website traffic and usage trends to enhance site performance.
- Deliver customized content and notifications relevant to your interests.
You have the option to disable or limit cookies through your browser settings; however, this may impact the availability or functionality of some features on our site.
Your Rights and Choices
You have control over your personal information and how it is used:
- Access and Correction: You may request to review the personal data we have collected about you and ask for corrections if any inaccuracies exist.
- Opt-Out: If you receive promotional or informational communications from us, you can opt out by following the unsubscribe instructions included in those messages or contacting us directly.
- Data Retention: We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill our responsibilities or as required by law. When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymized.
To exercise any of these rights or submit privacy-related inquiries, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact details below.
Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we discover that personal data of a child under 13 has been collected inadvertently, we will promptly delete such information from our records.
Updates to This Privacy Policy
The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in legal requirements, technological advancements, or operational practices. We encourage visitors and users to review this policy periodically for any updates. Your continued use of our website and services constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, please contact:
Privacy Officer
Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office
115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 111
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 357-6830
Email: privacy@bcpa.net
We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently.
By using the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.