Dealing with property taxes and finding real estate records can feel like a headache.
The Broward County Property Appraiser website is packed with data, but knowing where to click is not always easy.
Whether you want to check your home’s tax value, look up who owns a piece of land, or save money with an exemption, you are in the right place.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to use the official Broward County tools.
You will learn the exact steps to find property details, read the visual maps, and keep more money in your pocket.
Broward County Property Appraiser Property Search
If you are buying a house, checking up on a neighbor, or verifying your own tax record, the property search tool is where you start.
What to Do: You need to search the public database using an address, the owner’s name, or the Folio Number (also called a Parcel ID).
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the Portal: Go directly to the official Broward County Property Search Page.
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Choose Your Method: Click on “Search by Address,” “Search by Name,” or “Search by Folio.”
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Type the Address Correctly: If you search by address, do not type words like “Street” or “Avenue.” Just use abbreviations like “ST” or “AVE” to avoid errors.
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Enter Names Backwards: If searching by a person’s name, type their Last Name first, put a comma, and then type the First Name (Example: Smith, John).
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View the Record: Click your property from the list to see the owner details, the assessed value, sales history, and building square footage.
Expert Local Insight: Always check the “Sales History” at the bottom of the property record.
If you see a house sold for exactly $100, that is not a real sale. It means the property was transferred using a “Quit Claim Deed,” usually between family members or into a trust.
Never use a $100 sale to figure out what a house is worth on the market.
Broward County Property Appraiser Map Search
Sometimes looking at a page of text is not enough. If you want to see exactly where property lines end, check zoning rules,
or see if a house is in a flood zone, you need the interactive map.
What to Do: You will use the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) tool. This puts helpful visual layers over a real satellite picture of the property.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the Map Tool: Go to the BCPA Interactive GIS Map.
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Find the House: Use the search bar in the corner to type the property address or the 13-digit Folio Number.
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Turn on the Layers: Look for the layer menu icon on the side of the screen.
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Check for Floods: Click the box that says “FEMA Flood Zones.” The map will change colors to show if the property sits in a high-risk flood area. This is a huge help before you buy a house because flood insurance is very expensive.
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Measure the Lot: You can use the digital ruler tool at the top of the map to measure the exact distance from the house to the street or the backyard fence.
Broward County Property Appraiser Homestead Exemption
If you own a home in Broward County and live there permanently, you are losing money if you do not file for a Homestead Exemption.
It drops your property’s taxable value by up to $50,000, saving you hundreds of dollars every year.
What to Do: You must file your application with the Property Appraiser before March 1st.
Once it is approved, it renews automatically every year as long as you do not move.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Update Your Cards First: Make sure your Florida Driver’s License and Florida Voter Registration card show your new Broward County address.
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Visit the Exemptions Page: Go to the BCPA Online Homestead Portal.
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Start the Application: Enter your Social Security Number and your Folio Number to begin.
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Upload Your Proof: You will be asked to attach photos or copies of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
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Save Your Receipt: After you click submit, always write down your confirmation number.
Expert Local Insight: If you sold an old house in Florida to buy this new one in Broward, do not forget about “Portability.”
Portability lets you bring your old tax savings to your new house.
You must fill out the specific Portability section on the application to get this extra discount.
Broward County Property Appraiser Phone Number & Local Offices
If you find a mistake on your property record or if the online system is giving you trouble, it is always faster to talk to a real person.
Do not rely on random Google searches for help. Here are the exact local offices you need.
1. Broward County Property Appraiser (Main Office)
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What they do: This is the main headquarters. They help with property value questions, fixing name spelling errors, and filing all exemptions.
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Physical Address: Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Working Phone Number: 954-357-6830
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Website Link: bcpa.net
2. Broward County Tax Collector
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What they do: The Property Appraiser only decides the value of your house. They do not collect your money. You must contact the Tax Collector to actually pay your November property tax bill.
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Physical Address: 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Working Phone Number: 954-357-4829
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Website Link: broward.county-taxes.com
3. Value Adjustment Board (VAB)
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What they do: If you strongly disagree with the value the appraiser put on your house, you file a formal appeal here to fight your taxes.
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Physical Address: 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 120, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Working Phone Number: 954-357-7205
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Website Link: Broward VAB Page
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I find my Folio Number in Broward County?
Yes, you can easily find it online. Go to the BCPA property search page, type in your home address, and open your property record.
The 13-digit number listed at the very top of the page is your Folio Number.
When are property taxes due in Broward County?
Property tax bills are mailed out every year on November 1st. You get a 4% discount if you pay in November.
The final, absolute deadline to pay your taxes before they become late is March 31st.
Can I file for Homestead Exemption in person?
Yes, you can. You can bring your Florida Driver’s License and vehicle registration directly to the main BCPA office in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays.
Why did my Broward property taxes go up so much?
When you buy a house, the tax value resets to the current market value. The previous owner likely had a Homestead Exemption capping their taxes for years.
The new bill reflects the new, higher purchase price of the home.