Search Fort Lauderdale Property Records

Fort Lauderdale property records are held by the Broward County Property Appraiser and cover every parcel within city limits. These records show ownership, assessed and taxable values, exemptions, legal descriptions, building data, and sales history. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, so the main Property Appraiser office is located right in the city. This page walks through how to find property records, how homestead exemptions work, how to protect your property from deed fraud, and what other city offices maintain related records.

Broward County Property Appraiser

The Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA), led by Marty Kiar, is located at 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 111, Fort Lauderdale FL 33301. The main phone number is (954) 357-6830, and the general email is bcpamail@bcpa.net. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office website is at bcpa.net.

If you plan to visit in person, mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. tend to have shorter wait times. Avoiding lunch hours usually means faster service. For most searches, the online portal is the fastest option and does not require a trip to the office.

The Broward County Property Appraiser's main website lets you search all Fort Lauderdale parcels by address, owner name, or parcel ID.

Start your search at bcpa.net to find current ownership, assessed values, and exemption data for any Fort Lauderdale property.

Homestead Exemption in Fort Lauderdale

Florida law allows homeowners who use their Fort Lauderdale property as a primary residence to apply for a homestead exemption. The exemption reduces the property's assessed value by up to $50,000 for tax purposes. The first $25,000 covers all taxing levies; the second $25,000 applies only to non-school levies.

The deadline to apply is March 1 each year. Applications submitted after March 1 do not take effect until the next tax year. New purchasers who move in after January 1 should apply as early as possible to meet the deadline.

For homestead inquiries, contact the BCPA exemptions team at exemptions@bcpa.net or call (954) 357-5579. You can also apply online through the homestead application at bcpa.net/homestead.asp. The homestead page has eligibility information, required documents, and the online application form.

Save Our Homes limits the annual increase in assessed value for homestead properties to 3% or the CPI rate, whichever is lower. This can make a big difference in your tax bill over time. When you sell, the cap resets for the new owner at market value.

The BCPA homestead exemption page walks through eligibility, deadlines, and the online application process for Fort Lauderdale homeowners.

Apply for your homestead exemption or check your current status at bcpa.net/homestead.asp.

Owner Alert: Free Deed Fraud Protection

The Broward County Property Appraiser offers a free service called Owner Alert. When you sign up, you get an email notification any time the BCPA receives a document that could change ownership on your property. This service helps you catch unauthorized changes quickly and take action if someone has tried to transfer your property without your knowledge.

To enroll, email owneralert@bcpa.net or call 954-357-5579. You will need your name, Property ID number, and email address. There is no fee to sign up. Deed fraud is a real concern in South Florida, and this service is one of the fastest ways to get notice if something happens on your parcel.

Forms and Document Submission

The BCPA offers a full library of forms for exemptions, change of address requests, portability applications, and other property-related matters. All forms are available under the "Download Forms" tab at bcpa.net/forms.asp. Completed forms can be emailed to CSEmgmt@bcpa.net or faxed to (954) 357-6188. Paper forms can also be dropped off at the office during business hours.

If you have questions about which form to use or how to fill one out, the BCPA's FAQ tool at web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/Ask-Questions covers common scenarios in plain language. It is a helpful resource before you call the office.

City of Fort Lauderdale Building Records

Building permits, inspection records, and code enforcement files are handled by the City of Fort Lauderdale's Building Services Department. The main building office is at 700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33311, phone 954-828-6800. Online permit searches are available at fortlauderdale.gov/government/departments/building-services.

Building records are distinct from Property Appraiser data, but they work together. If you want to know whether unpermitted work was done on a property, or whether a prior permit was properly closed out, building department records are where you look. These records are public and can be requested in person or through the city's online system.

For general city services and records requests, the City of Fort Lauderdale main office is at 100 N Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33301, phone 954-828-5000. Their website is fortlauderdale.gov.

Florida Public Records Law and Statutes

Florida's property assessment system runs under several state statutes. Chapter 192 covers general property tax rules. Chapter 193 sets rules for annual assessments of real and personal property. These chapters define what is taxable, how values are set, and what records property appraisers must keep.

Public access to property records is governed by Chapter 119, Florida's Public Records Law. Under this law, assessment records and ownership data are generally open to the public. Fees for certified copies of recorded documents are set under Chapter 28, which governs clerk of court procedures and record fees.

Nearby Cities

Fort Lauderdale sits at the center of Broward County, surrounded by several large cities with their own property record pages.