Sumter County Property Records Search

Sumter County property records are managed by the Property Appraiser's office in Bushnell and are available to the public through the official website and in-person requests. This guide covers how to search ownership data, assessed values, tax information, and exemptions for any parcel in Sumter County, Florida.

Sumter County Property Appraiser

The Sumter County Property Appraiser's office is located at 218 E McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513. You can reach the office by phone at 352-569-6800. The official website is sumterpa.org, where you can search parcel records, view GIS maps, and get information about exemptions and the assessment process. The Property Appraiser is a constitutional officer elected by Sumter County voters.

The office determines the fair market value of all real and tangible personal property in Sumter County as of January 1 each year. It does not set tax rates or collect taxes. The County Commission and other taxing authorities set millage rates. The Tax Collector sends bills and collects payment. The Property Appraiser's role is limited to valuation and exemption administration.

Sumter County has grown significantly in recent decades, driven largely by The Villages retirement community, which spans portions of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. This has made the county's real estate market unusually active and has increased the complexity of the Property Appraiser's workload. The database reflects this activity with frequent updates.

Searching Property Records Online

The Sumter County Property Appraiser's website lets you search parcels by owner name, address, or parcel identification number. Results include the current owner's name and mailing address, the property's legal description, land and building details, annual assessed values going back multiple years, and any exemptions on file.

The GIS map viewer is another useful tool. It shows parcel boundaries on an interactive map and lets you click on any parcel to view basic record information. You can zoom into specific neighborhoods, switch between aerial and base map views, and compare adjacent parcels. This is helpful when you need a visual reference for a location you are researching.

Sales data is included in the parcel record. You can see recent arm's-length transactions, including sale dates and prices. This data helps the office set values and is useful for anyone trying to understand what similar properties have sold for in the area. The records are updated as new sales are recorded.

For older or more detailed records, including recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens, you will need the Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk's recording division handles documents that affect title to real property. These records are public and accessible online through the Clerk's official records system.

Public Records Requests

Florida's public records law, found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives any person the right to inspect and copy most government records, including those held by the Property Appraiser and Clerk. Requests can be made in person, by phone, by email, or by mail. Agencies must respond promptly and may charge for the cost of copying.

The Florida Department of Revenue's public records page explains how to make a records request and what to expect from state agencies. For Sumter County specifically, most property records are available through the online database at no cost, so formal requests are usually only needed for specialized data extracts, older records not yet digitized, or documents outside the standard public portal.

Homestead Exemption

Florida's Homestead Exemption is available to Sumter County property owners who use their parcel as a permanent primary residence as of January 1. The exemption reduces assessed value by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all taxes. The second $25,000 applies to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000, and it does not apply to school taxes.

To qualify, you must have a Florida driver's license or ID, Florida vehicle registration, and Florida voter registration, all listing the property address. You apply through the Property Appraiser's office either online or in person. The deadline is March 1. Missing this deadline means you will not get the exemption for that tax year.

The Homestead Exemption activates the Save Our Homes cap. Once in place, your assessed value cannot rise more than 3% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. In a county where property values have risen sharply, this cap provides meaningful protection for long-time residents. Sumter County's growth has made the cap especially valuable for owners who have been there for many years.

Portability lets you transfer your accumulated Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida home. The amount you can transfer is the difference between your market value and assessed value, up to $500,000. You must apply for portability at the same time you apply for Homestead Exemption on the new property.

Other Exemptions and Agricultural Classification

Sumter County property owners may qualify for additional exemptions beyond Homestead. The most common include:

• Senior low-income exemption for residents age 65 and older who meet income requirements
• Veterans' exemption for honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability
• Total and permanent disability exemption
• First Responder disability exemption
• Widow and widower exemption
• Tangible personal property exemption for qualifying businesses

Agricultural classification, sometimes called the Greenbelt exemption, allows qualifying farm and timber land to be assessed at its agricultural use value rather than market value. This can produce a very large reduction in taxable value for rural parcels. Sumter County still has significant agricultural land outside the developed areas, and owners of that land should check whether they qualify for this classification.

Title and Land Records

Beyond the Property Appraiser's database, a complete picture of any Sumter County property requires reviewing recorded instruments held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents that affect title are recorded there and are public records.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Survey and Mapping also maintains land records, particularly for state-owned lands, submerged lands, and other public properties. If the parcel you are researching borders water, state forests, or other public land, DEP records may be relevant. Sumter County has several lakes and natural areas where these records come into play.

Appealing a Property Assessment

If you believe your Sumter County property has been overvalued, start by calling the Property Appraiser's office at 352-569-6800. Ask for an informal review. Bring evidence such as recent comparable sales, an independent appraisal, or photos of the property's condition. Many assessment disputes are resolved at this stage without a formal hearing.

If the informal review does not resolve your concern, you can file a petition with the Sumter County Value Adjustment Board. The filing deadline is shown on your TRIM notice, which is mailed in August. The fee is $15. The VAB schedules a hearing before a special magistrate, who reviews evidence from both sides and makes a recommendation. The board then issues a final order.

Circuit court is the next step if you disagree with the VAB ruling. Most property owners stop at the VAB level, but the court option exists for cases where the stakes justify the additional time and expense.

Legal Framework

Sumter County property records are governed by Chapter 192 of the Florida Statutes, which sets out general tax assessment law. Chapter 193 covers assessment procedures in detail. Chapter 119 makes most of these records public. Chapter 28 governs the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the recording of instruments affecting real property. Together, these statutes define what records exist, how they are created, and who can access them.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County includes Bushnell, Coleman, Webster, Center Hill, and Wildwood, along with portions of The Villages retirement community. None of these communities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. For property records in any Sumter County city or unincorporated area, use the county Property Appraiser's resources above.

Nearby Counties

Sumter County borders Citrus to the northwest, Hernando to the west, Pasco to the south, Lake to the east, and Marion to the north.