How to Search for Jacksonville Property Records

Jacksonville property records are public; anyone can search for them and get copies without a reason. You can find deeds, ownership history, liens, foreclosures, taxes, mortgages, values, building permits, etc. The key is knowing where to find the proper records. Some of the sources to check out include:

Jacksonville County Property Appraiser

The Duval County Property Appraiser is the government office responsible for maintaining and recording property tax records. They determine property values and set tax rates. You can easily search their website for information on a specific property.

Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Another great place to search for Jacksonville property records is the Duval County Clerk of the Court. You can find case information and property records, including sales and transfers (grantor/grantee) and other types of property documents. You can also search by case number or type. If you need copies of documents, you can visit the office in person at 501 West Adams Street, Room 1046, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Third-Party Commercial Services

PropertyChecker is an excellent option for quickly and easily obtaining a complete property report, including value, taxes, liens, foreclosures, and other essential data. You can quickly search using the property address to see if it is in pre-foreclosure or has liens that may lead to foreclosure. You can also search by zip code to view all the pre-foreclosure homes in a specific area.

Jacksonville, Florida, property taxes pay for schools, water, sewer, fire, police, road maintenance, and emergency services. The Duval County Tax Collector bills for and collects taxes for the entire city and then distributes the money to the proper expense. The Duval Property Appraiser determines the property's value and approves and calculates exemptions. You can pay your property taxes easily online or by mailing in your payment to:

Assessments

The Duval County Property Appraiser assesses property annually in August and determines the values. Tax bills go out yearly around January 1st, and the payments are due by March 31st.

Appraisals

Jacksonville refers to property assessments as appraisals. They mean the same thing regarding the valuation of all property within city limits. However, in the case of complex buildings or new construction, the city appraiser may consult with a private certified appraiser to help determine the value. Lenders, estate planners, and the courts also use appraisals to value property.

Tax Rates

The median property tax rate in Jacksonville is 0.77%, which is well below the national average of 0.99%. The median tax rate across all of Florida is 1.14%, which makes Jacksonville very affordable. For example, the average annual tax bill in Jacksonville is $1,682. Other parts of Florida are not so lucky. For example:

• Monroe County (33045) $3,177
• Palm Beach County (33474) $2,908
• Miami-Dade County (33197) $2,700
• Orange County (32869) $2,183
• Sarasota County (34230) $2,063
• Hillsborough County (33572) $2,055
• Seminole County (32795) $2,034

Property taxes in Jacksonville, Florida, have risen significantly over the past few years, and the median is up 60%. The reason for the drastic hike is the increase in remote workers during the pandemic, the increase in home prices, and a surge in HOA insurance costs.

Exemptions

As property taxes rise, homeowners need a way to save. Jacksonville offers eligible homeowners some breaks on their property taxes through exemptions. The available exemptions include:

• Homestead Exemption - Up to a $50,000 reduction in taxable value
• Armed Forces/Deployed Active Duty Military Personnel (Property Tax Exemption)
• Blindness Exemption
• Conservation Exemption (Land Dedicated in Perpetuity)
• Disability Exemption $5000
• Disabled Veteran Exemption
• "Granny Flat" Reduction - Assessment Reduction for Living Quarters of Parents or Grandparents
• Historic Preservation Exemption (available through the City of Jacksonville)
• Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder
• Totally and Permanently Disabled Exemption for First Responder and Their Surviving Spouse
• Institutional (Non-Profit) Exemptions
• Senior Citizen Exemption
• Service-Connected Total and Permanent Disability Exemption
• Totally and Permanently Disabled Exemption
• Widow/Widower Exemption

The Jacksonville Building Inspection Division is the city agency that issues building permits for residential and commercial projects. Most often, the contractor will obtain the necessary permits, but Jacksonville does allow homeowners to get them for small projects. The agency's website has abundant information on permits and the rules. You can apply online or in person at the Building Inspection Division, 214 N. Hogan St., Room 280, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Permits are required for new construction, renovations, and demolition. The types of permits available include:

• Piers
• Energy Seal
• Wall & Insulation
• Decking and Felt
• Framing
• Driveway/Flatwork
• Sheetrock
• Brick Tie
• Brick Tie
• Fire Wall
• Electrical Rough-in
• Electrical Ceiling
• Electrical Underground
• Electrical Final
• Mechanical Rough-In
• Mechanical Final
• Plumbing Rough-in
• Foundation
• Plumbing Top Out
• Plumbing Water/Sewer
• Fire Line
• Fire Acceptance Test
• Fire Alarm
• Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Commercial Hood
• Storm Sewer
• Plumbing Final
• Gas Line
• Gas Final
• Building Final
• C.O. Final

All the permits above require inspections throughout the construction project. You can schedule them through the Building Inspection Division. The purpose is to ensure that the work complies with all local building and safety codes.

Jacksonville, Florida, has a population of 985,843 people. The city has 10,451,818 housing units, 67.3% of which are owner-occupied. The median value of those owner-occupied homes is $325,000. Jacksonville has a wide variety of housing unit types, including single-family homes, apartments, public housing, rental ADUs (accessory dwelling units), residential low-density units (RLD), and residential high-density (RHD). The median price for a single-family home in Jacksonville is between $302,141 and $394,000. The areas of Jacksonville vary in price. For example:

• Mandarin (32223) $567,000
• Mid-Westside (32209) $148,500
• Orange Park (32067) $325,800
• Jacksonville West (32254) $244,900
• Jacksonville North (32208) $319,900

The Jacksonville real estate market is growing, and the average number of days a house stays on the market is 62. San Marco (32207), Riverside (32204), and Mandarin are some of the more sought-after neighborhoods. Rental vacancies in Jacksonville remain steady at about 8.5%.