The Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to safeguarding your personal information while providing transparent and accessible property-related services. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share information gathered through our website and related digital tools. Whether you’re searching for parcel data, applying for exemptions, or using our tax estimator, your privacy is important to us.
Purpose of the Privacy Policy
The purpose of the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Privacy Policy is to clearly explain how we handle your information when you interact with our office through our website, online tools, or official correspondence. Our goal is to ensure you understand your rights, the safeguards we implement, and how your personal and non-personal data is used and shared in accordance with Florida law and industry best practices.
This policy serves to:
Explain What Information We Collect and Why
We outline the specific types of information we collect from users—both personal (such as names, addresses, and identifying numbers) and non-personal (such as IP addresses and browser types). We explain why each type of data is collected, whether it’s for verifying exemption eligibility, processing public records requests, or analyzing website performance.
Clarify How We Use and Protect Your Data
The policy details the legitimate reasons for using the information you provide, such as fulfilling legal obligations, maintaining public records, improving services, and responding to inquiries. We also describe the security protocols and technological safeguards we use to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or misuse of your data.
Identify Third Parties With Whom Data May Be Shared
Transparency is key. We disclose whether and when your information might be shared with other government agencies, contractors, or authorized service providers. These disclosures are made only under lawful conditions or in order to provide services on behalf of our office, never for commercial gain or marketing purposes.
Inform You of Your Privacy Rights
The policy outlines your rights as a user, including your ability to access, review, correct, or redact your personal data, especially under Florida’s Public Records Law. We also explain the steps required to submit a public records exemption request if you are in a protected class (e.g., law enforcement personnel or judges).
Provide Contact Details for Further Inquiries
Should you have any questions about how your information is handled, or if you wish to exercise your rights under this policy, we provide clear instructions on how to reach our office by phone, email, or mail. We are committed to resolving privacy concerns respectfully and promptly.
Information We Collect
We collect two primary types of data:
Personal Information
Personal data may be collected when you:
- Submit a homestead or other exemption application
- File a Tangible Personal Property (TPP) return
- Use the contact form or send us an email
- Subscribe to our newsletters or alerts
Examples include:
- Name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Parcel identification number
- Driver’s license or Social Security number (when required for legal purposes)
Non-Personal Information
When you browse our site, we may automatically collect non-personal technical information such as:
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- IP address
- Geographic region (city/state)
- Pages visited and time spent
- Date and time of access
This data is used strictly for analytical and website performance improvements.
How We Use Your Information
Your information is used for the following legitimate purposes:
- Processing exemption applications
- Managing TPP filings
- Responding to inquiries or service requests
- Sending reminders about tax or filing deadlines
- Conducting surveys or user experience research
- Preventing fraud and unauthorized access to systems
We do not use your information for commercial advertising or share it for marketing purposes.
Public Records and Data Disclosure
Florida has a broad public records law under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Many documents and records submitted to our office become part of the public record and are available upon request.
Examples of Publicly Available Data:
- Property ownership details
- Parcel characteristics and assessed values
- Exemption status
- Maps and aerial imagery
However, certain sensitive information is exempt from disclosure, such as:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver license numbers
- Personal medical information
- Email addresses used for official correspondence (in specific contexts)
If you qualify for a public records exemption (e.g., law enforcement officers, judges), you may request to have your personal information redacted.
Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Recognize returning visitors
- Analyze traffic patterns
- Improve page performance and content delivery
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although doing so may limit functionality in online tools like the property search or TPP portal.
We do not use cookies for commercial tracking or ad targeting.
Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
We may share your information with other government agencies or third-party service providers, but only when:
- It is required by law (e.g., court orders or subpoenas)
- Necessary to complete your transaction (e.g., verifying exemption eligibility)
- Authorized contractors are performing services on our behalf (e.g., hosting secure databases or technical maintenance)
All service providers must agree to maintain confidentiality and uphold privacy standards as outlined in state law and contractual agreements.
Email Communications and Subscriptions
If you opt into newsletters, updates, or deadline alerts, your email address will only be used for that purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link provided in the email or contacting us directly.
We do not sell or share your email address for commercial purposes.
Children’s Privacy
Our services and website are intended for individuals aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect or store personal information from children under the age of 13.
If you believe your child has submitted personal data through our website, please contact us immediately so we can delete the information.
Data Security and Retention
We take data security seriously. Your information is protected by:
- Secure socket layer (SSL) encryption
- Firewall and intrusion detection systems
- Access controls and employee training
- Regular audits and software updates
Personal data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill public records requirements or complete a service. Afterward, it is securely archived or deleted based on Florida’s retention schedule.
User Rights and Choices
The Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office values transparency and respects your privacy. As a user of our website and services, you are entitled to several important rights concerning your personal information. These rights are designed to give you control over how your data is collected, used, and displayed.
Right to Access
You have the right to request access to any personal information the Property Appraiser’s Office has collected about you. This may include data submitted through online forms, exemption applications, public records interactions, or account activity tied to online tools. Upon request, we will provide a summary of the information we hold, as permitted by law.
Right to Correct
If you believe that any of the personal details we have on file are inaccurate or incomplete, you may request a correction. For example, if there is a clerical error in your property ownership record, contact information, or exemption status, you can submit supporting documentation and we will review and update the data accordingly.
Right to Opt Out
Certain data collection—such as analytics or optional contact form fields—is not mandatory. You have the right to decline to provide optional personal details and to opt out of digital communications, such as newsletters or alerts, by using unsubscribe options or contacting us directly. However, opting out may limit access to specific services or updates.
Right to Redact (If Applicable)
Under Florida Statutes, specific individuals—such as law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and other protected professionals—may request to have their personal identifying information (like home address) redacted from public property records. If you qualify, please submit a formal redaction request along with the required documentation to initiate the process.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This privacy policy is subject to revision as needed. Any updates will be posted on our website with a clear revision date. Users are encouraged to review the policy regularly to stay informed of any changes.
Contact Us with Privacy Questions
If you have questions or concerns about how your data is being used or protected, please reach out to us:
Volusia County Property Appraiser – Main Office
123 W. Indiana Avenue, Room 102
DeLand, FL 32720
📞 Phone: (386) 736-5901
📧 Email: appraiser@volusia.org
We are committed to transparency and accountability in our data handling practices.
By using the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s website or submitting information through our online portals, you consent to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. Our mission is to serve the public with accuracy, fairness, and respect—including respecting your right to privacy.
Let us know how we can help you feel secure and supported while accessing our services.