At the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office (PCPAO), we are committed to maintaining your trust and protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, manage, and safeguard the information you provide while using our website or interacting with our office.
While most property information is public under Florida law, we strive to ensure that your personal data is handled with transparency, integrity, and in accordance with applicable laws.
Public Records and Florida’s Sunshine Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. According to the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes):
- All government records are presumed to be open to the public unless exempted by law.
- Most property-related information (e.g., ownership, values, sales, and parcel maps) is available online and viewable by any member of the public.
This means that your property records, assessments, exemptions, and related data may be accessible through our website or upon request. However, personal identifiers like Social Security numbers, driver’s license details, or bank information are protected and never publicly disclosed.
What Information We Collect
We may collect two main types of information:
Public Property Data
This includes:
- Parcel numbers
- Property addresses
- Ownership history
- Assessed and market values
- Sales data
- Building characteristics
- Exemption statuses
This data is collected as part of the public record and is used for tax assessment purposes.
Voluntarily Provided Personal Information
When you interact with our office, we may collect certain personal details to process services. These include:
- Your name, phone number, and email address (if you submit a contact form)
- Residency documents or ID copies (when applying for exemptions)
- Business details (for Tangible Personal Property filings)
This data is only used for the intended administrative purpose and is not shared or sold to third parties.
Website Usage and Cookies
When you visit pcpao.gov, we may collect non-identifying technical data to improve your experience. This may include:
- Your browser type and version
- Device type and screen resolution
- Referring website or search engine
- IP address (used for general analytics)
We use this data to:
- Monitor website traffic
- Improve site performance and usability
- Troubleshoot access or display issues
We do not use cookies to track personal behavior or target advertisements. All analytics are anonymous and aggregated.
How We Use and Protect Your Information
Your personal data is handled with the utmost care and in compliance with state law.
Our practices include:
- Secure Servers: All data submitted via our website is transmitted using encryption protocols (HTTPS).
- Limited Internal Access: Only authorized staff have access to sensitive personal data.
- No Selling or Sharing: We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to outside parties.
- Retention Policies: We retain information only as long as necessary for official records and compliance.
Exemptions & Protected Personal Information
Florida law allows certain individuals to request the redaction of their personal identifying information from public records. This includes:
- Law enforcement officers
- Judges and prosecutors
- Victims of crimes
- Certain government employees
To request a redaction, eligible individuals must submit a formal written request and supporting documentation to the PCPAO.
Learn more about redaction procedures on our Confidentiality Request page.
Third-Party Links and External Services
Our website may contain links to other government agencies or related third-party services, such as:
- Pinellas County Tax Collector
- Clerk of the Circuit Court
- GIS Mapping Systems
Please note:
- These external websites are governed by their own privacy policies.
- We are not responsible for how these websites collect or use your information.
We recommend reviewing the privacy practices of any third-party site you visit.
Email, Forms & Online Inquiries
If you send us an email or submit an inquiry via an online form:
- The information becomes part of the public record.
- Your email address may be subject to public disclosure unless specifically exempted by law.
For questions involving confidential or sensitive information, we recommend contacting our office by phone or in person.
Children’s Privacy
Our services and website are intended for general audiences and not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If a parent or guardian believes that their child has submitted personal information, they should contact our office so we can promptly delete it.
Updates to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect:
- Changes in Florida law
- Updates to website functionality
- Improved security protocols
The last update to this policy was made on: June 23, 2025
Contact Us About Privacy
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us:
Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office
315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
📞 Phone: (727) 464-3207
📧 Email: pcpao@pcpao.gov
🌐 Website: www.pcpao.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that privacy is important, especially when dealing with personal or property-related information. To help clarify how we handle your data, the following FAQs address some of the most common concerns from residents, property owners, and professionals. Whether you’re curious about how public records work or want to know how your personal details are protected, this section is here to provide straightforward answers and build your confidence in how we manage your information.
Is my personal property information private?
Most property-related information is public under Florida law. However, sensitive personal identifiers (e.g., SSNs) are always kept private.
Can I have my address or name removed from the property database?
If you qualify under state law (e.g., law enforcement personnel), you can request a redaction by submitting proper documentation.
Does PCPAO share my information with other agencies?
Only when required by law or when necessary to process your request. We never sell or distribute personal data for marketing.
Is the website safe to use?
Yes. All website communications are secured using HTTPS encryption. We regularly update our systems to maintain safety.
Will I be tracked while using the PCPAO website?
No. We collect basic, non-identifiable analytics data for performance purposes. We do not track your personal behavior or browsing history.