The Florida Senate

CHAPTER 193

ASSESSMENTS

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS (ss. 193.011-193.155)

PART II

SPECIAL CLASSES OF PROPERTY (ss. 193.441-193.703)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

193.011  Factors to consider in deriving just valuation.

193.015  Additional specific factor; effect of issuance or denial of permit to dredge, fill, or construct in state waters to their landward extent.

193.016  Property appraiser's assessment; effect of determinations by value adjustment board.

193.023  Duties of the property appraiser in making assessments.

193.0235  Ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments against subdivision property.

193.024  Deputy property appraisers.

193.052  Preparation and serving of returns.

193.062  Dates for filing returns.

193.063  Extension of date for filing tangible personal property tax returns.

193.072  Penalties for improper or late filing of returns and for failure to file returns.

193.073  Erroneous returns; estimate of assessment when no return filed.

193.074  Confidentiality of returns.

193.075  Mobile homes and recreational vehicles.

193.077  Notice of new, rebuilt, or expanded property.

193.085  Listing all property.

193.092  Assessment of property for back taxes.

193.102  Lands subject to tax sale certificates; assessments; taxes not extended.

193.114  Preparation of assessment rolls.

193.1142  Approval of assessment rolls.

193.1145  Interim assessment rolls.

193.1147  Performance review panel.

193.116  Municipal assessment rolls.

193.122  Certificates of value adjustment board and property appraiser; extensions on the assessment rolls.

193.132  Prior assessments validated.

193.155  Homestead assessments.

193.011  Factors to consider in deriving just valuation.--In arriving at just valuation as required under s. 4, Art. VII of the State Constitution, the property appraiser shall take into consideration the following factors:

(1)  The present cash value of the property, which is the amount a willing purchaser would pay a willing seller, exclusive of reasonable fees and costs of purchase, in cash or the immediate equivalent thereof in a transaction at arm's length;

(2)  The highest and best use to which the property can be expected to be put in the immediate future and the present use of the property, taking into consideration any applicable judicial limitation, local or state land use regulation, or historic preservation ordinance, and considering any moratorium imposed by executive order, law, ordinance, regulation, resolution, or proclamation adopted by any governmental body or agency or the Governor when the moratorium or judicial limitation prohibits or restricts the development or improvement of property as otherwise authorized by applicable law. The applicable governmental body or agency or the Governor shall notify the property appraiser in writing of any executive order, ordinance, regulation, resolution, or proclamation it adopts imposing any such limitation, regulation, or moratorium;

(3)  The location of said property;

(4)  The quantity or size of said property;

(5)  The cost of said property and the present replacement value of any improvements thereon;

(6)  The condition of said property;

(7)  The income from said property; and

(8)  The net proceeds of the sale of the property, as received by the seller, after deduction of all of the usual and reasonable fees and costs of the sale, including the costs and expenses of financing, and allowance for unconventional or atypical terms of financing arrangements. When the net proceeds of the sale of any property are utilized, directly or indirectly, in the determination of just valuation of realty of the sold parcel or any other parcel under the provisions of this section, the property appraiser, for the purposes of such determination, shall exclude any portion of such net proceeds attributable to payments for household furnishings or other items of personal property.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-250; s. 1, ch. 67-167; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 13, ch. 69-216; s. 8, ch. 70-243; s. 20, ch. 74-234; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 1, ch. 77-363; s. 6, ch. 79-334; s. 1, ch. 88-101; s. 1, ch. 93-132; s. 1, ch. 97-117.

Note.--Former s. 193.021.

193.015  Additional specific factor; effect of issuance or denial of permit to dredge, fill, or construct in state waters to their landward extent.--

(1)  If the Department of Environmental Protection issues or denies a permit to dredge, fill, or otherwise construct in or on waters of the state, as defined in chapter 403, to their landward extent as determined under ¹s. 403.817(2), the property appraiser is expressly directed to consider the effect of that issuance or denial on the value of the property and any limitation that the issuance or denial may impose on the highest and best use of the property to its landward extent.

(2)  The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide the property appraiser of each county in which such property is situated a copy of any final agency action relating to an application for such a permit.

(3)  The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply if:

(a)  The property owner had no reasonable basis for expecting approval of the application for permit; or

(b)  The application for permit was denied because of an incomplete filing, failure to meet an applicable deadline, or failure to comply with administrative or procedural requirements.

History.--s. 3, ch. 84-79; s. 42, ch. 94-356.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 14, ch. 94-122.

193.016  Property appraiser's assessment; effect of determinations by value adjustment board.--If the property appraiser's assessment of the same items of tangible personal property in the previous year was adjusted by the value adjustment board and the decision of the board to reduce the assessment was not successfully appealed by the property appraiser, the property appraiser shall consider the reduced values determined by the value adjustment board in assessing those items of tangible personal property. If the property appraiser adjusts upward the reduced values previously determined by the value adjustment board, the property appraiser shall assert additional basic and underlying facts not properly considered by the value adjustment board as the basis for the increased valuation notwithstanding the prior adjustment by the board.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2000-262.

193.023  Duties of the property appraiser in making assessments.--

(1)  The property appraiser shall complete his or her assessment of the value of all property no later than July 1 of each year, except that the department may for good cause shown extend the time for completion of assessment of all property.

(2)  In making his or her assessment of the value of real property, the property appraiser is required to inspect physically the property every 3 years to ensure that the tax roll meets all the requirements of law. However, the property appraiser shall physically inspect any parcel of taxable real property upon the request of the taxpayer or owner.

(3)  In revaluating property in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements, the property appraiser may adjust the assessed value placed on any parcel or group of parcels based on mass data collected, on ratio studies prepared by an agency authorized by law, or pursuant to regulations of the Department of Revenue.

(4)  In making his or her assessment of leasehold interests in property serving the unit owners of a condominium or cooperative subject to a lease, including property subject to a recreational lease, the property appraiser shall assess the property at its fair market value without regard to the income derived from the lease.

(5)  In assessing any parcel of a condominium or any parcel of any other residential development having common elements appurtenant to the parcels, if such common elements are owned by the condominium association or owned jointly by the owners of the parcels, the assessment shall apply to the parcel and its fractional or proportionate share of the appurtenant common elements.

(6)  In making assessments of cooperative parcels, the property appraiser shall use the method required by s. 719.114.

History.--s. 9, ch. 70-243; s. 1, ch. 72-290; s. 5, ch. 76-222; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 2, ch. 84-261; s. 14, ch. 86-300; s. 1, ch. 88-216; s. 5, ch. 91-223; s. 970, ch. 95-147.

193.0235  Ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments against subdivision property.--

(1)  Ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments shall be assessed against the lots within a platted residential subdivision and not upon the subdivision property as a whole. An ad valorem tax or non-ad valorem assessment, including a tax or assessment imposed by a county, municipality, special district, or water management district, may not be assessed separately against common elements utilized exclusively for the benefit of lot owners within the subdivision, regardless of ownership. The value of each parcel of land that is or has been part of a platted subdivision and that is designated on the plat or the approved site plan as a common element for the exclusive benefit of lot owners shall, regardless of ownership, be prorated by the property appraiser and included in the assessment of all the lots within the subdivision which constitute inventory for the developer and are intended to be conveyed or have been conveyed into private ownership for the exclusive benefit of lot owners within the subdivision.

(2)  As used in this section, the term "common element" includes:

(a)  Subdivision property not included within lots constituting inventory for the developer which are intended to be conveyed or have been conveyed into private ownership.

(b)  An easement through the subdivision property, not including the property described in paragraph (a), which has been dedicated to the public or retained for the benefit of the subdivision.

(c)  Any other part of the subdivision which has been designated on the plat or is required to be designated on the site plan as a drainage pond, or detention or retention pond, for the exclusive benefit of the subdivision.

History.--s. 4, ch. 2003-284.

193.024  Deputy property appraisers.--Property appraisers may appoint deputies to act in their behalf in carrying out the duties prescribed by law.

History.--s. 2, ch. 80-366.

193.052  Preparation and serving of returns.--

(1)  The following returns shall be filed:

(a)  Tangible personal property; and

(b)  Property specifically required to be returned by other provisions in this title.

(2)  No return shall be required for real property the ownership of which is reflected in instruments recorded in the public records of the county in which the property is located, unless otherwise required in this title. In order for land to be considered for agricultural classification under s. 193.461 or high-water recharge classification under s. 193.625, an application for classification must be filed on or before March 1 of each year with the property appraiser of the county in which the land is located, except as provided in s. 193.461(3)(a). The application must state that the lands on January 1 of that year were used primarily for bona fide commercial agricultural or high-water recharge purposes.

(3)  A return for the above types of property shall be filed in each county which is the situs of such property, as set out under s. 192.032.

(4)  All returns shall be completed by the taxpayer in such a way as to correctly reflect the owner's estimate of the value of property owned or otherwise taxable to him or her and covered by such return. All forms used for returns shall be prescribed by the department and delivered to the property appraisers for distribution to the taxpayers.

(5)  Property appraisers may distribute returns in whatever way they feel most appropriate. However, as a minimum requirement, the property appraiser shall requisition, and the department shall distribute, forms in a timely manner so that each property appraiser can and shall make them available in his or her office no later than the first working day of the calendar year.

(6)  The department shall promulgate the necessary regulations to ensure that all railroad and utility property is properly returned in the appropriate county. However, the evaluating or assessing of utility property in each county shall be the duty of the property appraiser.

(7)  A property appraiser may accept a tangible personal property tax return in a form initiated through an electronic data interchange. The department shall prescribe by rule the format and instructions necessary for such filing to ensure that all property is properly listed. The acceptable method of transfer, the method, form, and content of the electronic data interchange, the method by which the taxpayer will be provided with an acknowledgment, and the duties of the property appraiser with respect to such filing shall be prescribed by the department. The department's rules shall provide: a uniform format for all counties; that the format shall resemble form DR-405 as closely as possible; and that adequate safeguards for verification of taxpayers' identities are established to avoid filing by unauthorized persons.

History.--s. 11, ch. 70-243; s. 1, ch. 72-370; s. 1, ch. 73-228; s. 20, ch. 73-334; s. 6, ch. 76-234; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 45, ch. 77-104; s. 7, ch. 79-334; s. 9, ch. 81-308; s. 75, ch. 82-226; s. 1, ch. 84-106; ss. 28, 221, ch. 85-342; s. 63, ch. 89-356; s. 971, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-404; s. 3, ch. 96-204; s. 33, ch. 99-208.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.113, 193.121, 193.203, 193.211, 193.231-193.261, 193.272, 193.281-193.311.

193.062  Dates for filing returns.--All returns shall be filed according to the following schedule:

(1)  Tangible personal property--April 1.

(2)  Real property--when required by specific provision of general law.

(3)  Railroad, railroad terminal, private car and freight line and equipment company property--April 1.

(4)  All other returns and applications not otherwise specified by specific provision of general law--April 1.

History.--s. 12, ch. 70-243; s. 45, ch. 77-104; s. 8, ch. 79-334; s. 9, ch. 81-308.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.203, 193.211.

193.063  Extension of date for filing tangible personal property tax returns.--The property appraiser shall grant an extension for the filing of a tangible personal property tax return for 30 days and may, at her or his discretion, grant an additional extension for the filing of a tangible personal property tax return for up to 15 additional days. A request for extension must be made in time for the property appraiser to consider the request and act on it before the regular due date of the return. However, a property appraiser may not require that a request for extension be made more than 10 days before the due date of the return. A request for extension, at the option of the property appraiser, shall include any or all of the following: the name of the taxable entity, the tax identification number of the taxable entity, and the reason a discretionary extension should be granted.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-98; s. 1463, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 99-239.

193.072  Penalties for improper or late filing of returns and for failure to file returns.--

(1)  The following penalties shall apply:

(a)  For failure to file a return--25 percent of the total tax levied against the property for each year that no return is filed.

(b)  For filing returns after the due date--5 percent of the total tax levied against the property covered by that return for each year, for each month, or portion thereof, that a return is filed after the due date, but not to exceed 25 percent of the total tax.

(c)  For property unlisted on the return--15 percent of the tax attributable to the omitted property.

(d)  For incomplete returns by railroad and railroad terminal companies and private car and freight line and equipment companies--2 percent of the assessed value, not to exceed 10 percent thereof, shall be added to the values apportioned to the counties for each month or fraction thereof in which the return is incomplete; however, the return shall not be deemed incomplete until 15 days after notice of incompleteness is provided to the taxpayer.

(2)  Penalties listed in this section shall be determined upon the total of all ad valorem personal property taxes, penalties and interest levied on the property, and such penalties shall be a lien on the property.

(3)  Failure to file a return, or to otherwise properly submit all property for taxation, shall in no regard relieve any taxpayer of any requirement to pay all taxes assessed against him or her promptly.

(4)  For good cause shown, and upon finding that such unlisting or late filing of returns was not intentional or made with the intent to evade or illegally avoid the payment of lawful taxes, the property appraiser or, in the case of properties valued by the Department of Revenue, the executive director may reduce or waive any of said penalties.

History.--s. 13, ch. 70-243; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 9, ch. 79-334; s. 972, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.203, 193.222, 199.321.

193.073  Erroneous returns; estimate of assessment when no return filed.--

(1)  Upon discovery that an erroneous or incomplete statement of personal property has been filed by a taxpayer or that all the property of a taxpayer has not been returned for taxation, the property appraiser shall proceed as follows:

(a)  If the property is personal property and is discovered before April 1, the property appraiser shall make an assessment in triplicate. After attaching the affidavit and warrant required by law, the property appraiser shall dispose of the additional assessment roll in the same manner as provided by law.

(b)  If the property is personal property and is discovered on or after April 1, or is real property discovered at any time, the property shall be added to the assessment roll then in preparation.

(2)  If no tangible personal property tax return has been filed as required by law, including any extension which may have been granted for the filing of the return, the property appraiser is authorized to estimate from the best information available the assessment of the tangible personal property of a taxpayer who has not properly and timely filed his or her tax return. Such assessment shall be deemed to be prima facie correct, may be included on the tax roll, and taxes may be extended therefor on the tax roll in the same manner as for all other taxes.

History.--s. 38, ch. 4322, 1895; s. 5, ch. 4515, 1897; GS 538; s. 37, ch. 5596, 1907; RGS 737; CGL 945; s. 8, ch. 20722, 1941; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 2, ch. 72-268; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 2, ch. 94-98; s. 1464, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 193.37; s. 197.031.

193.074  Confidentiality of returns.--All returns of property and returns required by s. 201.022 submitted by the taxpayer pursuant to law shall be deemed to be confidential in the hands of the property appraiser, the clerk of the circuit court, the department, the tax collector, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, and their employees and persons acting under their supervision and control, except upon court order or order of an administrative body having quasi-judicial powers in ad valorem tax matters, and such returns are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

History.--s. 10, ch. 79-334; s. 2, ch. 86-300; s. 21, ch. 88-119; s. 38, ch. 90-360; s. 16, ch. 93-132; s. 49, ch. 96-406; s. 47, ch. 2001-266.

193.075  Mobile homes and recreational vehicles.--

(1)  A mobile home shall be taxed as real property if the owner of the mobile home is also the owner of the land on which the mobile home is permanently affixed. A mobile home shall be considered permanently affixed if it is tied down and connected to the normal and usual utilities. However, this provision does not apply to a mobile home, or any appurtenance thereto, that is being held for display by a licensed mobile home dealer or a licensed mobile home manufacturer and that is not rented or occupied. A mobile home that is taxed as real property shall be issued an "RP" series sticker as provided in s. 320.0815.

(2)  A mobile home that is not taxed as real property shall have a current license plate properly affixed as provided in s. 320.08(11). Any such mobile home without a current license plate properly affixed shall be presumed to be tangible personal property.

(3)  A recreational vehicle shall be taxed as real property if the owner of the recreational vehicle is also the owner of the land on which the vehicle is permanently affixed. A recreational vehicle shall be considered permanently affixed if it is connected to the normal and usual utilities and if it is tied down or it is attached or affixed in such a way that it cannot be removed without material or substantial damage to the recreational vehicle. Except when the mode of attachment or affixation is such that the recreational vehicle cannot be removed without material or substantial damage to the recreational vehicle or the real property, the intent of the owner to make the recreational vehicle permanently affixed shall be determinative. A recreational vehicle that is taxed as real property must be issued an "RP" series sticker as provided in s. 320.0815.

(4)  A recreational vehicle that is not taxed as real property must have a current license plate properly affixed as provided in s. 320.08(9). Any such recreational vehicle without a current license plate properly affixed is presumed to be tangible personal property.

History.--s. 2, ch. 74-234; s. 10, ch. 88-216; s. 1, ch. 91-241; s. 6, ch. 93-132; s. 30, ch. 94-353; s. 3, ch. 95-404; s. 1, ch. 98-139.

193.077  Notice of new, rebuilt, or expanded property.--

(1)  The property appraiser shall accept notices on or before April 1 of the year in which the new or additional real or personal property acquired to establish a new business or facilitate a business expansion or restoration is first subject to assessment. The notice shall be filed, on a form prescribed by the department, by any business seeking to qualify for an enterprise zone property tax credit as a new or expanded business pursuant to s. 220.182(4).

(2)  Upon determining that the real or tangible personal property described in the notice is in fact to be incorporated into a new, expanded, or rebuilt business, the property appraiser shall so affirm and certify on the face of the notice and shall provide a copy thereof to the new or expanded business and to the department.

(3)  Within 10 days of extension or recertification of the assessment rolls pursuant to s. 193.122, whichever is later, the property appraiser shall forward to the department a list of all property of new businesses and property separately assessed as expansion-related or rebuilt property pursuant to s. 193.085(5)(a). The list shall include the name and address of the business to which the property is assessed, the assessed value of the property, the total taxes levied against the property, the identifying number for the property as shown on the assessment roll, and a description of the property.

(4)  The provisions of this section shall expire and be void on June 30, 2005.

History.--ss. 4, 10, ch. 80-248; s. 5, ch. 83-204; s. 25, ch. 84-356; s. 63, ch. 94-136; s. 25, ch. 2000-210.

193.085  Listing all property.--

(1)  The property appraiser shall ensure that all real property within his or her county is listed and valued on the real property assessment roll. Streets, roads, and highways which have been dedicated to or otherwise acquired by a municipality, county, or state agency need not, but may, be listed.

(2)  The department shall promulgate such regulations and shall make available maps and mapping materials as it deems necessary to ensure that all real property within the state is listed and valued on the real property assessment rolls of the respective counties. In addition, individual property appraisers may use such other maps and materials as they deem expedient to accomplish the purpose of this section.

(3)(a)  The department will coordinate with all other departments of state government to ensure that the several property appraisers are properly notified annually of state ownership of real property. The department shall promulgate regulations to ensure that all forms of local government, special taxing districts, multicounty districts, and municipalities properly notify annually the several property appraisers of any and all real property owned by any of them so that ownership of all such property will be properly listed.

(b)  Whenever real property is listed on the real property assessment rolls of the respective counties in the name of the State of Florida or any of its agencies, the listing shall not be changed in the absence of a recorded deed executed by the State of Florida or the state agency in whose name the property is listed. If, in preparing the assessment rolls, the several property appraisers within the state become aware of the existence of a recorded deed not executed by the state and purporting to convey real property listed on the assessment rolls as state-owned, the property appraiser shall immediately forward a copy of the recorded deed to the state agency in whose name the property is listed.

(4)  The department shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to ensure that all railroad property of all types is properly listed in the appropriate county and shall submit the county railroad property assessments to the respective county property appraisers not later than June 1 in each year. However, in those counties in which railroad assessments are not completed by the department by June 1, for millage certification purposes, the property appraiser may utilize the prior year's values for such property.

(a)  All railroad and railroad terminal companies maintaining tracks or other fixed assets in the state and subject to assessment under the unit-rule method of valuation shall make an annual return to the Department of Revenue. Such returns shall be filed on or before April 1 and shall be subject to the penalties provided in s. 193.072. The department shall make an annual assessment of all operating property of every description owned by or leased to such companies. Such assessment shall be apportioned to each county, based upon actual situs and, in the case of property not having situs in a particular county, shall be apportioned based upon track miles. Operating property shall include all property owned or leased to such company, including right-of-way presently in use by the company, track, switches, bridges, rolling stock, and other property directly related to the operation of the railroad. Nonoperating property shall include that portion of office buildings not used for operating purposes, property owned but not directly used for the operation of the railroad, and any other property that is not used for operating purposes. The department shall promulgate rules necessary to ensure that all operating property is properly valued, apportioned, and returned to the appropriate county, including rules governing the form and content of returns. The evaluation and assessment of utility property shall be the duty of the property appraiser.

(b)1.  All private car and freight line and equipment companies operating rolling stock in Florida shall make an annual return to the Department of Revenue. The department shall make an annual determination of the average number of cars habitually present in Florida for each company and shall assess the just value thereof.

2.  The department shall promulgate rules respecting the methods of determining the average number of cars habitually present in Florida, the form and content of returns, and such other rules as are necessary to ensure that the property of such companies is properly returned, valued, and apportioned to the state.

3.  For purposes of this paragraph, "operating rolling stock in Florida" means having ownership of rolling stock which enters Florida.

4.  The department shall apportion the assessed value of such property to the local taxing jurisdiction based upon the number of track miles and the location of mainline track of the respective railroads over which the rolling stock has been operated in the preceding year in each taxing jurisdiction. The situs for taxation of such property shall be according to the apportionment.

(c)  The values determined by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be certified to the property appraisers when such values have been finalized by the department. Prior to finalizing the values to be certified to the property appraisers, the department shall provide an affected taxpayer a notice of a proposed assessment and an opportunity for informal conference before the executive director's designee. A property appraiser shall certify to the tax collector for collection the value as certified by the Department of Revenue.

(d)  Returns and information from returns required to be made pursuant to this subsection may be shared pursuant to any formal agreement for the mutual exchange of information with another state.

(e)  In any action challenging final assessed values certified by the department under this subsection, venue is in Leon County.

(5)(a)  Beginning in the year in which a notice of new, rebuilt, or expanded property is accepted and certified pursuant to s. 193.077 and for the 4 years immediately thereafter, the property appraiser shall separately assess the prior existing property and the expansion-related or rebuilt property, if any, of each business having submitted said notice pursuant to s. 220.182(4). The listing of expansion-related or rebuilt property on an assessment roll shall immediately follow the listing of prior existing property for each expanded business. However, beginning with the first assessment roll following receipt of a notice from the department that a business has been disallowed an enterprise zone property tax credit, the property appraiser shall singly list the property of such business.

(b)  The provisions of this subsection shall expire and be void on June 30, 2005.

History.--s. 14, ch. 70-243; s. 2, ch. 73-228; s. 2, ch. 74-234; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 78-269; s. 11, ch. 79-334; s. 9, ch. 80-77; ss. 5, 10, ch. 80-248; s. 26, ch. 84-356; s. 6, ch. 89-174; s. 2, ch. 91-295; s. 64, ch. 94-136; s. 31, ch. 94-353; s. 1465, ch. 95-147; s. 24, ch. 2000-210.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.051, 193.061, 193.071, 193.113, 193.131, 193.272, 193.281.

193.092  Assessment of property for back taxes.--

(1)  When it shall appear that any ad valorem tax might have been lawfully assessed or collected upon any property in the state, but that such tax was not lawfully assessed or levied, and has not been collected for any year within a period of 3 years next preceding the year in which it is ascertained that such tax has not been assessed, or levied, or collected, then the officers authorized shall make the assessment of taxes upon such property in addition to the assessment of such property for the current year, and shall assess the same separately for such property as may have escaped taxation at and upon the basis of valuation applied to such property for the year or years in which it escaped taxation, noting distinctly the year when such property escaped taxation and such assessment shall have the same force and effect as it would have had if it had been made in the year in which the property shall have escaped taxation, and taxes shall be levied and collected thereon in like manner and together with taxes for the current year in which the assessment is made. But no property shall be assessed for more than 3 years' arrears of taxation, and all property so escaping taxation shall be subject to such taxation to be assessed in whomsoever's hands or possession the same may be found, except that property acquired by a bona fide purchaser who was without knowledge of the escaped taxation shall not be subject to assessment for taxes for any time prior to the time of such purchase, but it is the duty of the property appraiser making such assessment to serve upon the previous owner a notice of intent to record in the public records of the county a notice of tax lien against any property owned by that person in the county. Any property owned by such previous owner which is situated in this state is subject to the lien of such assessment in the same manner as a recorded judgment. Before any such lien may be recorded, the owner so notified must be given 30 days to pay the taxes, penalties, and interest. Once recorded, such lien may be recorded in any county in this state and shall constitute a lien on any property of such person in such county in the same manner as a recorded judgment, and may be enforced by the tax collector using all remedies pertaining to same; provided, that the county property appraiser shall not assess any lot or parcel of land certified or sold to the state for any previous years unless such lot or parcel of lands so certified or sold shall be included in the list furnished by the Chief Financial Officer to the county property appraiser as provided by law; provided, if real or personal property be assessed for taxes, and because of litigation delay ensues and the assessment be held invalid the taxing authorities, may reassess such property within the time herein provided after the termination of such litigation; provided further, that personal property acquired in good faith by purchase shall not be subject to assessment for taxes for any time prior to the time of such purchase, but the individual or corporation liable for any such assessment shall continue personally liable for same. As used in this subsection, the term "bona fide purchaser" means a purchaser for value, in good faith, before certification of such assessment of back taxes to the tax collector for collection.

(2)  This section applies to property of every class and kind upon which ad valorem tax is assessable by any state or county authority under the laws of the state.

History.--s. 24, ch. 4322, 1895; s. 1, ch. 4663, 1899; GS 524; s. 22, ch. 5596, 1907; RGS 722; ss. 1, 2, ch. 9180, 1923; CGL 924-926; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 15, ch. 70-243; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 9, ch. 2002-18; s. 174, ch. 2003-261.

Note.--Former ss. 193.23, 193.151.

193.102  Lands subject to tax sale certificates; assessments; taxes not extended.--

(1)  All lands against which the state holds any tax sale certificate or other lien for delinquent taxes assessed for the year 1940 or prior years shall be assessed for the year 1941 and subsequent years in like manner and to the same effect as if no taxes against such lands were delinquent. Should the taxes on such lands not be paid as required by law, such lands shall be sold or the title thereto shall become vested in the county, in like manner and to the same effect as other lands upon which taxes are delinquent are sold or the title to which becomes vested in the county under this law. Such lands upon which tax certificates have been issued to this state, when sold by the county for delinquent taxes, may be redeemed in the manner prescribed by this law; provided, that all tax certificates held by the state on such lands shall be redeemed at the same time, and the clerk of the circuit court shall disburse the money as provided by law. After the title to any such lands against which the state holds tax certificates becomes vested in the county as provided by this law, the county may sell such lands in the same manner as provided in s. 197.592, and the clerk of the circuit court shall distribute the proceeds from the sale of such lands by the board of county commissioners in proportion to the interest of the state, the several taxing units, and the funds of such units, as may be calculated by the clerk.

(2)  The property appraisers, in making up their assessment rolls, shall place thereon the lands upon which taxes have been sold to the county, enter their valuation of the same on the roll, and extend the taxes upon such lands.

History.--s. 16, ch. 4322, 1895; GS 512; s. 13, ch. 5596, 1907; s. 1, ch. 6158, 1911; RGS 712, 769; CGL 914, 984; ss. 4, 23, ch. 20722, 1941; ss. 3¹/₂, 10, ch. 22079, 1943; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 1, ch. 69-300; s. 16, ch. 70-243; s. 32, ch. 73-332; s. 5, ch. 75-103; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 1, ch. 77-174; ss. 205, 221, ch. 85-342.

Note.--Former ss. 193.16, 193.171, 193.63, 193.181.

193.114  Preparation of assessment rolls.--

(1)  Each property appraiser shall prepare the following assessment rolls:

(a)  Real property assessment roll.

(b)  Tangible personal property assessment roll. This roll shall include taxable household goods and all other taxable tangible personal property.

(2)  The department shall promulgate regulations and forms for the preparation of the real property assessment roll to reflect:

(a)  A brief description of the property for purposes of location and, effective January 1, 1996, a market area code established according to department guidelines. However, if a property appraiser uses a neighborhood code, beginning in 1994, the property appraiser shall provide the neighborhood code to the department.

(b)  The just value (using the factors set out in s. 193.011) of all property.

(c)  When property is wholly or partially exempt, a categorization of such exemption.

(d)  When property is classified so that it is assessed other than under s. 193.011, the value according to its classified use and its value as assessed under s. 193.011.

(e)  The owner or fiduciary responsible for payment of taxes on the property, his or her address, and an indication of any fiduciary capacity (such as executor, administrator, trustee, etc.) as appropriate.

(f)  The millage levied on the property.

(g)  The tax, determined by multiplying the millages by the taxable value.

(3)  The department shall promulgate regulations and forms for the preparation of the tangible personal property roll to reflect:

(a)  A code reference to the tax returns showing the property.

(b)  The just value (using the factors set out in s. 193.011) of all such property subject to taxation.

(c)  When property is wholly or partially exempt, a categorization of such exemption.

(d)  The owner or fiduciary responsible for payment of taxes on the property, his or her address, and an indication of any fiduciary capacity (such as executor, administrator, trustee, etc.) as appropriate.

(e)  The millages levied on the property.

(f)  The tax, determined by multiplying the millages by the taxable value.

(4)  The department shall promulgate regulations and forms for the preparation of the intangible personal property roll to comply with chapter 199.

(5)  For every change made to the assessed or taxable value of a parcel on an assessment roll subsequent to the mailing of the notice provided for in s. 200.069, the property appraiser shall document the reason for such change in the public records of the office of the property appraiser in a manner acceptable to the executive director or the executive director's designee. For every change that decreases the assessed or taxable value of a parcel on an assessment roll between the time of complete submission of the tax roll pursuant to s. 193.1142(3) and mailing of the notice provided for in s. 200.069, the property appraiser shall document the reason for such change in the public records of the office of the property appraiser in a manner acceptable to the executive director or the executive director's designee. Changes made by the value adjustment board are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.

(6)  For proprietary purposes, including the furnishing or sale of copies of the tax roll under s. 119.07(1), the property appraiser is the custodian of the tax roll and the copies of it which are maintained by any state agency. The department or any state or local agency may use copies of the tax roll received by it for official purposes and shall permit inspection and examination thereof under s. 119.07(1), but is not required to furnish copies of the records. A social security number submitted under s. 196.011(1) is confidential and exempt from s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and the provisions of s. 119.07(1). A copy of documents containing the numbers furnished or sold by the property appraiser, except a copy furnished to the department, or a copy of documents containing social security numbers provided by the department or any state or local agency for inspection or examination by the public, must exclude those social security numbers.

History.--s. 17, ch. 70-243; ss. 10, 21, ch. 73-172; s. 21, ch. 74-234; s. 1, ch. 77-102; ss. 45, 46, ch. 77-104; s. 8, ch. 80-274; s. 4, ch. 81-308; s. 5, ch. 82-208; ss. 19, 64, 80, ch. 82-226; s. 130, ch. 91-112; s. 2, ch. 93-132; s. 1, ch. 94-130; s. 1466, ch. 95-147; s. 50, ch. 96-406.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.041, 193.051, 193.061, 193.071, 193.113, 193.131, 193.251, 193.261, 193.361-193.381, 193.392.

193.1142  Approval of assessment rolls.--

(1)  Each assessment roll shall be submitted to the executive director of the Department of Revenue for review in the manner and form prescribed by the department on or before July 1. The department shall require the assessment roll submitted under this section to include the social security numbers required under s. 196.011. The roll submitted to the department need not include centrally assessed properties prior to approval under this subsection and subsection (2). Such review by the executive director shall be made to determine if the rolls meet all the appropriate requirements of law relating to form and just value. Upon approval of the rolls by the executive director or his or her designee, the hearings required in s. 194.032 may be held.

(2)(a)  The executive director or his or her designee shall disapprove all or part of any assessment roll of any county not in full compliance with the administrative order of the executive director issued pursuant to the notice called for in s. 195.097 and shall otherwise disapprove all or any part of any roll not assessed in substantial compliance with law, as disclosed during the investigation by the department, including, but not limited to, audits by the Department of Revenue and Auditor General establishing noncompliance.

(b)  If an assessment roll is disapproved under paragraph (a) and the reason for the disapproval is noncompliance due to material mistakes of fact relating to physical characteristics of property, the executive director or his or her designee may issue an administrative order as provided in s. 195.097. In such event, the millage adoption process, extension of tax rolls, and tax collection shall proceed and the interim roll procedures of s. 193.1145 shall not be invoked.

(c)  For purposes of this subsection, "material mistakes of fact" means any and all mistakes of fact relating to physical characteristics of property that, if included in the assessment of property, would result in a deviation or change in assessed value of the parcel of property.

(3)  An assessment roll shall be deemed to be approved if the department has not taken action to disapprove it within 50 days of a complete submission of the rolls by the property appraiser, except as provided in subsection (4). A submission shall be deemed complete if it meets all applicable provisions of law as to form and content; includes, or is accompanied by, all information which was lawfully requested by the department prior to the initial submission date; and is not an interim roll. The department shall notify the property appraiser of an incomplete submission not later than 10 days after receipt thereof.

(4)  The department is authorized to issue a review notice to a county property appraiser within 30 days of a complete submission of the assessment rolls of that county. Such review notice shall be in writing; shall set forth with specificity all reasons relied on by the department as a basis for issuing the review notice; shall specify all supporting data, surveys, and statistical compilations for review; and shall set forth with particularity remedial steps which the department requires the property appraiser to take in order to obtain approval of the tax roll. In the event that such notice is issued:

(a)  The time period of 50 days specified in subsection (3) shall be 60 days after the issuance of the notice.

(b)  The notice required pursuant to s. 200.069 shall not be issued prior to approval of an assessment roll for the county or prior to institution of interim roll procedures under s. 193.1145.

(5)  Whenever an assessment roll submitted to the department is returned to the property appraiser for additional evaluation, a review notice shall be issued for the express purpose of the adjustment provided in s. 200.065(10).

(6)  In no event shall a formal determination by the department pursuant to this section be made later than 90 days after the first complete submission of the rolls by the county property appraiser.

(7)  Approval or disapproval of all or any part of a roll shall not be deemed to be final until the procedures instituted under s. 195.092 have been exhausted.

(8)  Chapter 120 does not apply to this section.

History.--s. 5, ch. 82-208; ss. 19, 80, ch. 82-226; s. 54, ch. 83-217; s. 20, ch. 83-349; s. 1, ch. 84-164; s. 3, ch. 86-190; s. 1, ch. 87-318; s. 131, ch. 91-112; s. 3, ch. 93-132; ss. 43, 73, ch. 94-353; s. 31, ch. 95-145; s. 1467, ch. 95-147.

193.1145  Interim assessment rolls.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that no undue restraint shall be placed on the ability of local government to finance its activities in a timely and orderly fashion, and, further, that just and uniform valuations for all parcels shall not be frustrated if the attainment of such valuations necessitates delaying a final determination of assessments beyond the normal 12-month period. Toward these ends, the Legislature hereby provides a method for levying and collecting ad valorem taxes which may be used if:

(a)  The property appraiser has been granted an extension of time for completion of the assessment of all property pursuant to s. 193.023(1) beyond September 1 or has not certified value pursuant to s. 200.065(1) by August 1; or

(b)  All or part of the assessment roll of a county is disapproved pursuant to s. 193.1142;

provided a local taxing authority brings a civil action in the circuit court for the county in which relief is sought and the court finds that there will be a substantial delay in the final determination of assessments, which delay will substantially impair the ability of the authority to finance its activities. Such action may be filed on or after July 1. Upon such a determination, the court may order the use of the last approved roll, adjusted to the extent practicable to reflect additions, deletions, and changes in ownership, parcel configuration, and exempt status, as the interim roll when the action was filed under paragraph (a), or may order the use of the current roll as the interim roll when the action was filed under paragraph (b). When the action was filed under paragraph (a), certification of value pursuant to s. 200.065(1) shall be made immediately following such determination by the court. When the action was filed under paragraph (b), the procedures required under s. 200.065 shall continue based on the original certification of value. However, if the property appraiser recommends that interim roll procedures be instituted and the governing body of the county does not object and if conditions of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) apply, such civil action shall not be required. The property appraiser shall notify the department and each taxing authority within his or her jurisdiction prior to instituting interim roll procedures without a court order.

(2)  The taxing authority shall, in its name as plaintiff, initiate action for relief under this section by filing an "Application for Implementation of an Interim Assessment Roll" in the circuit court. The property appraiser and the executive director of the Department of Revenue shall be named as the defendants when the action is filed. The court shall set an immediate hearing and give the case priority over other pending cases. When the disapproval of all or any part of the assessment roll is contested, the court shall sever this issue from the proceeding and transfer it to the Circuit Court in and for Leon County for a determination.

(3)(a)  If the court so finds as provided in subsection (1), the property appraiser shall prepare and extend taxes against the interim assessment roll. The extension of taxes shall occur within 60 days of disapproval of all or part of the assessment roll, or by November 15, in the event that the assessment roll has not been submitted to the department pursuant to s. 193.1142; however, in no event shall taxes be extended before the hearing and notice procedures required in s. 200.065 have been completed.

(b)  Upon authorization to use an interim assessment roll, the property appraiser shall so advise the taxing units within his or her jurisdiction. The millage rates adopted at the hearings held pursuant to s. 200.065(2)(d) shall be considered provisional millage rates and shall apply only to valuations shown on the interim assessment roll. Such taxing units shall certify such rates to the property appraiser.

(4)  All provisions of law applicable to millage rates and limitations thereon shall apply to provisional millage rates, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(5)  Upon extension, the property appraiser shall certify the interim assessment roll to the tax collector and shall notify the tax collector and the clerk of the circuit court that such roll is provisional and that ultimate tax liability on the property is subject to a final determination. The tax collector and the clerk of the circuit court shall be responsible for posting notices to this effect in conspicuous places within their respective offices. The property appraiser shall ensure that such notice appears conspicuously on the printed interim roll.

(6)  The tax collector shall prepare and mail provisional tax bills to the taxpayers based upon interim assessments and provisional millage rates, which bills shall be subject to all provisions of law applicable to the collection and distribution of ad valorem taxes, except as otherwise provided in this section. These bills shall be clearly marked "PROVISIONAL--THIS IS NOT A FINAL TAX BILL"; shall be accompanied by an explanation of the possibility of a supplemental tax bill or refund based upon the tax roll as finally approved, pursuant to subsection (7); and shall further explain that the total amount of taxes collected by each taxing unit shall not be increased when the roll is finally approved.

(7)  Upon approval of the assessment roll by the executive director, and after certification of the assessment roll by the value adjustment board pursuant to s. 193.122(2), the property appraiser shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (11), recompute each provisional millage rate of the taxing units within his or her jurisdiction, so that the total taxes levied when each recomputed rate is applied against the approved roll are equal to those of the corresponding provisional rate applied against the interim roll. Each recomputed rate shall be considered the official millage levy of the taxing unit for the tax year in question. The property appraiser shall notify each taxing unit as to the value of the recomputed or official millage rate.

(8)(a)  Upon recomputation, the property appraiser shall extend taxes against the approved roll and shall prepare a reconciliation between the interim and approved assessment rolls. For each parcel, the reconciliation shall show provisional taxes levied, final taxes levied, and the difference thereof.

(b)  The property appraiser shall certify such reconciliation to the tax collector, unless otherwise authorized pursuant to paragraph (d), which reconciliation shall contain sufficient information for the preparation of supplemental bills or refunds.

(c)  Upon receipt of such reconciliation, the tax collector shall prepare and mail to the taxpayers either supplemental bills, due and collectible in the same manner as bills issued pursuant to chapter 197, or refunds in the form of county warrants. However, no bill shall be issued or considered due and owing, and no refund shall be authorized, if the amount thereof is less than $10. Approval by the Department of Revenue shall not be required for refunds made pursuant to this section.

(d)  However, the court, upon a determination that the amount to be supplementally billed and refunded is insufficient to warrant a separate billing or that the length of time until the next regular issuance of ad valorem tax bills is similarly insufficient, may authorize the tax collector to withhold issuance of supplemental bills and refunds until issuance of the next year's tax bills. At that time, the amount due or the refund amount shall be added to or subtracted from the amount of current taxes due on each parcel, provided that the current tax and the prior year's tax or refund shall be shown separately on the bill. Alternatively, at the option of the tax collector, separate bills and statements of refund may be issued.

(e)  Any tax bill showing supplemental taxes due or a refund due, or any warrant issued as a refund, shall be accompanied by an explanatory notice in substantially the following form:

NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL BILL
OR REFUND
OF PROPERTY TAXES


Property taxes for  (year)  were based upon a temporary assessment roll, to allow time for a more accurate determination of property values. Reassessment work has now been completed and final tax liability for  (year)  has been recomputed for each taxpayer. BY LAW, THE REASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY AND RECOMPUTATION OF TAXES WILL NOT INCREASE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TAXES COLLECTED BY EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT. However, if your property was relatively underassessed on the temporary roll, you owe additional taxes. If your property was relatively overassessed, you will receive a partial refund of taxes. If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact your county tax collector's office.

(9)  Any person objecting to an interim assessment placed on any property taxable to him or her may request an informal conference with the property appraiser, pursuant to s. 194.011(2), or may seek judicial review of the interim property assessment. However, petitions to the value adjustment board shall not be filed or heard with respect to interim assessments. All provisions of law applicable to objections to assessments shall apply to the final approved assessment roll. The department shall adopt by rule procedures for notifying taxpayers of their final approved assessments and of the time period for filing petitions.

(10)(a)  Delinquent provisional taxes on real property shall not be subject to the delinquent tax provisions of chapter 197 until such time as the assessment roll is reconciled, supplemental bills are issued, and taxes on the property remain delinquent. However, delinquent provisional taxes on real property shall accrue interest at an annual rate of 12 percent, computed in accordance with s. 197.172. Interest accrued on provisional taxes shall be added to the taxes, interest, costs, and charges due with respect to final taxes levied. When interest begins to accrue on delinquent provisional taxes, the property owner shall be given notice by first-class mail.

(b)  Delinquent provisional taxes on personal property shall be subject to all applicable provisions of chapter 197.

(11)  A recomputation of millage rates under this section shall not reduce or increase the total of all revenues available from state or local sources to a school district or to a unit of local government as defined in part II of chapter 218. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (7), the provisional millage rates levied by a multicounty taxing authority against an interim roll shall not be recomputed, but shall be considered the official or final tax rate for the year in question; and the interim roll shall be considered the final roll for each such taxing authority. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (7), millage rates adopted by vote of the electors pursuant to s. 9(b) or s. 12, Art. VII of the State Constitution shall not be recomputed.

(12)  The property appraiser shall follow a reasonable and expeditious timetable in completing a roll in compliance with the requirements of law. In the event of noncompliance, the executive director may seek any judicial or administrative remedy available to him or her under law to secure such compliance.

(13)  For the purpose of this section, the terms "roll," "assessment roll," and "interim assessment roll" mean the rolls for real, personal, and centrally assessed property.

(14)  Chapter 120 shall not apply to this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 80-261; s. 5, ch. 80-274; s. 7, ch. 82-208; ss. 2, 21, 34, 80, ch. 82-226; ss. 206, 221, ch. 85-342; s. 139, ch. 91-112; s. 973, ch. 95-147; s. 28, ch. 95-280.

193.1147  Performance review panel.--If there occurs within any 4-year period the final disapproval of all or any part of a county roll pursuant to s. 193.1142 for 2 separate years, the Governor shall appoint a three-member performance review panel. The panel shall investigate the circumstances surrounding such disapprovals and the general performance of the property appraiser. If the panel finds unsatisfactory performance, the property appraiser shall be ineligible for the designation and special qualification salary provided in s. 145.10(2). Within not less than 12 months, the property appraiser may requalify therefor, provided he or she successfully recompletes the courses and examinations applicable to new candidates.

History.--s. 8, ch. 80-377; s. 8, ch. 82-208; ss. 22, 80, ch. 82-226; s. 974, ch. 95-147.

193.116  Municipal assessment rolls.--

(1)  The county property appraiser shall prepare an assessment roll for every municipality in the county. The value adjustment board shall give notice to the chief executive officer of each municipality whenever an appeal has been taken with respect to property located within that municipality. Representatives of that municipality shall be given an opportunity to be heard at such hearing. The property appraiser shall deliver each assessment roll to the appropriate municipality in the same manner as assessment rolls are delivered to the county commissions. The governing body of the municipality shall have 30 days to certify all millages to the county property appraiser. The county property appraiser shall extend the millage against the municipal assessment roll. The property appraiser shall certify the municipal tax roll to the county tax collector for collection in the same manner as the county tax roll is certified for collection. The property appraiser shall deliver to each municipality a copy of the municipal tax roll.

(2)  The county tax collector shall collect all ad valorem taxes for municipalities within the county. He or she shall collect municipal taxes in the same manner as county taxes.

History.--s. 3, ch. 74-234; s. 1, ch. 76-133; s. 2, ch. 76-140; ss. 207, 221, ch. 85-342; s. 1, ch. 90-343; s. 140, ch. 91-112; s. 975, ch. 95-147.

193.122  Certificates of value adjustment board and property appraiser; extensions on the assessment rolls.--

(1)  The value adjustment board shall certify each assessment roll upon order of the board of county commissioners pursuant to s. 197.323, if applicable, and again after all hearings required by s. 194.032 have been held. These certificates shall be attached to each roll as required by the Department of Revenue.

(2)  After the first certification of the tax rolls by the value adjustment board, the property appraiser shall make all required extensions on the rolls to show the tax attributable to all taxable property. Upon completion of these extensions, and upon satisfying himself or herself that all property is properly taxed, the property appraiser shall certify the tax rolls and shall within 1 week thereafter publish notice of the date and fact of extension and certification in a periodical meeting the requirements of s. 50.011 and publicly display a notice of the date of certification in the office of the property appraiser. The property appraiser shall also supply notice of the date of the certification to any taxpayer who requests one in writing. These certificates and notices shall be made in the form required by the department and shall be attached to each roll as required by the department by regulation.

(3)  When the tax rolls have been extended pursuant to s. 197.323, the second certification of the value adjustment board shall reflect all changes made by the board together with any adjustments or changes made by the property appraiser. Upon such certification, the property appraiser shall recertify the tax rolls with all changes to the collector and shall provide public notice of the date and fact of recertification pursuant to subsection (2).

(4)  An appeal of a value adjustment board decision pursuant to s. 194.036(1)(a) or (b) by the property appraiser shall be filed prior to extension of the tax roll under subsection (2) or, if the roll was extended pursuant to s. 197.323, within 30 days of recertification under subsection (3). The roll may be certified by the property appraiser prior to an appeal being filed pursuant to s. 194.036(1)(c), but such appeal shall be filed within 20 days after receipt of the decision of the department relative to further judicial proceedings.

(5)  The department shall promulgate regulations to ensure that copies of the tax rolls are distributed to the appropriate officials and maintained as part of their records for as long as is necessary to provide for the orderly collection of taxes. Such regulations shall also provide for the maintenance of the necessary permanent copies of such rolls.

(6)  The property appraiser may extend millage as required in subsection (2) against the assessment roll and certify it to the tax collector even though there are parcels subject to judicial or administrative review pursuant to s. 194.036(1). Such parcels shall be certified and have taxes extended against them in accordance with the decisions of the value adjustment board or the property appraiser's valuation if the roll has been extended pursuant to s. 197.323, except that payment of such taxes by the taxpayer shall not preclude the taxpayer from being required to pay additional taxes in accordance with final judicial determination of an appeal filed pursuant to s. 194.036(1).

(7)  Each assessment roll shall be submitted to the executive director of the department in the manner and form prescribed by the department within 1 week after extension and certification to the tax collector and again after recertification to the tax collector, if applicable. When the provisions of s. 193.1145 are exercised, the requirements of this subsection shall apply upon extension pursuant to s. 193.1145(3)(a) and again upon reconciliation pursuant to s. 193.1145(8)(a).

History.--s. 18, ch. 70-243; s. 1, ch. 71-371; s. 9, ch. 73-172; s. 4, ch. 74-234; s. 2, ch. 76-133; s. 5, ch. 76-234; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 14, ch. 82-226; s. 2, ch. 82-388; ss. 3, 26, ch. 83-204; s. 55, ch. 83-217; ss. 208, 221, ch. 85-342; s. 141, ch. 91-112; s. 976, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Consolidation of provisions of former ss. 193.401-193.421.

193.132  Prior assessments validated.--Every assessment of taxes heretofore made on property of any kind, when such assessment has been actually made in the name of the true owner, is hereby validated. No tax assessment or tax levy made upon any such property shall be held invalid by reason of or because of the subsequent amendment in the law.

History.--s. 1, ch. 10023, 1925; CGL 927; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 19, ch. 70-243.

Note.--Former ss. 192.32, 193.341.

193.155  Homestead assessments.--Homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994. Property receiving the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year in which the property receives the exemption.

(1)  Beginning in 1995, or the year following the year the property receives homestead exemption, whichever is later, the property shall be reassessed annually on January 1. Any change resulting from such reassessment shall not exceed the lower of the following:

(a)  Three percent of the assessed value of the property for the prior year; or

(b)  The percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(2)  If the assessed value of the property as calculated under subsection (1) exceeds the just value, the assessed value of the property shall be lowered to the just value of the property.

(3)  Except as provided in this subsection, property assessed under this section shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year following a change of ownership. Thereafter, the annual changes in the assessed value of the property are subject to the limitations in subsections (1) and (2). For the purpose of this section, a change in ownership means any sale, foreclosure, or transfer of legal title or beneficial title in equity to any person, except as provided in this subsection. There is no change of ownership if:

(a)  Subsequent to the change or transfer, the same person is entitled to the homestead exemption as was previously entitled and:

1.  The transfer of title is to correct an error; or

2.  The transfer is between legal and equitable title;

(b)  The transfer is between husband and wife, including a transfer to a surviving spouse or a transfer due to a dissolution of marriage;

(c)  The transfer occurs by operation of law under s. 732.4015; or

(d)  Upon the death of the owner, the transfer is between the owner and another who is a permanent resident and is legally or naturally dependent upon the owner.

(4)(a)  Changes, additions, or improvements to homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after the changes, additions, or improvements are substantially completed.

(b)  Changes, additions, or improvements do not include replacement of a portion of real property damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity when the just value of the damaged or destroyed portion as replaced is not more than 125 percent of the just value of the damaged or destroyed portion. The value of any replaced real property, or portion thereof, which is in excess of 125 percent of the just value of the damaged or destroyed property shall be deemed to be a change, addition, or improvement. Replaced real property with a just value of less than 100 percent of the original property's just value shall be assessed pursuant to subsection (5).

(c)  Changes, additions, or improvements include improvements made to common areas or other improvements made to property other than to the homestead property by the owner or by an owner association, which improvements directly benefit the homestead property. Such changes, additions, or improvements shall be assessed at just value, and the just value shall be apportioned among the parcels benefiting from the improvement.

(5)  When property is destroyed or removed and not replaced, the assessed value of the parcel shall be reduced by the assessed value attributable to the destroyed or removed property.

(6)  Only property that receives a homestead exemption is subject to this section. No portion of property that is assessed solely on the basis of character or use pursuant to s. 193.461 or s. 193.501, or assessed pursuant to s. 193.505, is subject to this section. When property is assessed under s. 193.461, s. 193.501, or s. 193.505 and contains a residence under the same ownership, the portion of the property consisting of the residence and curtilage must be assessed separately, pursuant to s. 193.011, for the assessment to be subject to the limitation in this section.

(7)  If a person received a homestead exemption limited to that person's proportionate interest in real property, the provisions of this section apply only to that interest.

(8)  Erroneous assessments of homestead property assessed under this section may be corrected in the following manner:

(a)  If errors are made in arriving at any assessment under this section due to a material mistake of fact concerning an essential characteristic of the property, the just value and assessed value must be recalculated for every such year, including the year in which the mistake occurred.

(b)  If changes, additions, or improvements are not assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after they were substantially completed, the property appraiser shall determine the just value for such changes, additions, or improvements for the year they were substantially completed. Assessments for subsequent years shall be corrected, applying this section if applicable.

(c)  If back taxes are due pursuant to s. 193.092, the corrections made pursuant to this subsection shall be used to calculate such back taxes.

(9)  If the property appraiser determines that for any year or years within the prior 10 years a person who was not entitled to the homestead property assessment limitation granted under this section was granted the homestead property assessment limitation, the property appraiser making such determination shall record in the public records of the county a notice of tax lien against any property owned by that person in the county, and such property must be identified in the notice of tax lien. Such property that is situated in this state is subject to the unpaid taxes, plus a penalty of 50 percent of the unpaid taxes for each year and 15 percent interest per annum. However, when a person entitled to exemption pursuant to s. 196.031 inadvertently receives the limitation pursuant to this section following a change of ownership, the assessment of such property must be corrected as provided in paragraph (8)(a), and the person need not pay the unpaid taxes, penalties, or interest.

History.--s. 62, ch. 94-353; s. 5, ch. 2001-137.

PART II

SPECIAL CLASSES OF PROPERTY

193.441  Legislative intent; findings and declaration.

193.451  Annual growing of agricultural crops, nonbearing fruit trees, nursery stock; taxability.

193.461  Agricultural lands; classification and assessment; mandated eradication or quarantine program.

193.462  Agricultural lands; annual application process; extenuating circumstances; waivers.

193.481  Assessment of mineral, oil, gas, and other subsurface rights.

193.501  Assessment of lands subject to a conservation easement, environmentally endangered lands, or lands used for outdoor recreational or park purposes when land development rights have been conveyed or conservation restrictions have been covenanted.

193.503  Classification and assessment of historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes.

193.505  Assessment of historically significant property when development rights have been conveyed or historic preservation restrictions have been covenanted.

193.621  Assessment of pollution control devices.

193.623  Assessment of building renovations for accessibility to the physically handicapped.

193.625  High-water recharge lands; classification and assessment.

193.6255  Applicability of duties of property appraisers and clerks of the court pursuant to high-water recharge areas.

193.703  Reduction in assessment for living quarters of parents or grandparents.

193.441  Legislative intent; findings and declaration.--

(1)  For the purposes of assessment roll preparation and recordkeeping, it is the legislative intent that any assessment for tax purposes which is less than the just value of the property shall be considered a classified use assessment and reported accordingly.

(2)  The Legislature finds that Florida's groundwater is among the state's most precious and basic natural resources. The Legislature further finds that it is in the interest of the state to protect its groundwater from pollution, overutilization, and other degradation because groundwater is the primary source of potable water for 90 percent of Floridians. The Legislature declares that it is in the public interest to allow county governments the flexibility to implement voluntary tax assessment programs that protect the state's high-water recharge areas.

History.--s. 12, ch. 79-334; s. 1, ch. 96-204.

193.451  Annual growing of agricultural crops, nonbearing fruit trees, nursery stock; taxability.--

(1)  Growing annual agricultural crops, nonbearing fruit trees, and nursery stock, regardless of the growing methods, shall be considered as having no ascertainable value and shall not be taxable until they have reached maturity or a stage of marketability and have passed from the hands of the producer and/or offered for sale. This section shall be construed liberally in favor of the taxpayer.

(2)  Raw, annual, agricultural crops shall be considered to have no ascertainable value and shall not be taxable until such property is offered for sale to the consumer.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 63-432; s. 1, ch. 67-573; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55.

Note.--Former s. 192.063.

193.461  Agricultural lands; classification and assessment; mandated eradication or quarantine program.--

(1)  The property appraiser shall, on an annual basis, classify for assessment purposes all lands within the county as either agricultural or nonagricultural.

(2)  Any landowner whose land is denied agricultural classification by the property appraiser may appeal to the value adjustment board. The property appraiser shall notify the landowner in writing of the denial of agricultural classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed. The notification shall advise the landowner of his or her right to appeal to the value adjustment board and of the filing deadline. The board may also review all lands classified by the property appraiser upon its own motion. The property appraiser shall have available at his or her office a list by ownership of all applications received showing the acreage, the full valuation under s. 193.011, the valuation of the land under the provisions of this section, and whether or not the classification requested was granted.

(3)(a)  No lands shall be classified as agricultural lands unless a return is filed on or before March 1 of each year. The property appraiser, before so classifying such lands, may require the taxpayer or the taxpayer's representative to furnish the property appraiser such information as may reasonably be required to establish that such lands were actually used for a bona fide agricultural purpose. Failure to make timely application by March 1 shall constitute a waiver for 1 year of the privilege herein granted for agricultural assessment. However, an applicant who is qualified to receive an agricultural classification who fails to file an application by March 1 may file an application for the classification and may file, pursuant to s. 194.011(3), a petition with the value adjustment board requesting that the classification be granted. The petition may be filed at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice by the property appraiser as provided in s. 194.011(1). Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 194.013, the applicant must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 upon filing the petition. Upon reviewing the petition, if the person is qualified to receive the classification and demonstrates particular extenuating circumstances judged by the property appraiser or the value adjustment board to warrant granting the classification, the property appraiser or the value adjustment board may grant the classification. The owner of land that was classified agricultural in the previous year and whose ownership or use has not changed may reapply on a short form as provided by the department. The lessee of property may make original application or reapply using the short form if the lease, or an affidavit executed by the owner, provides that the lessee is empowered to make application for the agricultural classification on behalf of the owner and a copy of the lease or affidavit accompanies the application. A county may, at the request of the property appraiser and by a majority vote of its governing body, waive the requirement that an annual application or statement be made for classification of property within the county after an initial application is made and the classification granted by the property appraiser. Such waiver may be revoked by a majority vote of the governing body of the county.

(b)  Subject to the restrictions set out in this section, only lands which are used primarily for bona fide agricultural purposes shall be classified agricultural. "Bona fide agricultural purposes" means good faith commercial agricultural use of the land. In determining whether the use of the land for agricultural purposes is bona fide, the following factors may be taken into consideration:

1.  The length of time the land has been so utilized;

2.  Whether the use has been continuous;

3.  The purchase price paid;

4.  Size, as it relates to specific agricultural use;

5.  Whether an indicated effort has been made to care sufficiently and adequately for the land in accordance with accepted commercial agricultural practices, including, without limitation, fertilizing, liming, tilling, mowing, reforesting, and other accepted agricultural practices;

6.  Whether such land is under lease and, if so, the effective length, terms, and conditions of the lease; and

7.  Such other factors as may from time to time become applicable.

(c)  The maintenance of a dwelling on part of the lands used for agricultural purposes shall not in itself preclude an agricultural classification.

(d)  When property receiving an agricultural classification contains a residence under the same ownership, the portion of the property consisting of the residence and curtilage must be assessed separately, pursuant to s. 193.011, to qualify for the assessment limitation set forth in s. 193.155. The remaining property may be classified under the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b).

(e)  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), land that has received an agricultural classification from the value adjustment board or a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to this section is entitled to receive such classification in any subsequent year until such agricultural use of the land is abandoned or discontinued, the land is diverted to a nonagricultural use, or the land is reclassified as nonagricultural pursuant to subsection (4). The property appraiser must, no later than January 31 of each year, provide notice to the owner of land that was classified agricultural in the previous year informing the owner of the requirements of this paragraph and requiring the owner to certify that neither the ownership nor the use of the land has changed. The department shall, by administrative rule, prescribe the form of the notice to be used by the property appraiser under this paragraph. If a county has waived the requirement that an annual application or statement be made for classification of property pursuant to paragraph (a), the county may, by a majority vote of its governing body, waive the notice and certification requirements of this paragraph and shall provide the property owner with the same notification provided to owners of land granted an agricultural classification by the property appraiser. Such waiver may be revoked by a majority vote of the county's governing body. This paragraph does not apply to any property if the agricultural classification of that property is the subject of current litigation.

(4)(a)  The property appraiser shall reclassify the following lands as nonagricultural:

1.  Land diverted from an agricultural to a nonagricultural use.

2.  Land no longer being utilized for agricultural purposes.

3.  Land that has been zoned to a nonagricultural use at the request of the owner subsequent to the enactment of this law.

(b)  The board of county commissioners may also reclassify lands classified as agricultural to nonagricultural when there is contiguous urban or metropolitan development and the board of county commissioners finds that the continued use of such lands for agricultural purposes will act as a deterrent to the timely and orderly expansion of the community.

(c)  Sale of land for a purchase price which is three or more times the agricultural assessment placed on the land shall create a presumption that such land is not used primarily for bona fide agricultural purposes. Upon a showing of special circumstances by the landowner demonstrating that the land is to be continued in bona fide agriculture, this presumption may be rebutted.

(5)  For the purpose of this section, "agricultural purposes" includes, but is not limited to, horticulture; floriculture; viticulture; forestry; dairy; livestock; poultry; bee; pisciculture, when the land is used principally for the production of tropical fish; aquaculture; sod farming; and all forms of farm products and farm production.

(6)(a)  In years in which proper application for agricultural assessment has been made and granted pursuant to this section, the assessment of land shall be based solely on its agricultural use. The property appraiser shall consider the following use factors only:

1.  The quantity and size of the property;

2.  The condition of the property;

3.  The present market value of the property as agricultural land;

4.  The income produced by the property;

5.  The productivity of land in its present use;

6.  The economic merchantability of the agricultural product; and

7.  Such other agricultural factors as may from time to time become applicable, which are reflective of the standard present practices of agricultural use and production.

(b)  Notwithstanding any provision relating to annual assessment found in s. 192.042, the property appraiser shall rely on 5-year moving average data when utilizing the income methodology approach in an assessment of property used for agricultural purposes.

(c)1.  For purposes of the income methodology approach to assessment of property used for agricultural purposes, irrigation systems, including pumps and motors, physically attached to the land shall be considered a part of the average yields per acre and shall have no separately assessable contributory value.

2.  Litter containment structures located on producing poultry farms and animal waste nutrient containment structures located on producing dairy farms shall be assessed by the methodology described in subparagraph 1.

(d)  In years in which proper application for agricultural assessment has not been made, the land shall be assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011.

(7)  Lands classified for assessment purposes as agricultural lands which are taken out of production by any state or federal eradication or quarantine program shall continue to be classified as agricultural lands for the duration of such program. Lands under these programs which are converted to fallow, or otherwise nonincome-producing uses shall continue to be classified as agricultural lands and shall be assessed at a de minimis value of no more than $50 per acre, on a single year assessment methodology; however, lands converted to other income-producing agricultural uses permissible under such programs shall be assessed pursuant to this section. Land under a mandated eradication or quarantine program which is diverted from an agricultural to a nonagricultural use shall be assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011.

History.--s. 1, ch. 59-226; s. 1, ch. 67-117; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 1, ch. 72-181; s. 4, ch. 74-234; s. 3, ch. 76-133; s. 15, ch. 82-208; ss. 10, 80, ch. 82-226; s. 1, ch. 85-77; s. 3, ch. 86-300; s. 23, ch. 90-217; ss. 132, 142, ch. 91-112; s. 63, ch. 94-353; s. 1468, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 95-404; s. 1, ch. 98-313; s. 1, ch. 99-351; s. 3, ch. 2000-308; s. 4, ch. 2001-279; s. 15, ch. 2002-18; s. 2, ch. 2003-162; s. 43, ch. 2003-254.

193.462  Agricultural lands; annual application process; extenuating circumstances; waivers.--

(1)  For purposes of granting an agricultural classification for January 1, 2003, the term "extenuating circumstances," as used in s. 193.461(3)(a), includes the failure of a property owner in a county that waived the annual application process to return the agricultural classification form or card, which return was required by operation of s. 193.461(3)(e), as created by chapter 2002-18, Laws of Florida.

(2)  Any waiver of the annual application granted under s. 193.461(3)(a), which is in effect on December 31, 2002, shall remain in full force and effect until subsequently revoked as provided by s. 193.461(3)(a).

History.--s. 3, ch. 2003-162; s. 44, ch. 2003-254.

193.481  Assessment of mineral, oil, gas, and other subsurface rights.--

(1)  Whenever the mineral, oil, gas, and other subsurface rights in or to real property in this state shall have been sold or otherwise transferred by the owner of such real property, or retained or acquired through reservation or otherwise, such subsurface rights shall be taken and treated as an interest in real property subject to taxation separate and apart from the fee or ownership of the fee or other interest in the fee. Such mineral, oil, gas, and other subsurface rights, when separated from the fee or other interest in the fee, shall be subject to separate taxation. Such taxation shall be against such subsurface interest and not against the owner or owners thereof or against separate interests or rights in or to such subsurface rights.

(2)  The property appraiser shall, upon request of the owner of real property who also owns mineral, oil, gas, or other subsurface mineral rights to the same property, separately assess the subsurface mineral right and the remainder of the real estate as separate items on the tax roll.

(3)  Such subsurface rights shall be assessed on the basis of a just valuation, as required by s. 4, Art. VII of the State Constitution, which valuation, when combined with the value of the remaining surface and undisposed of subsurface interests, shall not exceed the full just value of the fee title of the lands involved, including such subsurface rights.

(4)  Statutes and regulations, not in conflict with the provisions herein, relating to the assessment and collection of ad valorem taxes on real property, shall apply to the separate assessment and taxation of such subsurface rights, insofar as they may be applied.

(5)  Tax certificates and tax liens encumbering subsurface rights, as aforesaid, may be acquired, purchased, transferred, and enforced as are tax certificates and tax liens encumbering real property generally, including the issuance of a tax deed.

(6)  Nothing contained in chapter 69-60, Laws of Florida, amending subsections (1) and (3) of this section and creating former s. 197.083 shall be construed to affect any contractual obligation existing on June 4, 1969.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 57-150; s. 1, ch. 63-355; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-60; s. 13, ch. 69-216; s. 2, ch. 71-105; ss. 33, 35, ch. 73-332; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 29, ch. 95-280.

Note.--Former s. 193.221.

193.501  Assessment of lands subject to a conservation easement, environmentally endangered lands, or lands used for outdoor recreational or park purposes when land development rights have been conveyed or conservation restrictions have been covenanted.--

(1)  The owner or owners in fee of any land subject to a conservation easement as described in s. 704.06(1); land qualified as environmentally endangered pursuant to paragraph (6)(i) and so designated by formal resolution of the governing board of the municipality or county within which such land is located; land designated as conservation land in a comprehensive plan adopted by the appropriate municipal or county governing body; or any land which is utilized for outdoor recreational or park purposes may, by appropriate instrument, for a term of not less than 10 years:

(a)  Convey the development right of such land to the governing board of any public agency in this state within which the land is located, or to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or to a charitable corporation or trust as described in s. 704.06(3); or

(b)  Covenant with the governing board of any public agency in this state within which the land is located, or with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or with a charitable corporation or trust as described in s. 704.06(3), that such land be subject to one or more of the conservation restrictions provided in s. 704.06(1) or not be used by the owner for any purpose other than outdoor recreational or park purposes.

(2)  The governing board of any public agency in this state, or the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or a charitable corporation or trust as described in s. 704.06(3), is authorized and empowered in its discretion to accept any and all instruments conveying the development right of any such land or establishing a covenant pursuant to subsection (1), and if accepted by the board or charitable corporation or trust, the instrument shall be promptly filed with the appropriate officer for recording in the same manner as any other instrument affecting the title to real property.

(3)  When, pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), the development right in real property has been conveyed to the governing board of any public agency of this state, to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or to a charitable corporation or trust as described in s. 704.06(2), or a covenant has been executed and accepted by the board or charitable corporation or trust, the lands which are the subject of such conveyance or covenant shall be thereafter assessed as provided herein:

(a)  If the covenant or conveyance extends for a period of not less than 10 years from January 1 in the year such assessment is made, the property appraiser, in valuing such land for tax purposes, shall consider no factors other than those relative to its value for the present use, as restricted by any conveyance or covenant under this section.

(b)  If the covenant or conveyance extends for a period less than 10 years, the land shall be assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011, recognizing the nature and length thereof of any restriction placed on the use of the land under the provisions of subsection (1).

(4)  After making a conveyance of the development right or executing a covenant pursuant to this section, or conveying a conservation easement pursuant to this section and s. 704.06, the owner of the land shall not use the land in any manner not consistent with the development right voluntarily conveyed, or with the restrictions voluntarily imposed, or with the terms of the conservation easement or shall not change the use of the land from outdoor recreational or park purposes during the term of such conveyance or covenant without first obtaining a written instrument from the board or charitable corporation or trust, which instrument reconveys all or part of the development right to the owner or releases the owner from the terms of the covenant and which instrument must be promptly recorded in the same manner as any other instrument affecting the title to real property. Upon obtaining approval for reconveyance or release, the reconveyance or release shall be made to the owner upon payment of the deferred tax liability. Any payment of the deferred tax liability shall be payable to the county tax collector within 90 days of the date of approval by the board or charitable corporation or trust of the reconveyance or release. The collector shall distribute the payment to each governmental unit in the proportion that its millage bears to the total millage levied on the parcel for the years in which such conveyance or covenant was in effect.

(5)  The governing board of any public agency or the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or a charitable corporation or trust which holds title to a development right pursuant to this section may not convey that development right to anyone other than the governing board of another public agency or a charitable corporation or trust, as described in s. 704.06(3), or the record owner of the fee interest in the land to which the development right attaches. The conveyance from the governing board of a public agency or the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to the owner of the fee shall be made only after a determination by the board that such conveyance would not adversely affect the interest of the public. Section 125.35 does not apply to such sales, but any public agency accepting any instrument conveying a development right pursuant to this section shall forthwith adopt appropriate regulations and procedures governing the disposition of same. These regulations and procedures must provide in part that the board may not convey a development right to the owner of the fee without first holding a public hearing and unless notice of the proposed conveyance and the time and place at which the public hearing is to be held is published once a week for at least 2 weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the county involved prior to the hearing.

(6)  The following terms whenever used as referred to in this section have the following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

(a)  "Board" is the governing board of any city, county, or other public agency of the state or the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.

(b)  "Conservation restriction" means a limitation on a right to the use of land for purposes of conserving or preserving land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, open, agricultural, or wooded condition. The limitation on rights to the use of land may involve or pertain to any of the activities enumerated in s. 704.06(1).

(c)  "Conservation easement" means that property right described in s. 704.06.

(d)  "Covenant" is a covenant running with the land.

(e)  "Deferred tax liability" means an amount equal to the difference between the total amount of taxes that would have been due in March in each of the previous years in which the conveyance or covenant was in effect if the property had been assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011 and the total amount of taxes actually paid in those years when the property was assessed under the provisions of this section, plus interest on that difference computed as provided in s. 212.12(3).

(f)  "Development right" is the right of the owner of the fee interest in the land to change the use of the land.

(g)  "Outdoor recreational or park purposes" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, boating, golfing, camping, swimming, horseback riding, and archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites and applies only to land which is open to the general public.

(h)  "Present use" is the manner in which the land is utilized on January 1 of the year in which the assessment is made.

(i)  "Qualified as environmentally endangered" means land that has unique ecological characteristics, rare or limited combinations of geological formations, or features of a rare or limited nature constituting habitat suitable for fish, plants, or wildlife, and which, if subject to a development moratorium or one or more conservation easements or development restrictions appropriate to retaining such land or water areas predominantly in their natural state, would be consistent with the conservation, recreation and open space, and, if applicable, coastal protection elements of the comprehensive plan adopted by formal action of the local governing body pursuant to s. 163.3161, the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act; or surface waters and wetlands, as determined by the methodology ratified in s. 373.4211.

(7)(a)  The property appraiser shall report to the department showing the just value and the classified use value of property that is subject to a conservation easement under s. 704.06, property assessed as environmentally endangered land pursuant to this section, and property assessed as outdoor recreational or park land.

(b)  The tax collector shall annually report to the department the amount of deferred tax liability collected pursuant to this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 67-528; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; s. 2, ch. 72-181; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 1, ch. 78-354; s. 2, ch. 84-253; s. 29, ch. 85-55; s. 2, ch. 86-44; s. 39, ch. 93-206; s. 3, ch. 94-122; s. 43, ch. 94-356.

Note.--Former s. 193.202.

193.503  Classification and assessment of historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes.--

(1)  Pursuant to s. 4(d), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the board of county commissioners of a county or the governing authority of a municipality may adopt an ordinance providing for assessment of historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes as described in this section solely on the basis of character or use as provided in this section. Such character or use assessment shall apply only to the jurisdiction adopting the ordinance. The board of county commissioners or municipal governing authority shall notify the property appraiser of the adoption of such ordinance no later than December 1 of the year prior to the year such assessment will take effect. If such assessment is granted only for a specified period or the ordinance is repealed, the board of county commissioners or municipal governing authority shall notify the property appraiser no later than December 1 of the year prior to the year the assessment expires.

(2)  If an ordinance is adopted as described in subsection (1), the property appraiser shall, for assessment purposes, annually classify any eligible property as historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes, for purposes of the taxes levied by the governing body or authority adopting the ordinance. For all other purposes, the property shall be assessed pursuant to s. 193.011.

(3)  No property shall be classified as historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes unless a return is filed on or before March 1 of each year. The property appraiser, before so classifying such property, may require the taxpayer or the taxpayer's representative to furnish the property appraiser such information as may reasonably be required to establish that such property was actually used as required by this section. Failure to make timely application by March 1 shall constitute a waiver for 1 year of the privilege herein granted for such assessment.

(4)  Any property classified and assessed as historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes pursuant to this section must meet all of the following criteria:

(a)  The property must be used for commercial purposes or used by a not-for-profit organization under s. 501(c)(3) or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(b)  The property must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as defined in s. 267.021; or must be a contributing property to a National Register Historic District; or must be designated as a historic property or as a contributing property to a historic district, under the terms of a local preservation ordinance.

(c)  The property must be regularly open to the public; that is, it must be open for a minimum of 40 hours per week for 45 weeks per year or an equivalent of 1,800 hours per year.

(d)  The property must be maintained in good repair and condition to the extent necessary to preserve the historic value and significance of the property.

(5)  In years in which proper application for assessment has been made and granted pursuant to this section, the assessment of such historic property shall be based solely on its use for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes. The property appraiser shall consider the following use factors only:

(a)  The quantity and size of the property.

(b)  The condition of the property.

(c)  The present market value of the property as historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes.

(d)  The income produced by the property.

(6)  In years in which proper application for assessment has not been made under this section, the property shall be assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011 for all purposes.

(7)  Any property owner who is denied classification under this section may appeal to the value adjustment board. The property appraiser shall notify the property owner in writing of the denial of such classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed. The notification shall advise the property owner of his or her right to appeal to the value adjustment board and of the filing deadline. The board may also review all property classified by the property appraiser upon its own motion. The property appraiser shall have available at his or her office a list by ownership of all applications received showing the full valuation under s. 193.011, the valuation of the property under the provisions of this section, and whether or not the classification requested was granted.

(8)  For the purposes of assessment roll preparation and recordkeeping, the property appraiser shall report the assessed value of property qualified for the assessment pursuant to this section as its "classified use value" and shall annually determine and report as "just value" the fair market value of such property, irrespective of any negative impact that restrictions imposed or conveyances made pursuant to this section may have had on such value.

(9)(a)  After qualifying for and being granted the classification and assessment pursuant to this section, the owner of the property shall not use the property in any manner not consistent with the qualifying criteria. If the historic designation status or the use of the property changes or if the property fails to meet the other qualifying criteria for the classification and assessment, the property owner shall be liable for the amount of taxes equal to the "deferred tax liability" for up to the past 10 years in which the property received the use classification and assessment pursuant to this section. The governmental taxing unit shall determine the time period for which the deferred tax liability is due. A written instrument from the governmental taxing unit shall be promptly recorded in the same manner as any other instrument affecting the title to real property. A release of the written instrument shall be made to the owner upon payment of the deferred tax liability.

(b)  For purposes of this subsection, "deferred tax liability" means an amount equal to the difference between the total amount of taxes that would have been due in March if the property had been assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011 and the total amount of taxes actually paid in those years when the property was assessed under the provisions of this section, plus interest on that difference computed as provided in s. 212.12(3).

(c)  Any payment of the deferred tax liability shall be payable to the county tax collector within 90 days after the date of the change in classification. The collector shall distribute the payment to each governmental unit where the classification and assessment was allowed in the proportion that its millage bears to the total millage levied on the parcel for the years in which such classification and assessment was in effect.

(d)  The tax collector shall annually report to the department the amount of deferred tax liability collected pursuant to this section.

History.--s. 2, ch. 97-117.

193.505  Assessment of historically significant property when development rights have been conveyed or historic preservation restrictions have been covenanted.--

(1)  The owner or owners in fee of any improved real property qualified as historically significant pursuant to paragraph (6)(a), and so designated by formal resolution of the governing body of the county within which the property is located, may by appropriate instrument:

(a)  Convey all rights to develop the property to the governing body of the county in which such property is located; or

(b)  Enter into a covenant running with the land for a term of not less than 10 years with the governing body of the county in which the property is located that the property shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with historic preservation or the historic qualities of the property.

(2)(a)  The governing body of each county is authorized and empowered in its discretion, subject to the provisions of paragraph (6)(b), to accept any instrument conveying a development right or establishing a covenant pursuant to subsection (1); and, if such instrument is accepted by the governing body, it shall be promptly filed with the appropriate officer for recording in the same manner as any other instrument affecting title to real property.

(b)  Before accepting any instrument pursuant to this section, the governing body of the county shall seek the counsel and advice of the governing body of the municipality in which the property lies, if any, as to the merit of such acceptance.

(3)  When, pursuant to this section, the development right in historically significant property has been conveyed to the governing body of the county or a covenant for historic preservation has been executed and accepted by such body, the real property subject to such conveyance or covenant shall be assessed at fair market value; however, the appraiser shall recognize the nature and length of the restriction placed on the use of the property under the provisions of the conveyance or covenant.

(4)(a)  During the unexpired term of a covenant executed pursuant to this section, the owner of the property subject thereto shall not use the property in any manner inconsistent with historic preservation or the historic character of the property without first obtaining a written instrument from the governing body of the county releasing the owner from the terms of the covenant. Such instrument shall be promptly recorded in the same manner as any other instrument affecting the title to real property. Upon obtaining the approval of the board for release, the property will be subject to a deferred tax liability. The release shall be made to the owner upon payment of the deferred tax liability. Any payment of the deferred tax liability shall be payable to the county tax collector within 90 days of the date of approval of the release by the board. The tax collector shall distribute the payment to each governmental unit in the proportion that its millage bears to the total millage levied on the parcel for the years in which the covenant was in effect.

(b)  After a covenant executed pursuant to this section has expired, the property previously subject to the covenant will be subject to a deferred tax liability, payable as provided in paragraph (a), within 90 days of the date of such expiration.

(5)  The governing body of any county which holds title to a development right pursuant to this section shall not convey that right to anyone and shall not exercise that right in any manner inconsistent with historic preservation. No property for which the development right has been conveyed to the governing body of the county shall be used for any purpose inconsistent with historic preservation or the historic qualities of the property.

(6)(a)  Improved real property shall be qualified as historically significant only if:

1.  The property is listed on the national register of historic places pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. s. 470; or is within a certified locally ordinanced district pursuant to s. 48(g)(3)(B)(ii), Internal Revenue Code; or has been found to be historically significant in accordance with the intent of and for purposes of this section by the Division of Historical Resources existing under chapter 267, or any successor agency, or by the historic preservation board existing under chapter 266, if any, in the jurisdiction of which the property lies; and

2.  The owner of the property has applied to such division or board for qualification pursuant to this section.

(b)  It is the legislative intent that property be qualified as historically significant pursuant to paragraph (a) only when it is of such unique or rare historic character or significance that a clear and substantial public benefit is provided by virtue of its preservation.

(7)  A covenant executed pursuant to this section shall, at a minimum, contain the following restrictions:

(a)  No use shall be made of the property which in the judgment of the covenantee or the division or board is inconsistent with the historic qualities of the property.

(b)  In any restoration or repair of the property, the architectural features of the exterior shall be retained consistent with the historic qualities of the property.

(c)  The property shall not be permitted to deteriorate and shall be maintained in good repair and condition to the extent necessary to preserve the historic value and significance of the property.

(d)  The covenant shall include provisions for periodic access by the public to the property.

(8)  For the purposes of this section, the term "deferred tax liability" means an amount equal to the difference between the total amount of taxes which would have been due in March in each of the previous years in which a covenant executed and accepted pursuant to this section was in effect if the property had been assessed under the provisions of s. 193.011 irrespective of any negative impact on fair market value that restrictions imposed pursuant to this section may have caused and the total amount of taxes actually paid in those years, plus interest on that difference computed as provided in s. 212.12(3).

(9)(a)  For the purposes of assessment roll preparation and recordkeeping, the property appraiser shall report the assessed value of property subject to a conveyance or covenant pursuant to this section as its "classified use value" and shall annually determine and report as "just value" the fair market value of such property irrespective of any negative impact that restrictions imposed or conveyances made pursuant to this section may have had on such value.

(b)  The property appraiser shall annually report to the department the just value and classified use value of property for which the development right has been conveyed separately from such values for property subject to a covenant.

(c)  The tax collector shall annually report to the department the amount of deferred tax liability collected pursuant to this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 84-253; s. 8, ch. 86-163.

193.621  Assessment of pollution control devices.--

(1)  If it becomes necessary for any person, firm or corporation owning or operating a manufacturing or industrial plant or installation to construct or install a facility, as is hereinafter defined, in order to eliminate or reduce industrial air or water pollution, any such facility or facilities shall be deemed to have value for purposes of assessment for ad valorem property taxes no greater than its market value as salvage. Any facility as herein defined heretofore constructed shall be assessed in accordance with this section.

(2)  If the owner of any manufacturing or industrial plant or installation shall find it necessary in the control of industrial contaminants to demolish and reconstruct that plant or installation in whole or part and the property appraiser determines that such demolition or reconstruction does not substantially increase the capacity or efficiency of such plant or installation or decrease the unit cost of production, then in that event, such demolition or reconstruction shall not be deemed to increase the value of such plant or installation for ad valorem tax assessment purposes.

(3)  The terms "facility" or "facilities" as used in this section shall be deemed to include any device, fixture, equipment, or machinery used primarily for the control or abatement of pollution or contaminants from manufacturing or industrial plants or installations, but shall not include any public or private domestic sewerage system or treatment works.

(4)  Any taxpayer claiming the right of assessments for ad valorem taxes under the provisions of this law shall so state in a return filed as provided by law giving a brief description of the facility. The property appraiser may require the taxpayer to produce such additional evidence as may be necessary to establish taxpayer's right to have such properties classified hereunder for assessments.

(5)  If a property appraiser is in doubt whether a taxpayer is entitled, in whole or in part, to an assessment under this section, he or she may refer the matter to the Department of Environmental Protection for a recommendation. If the property appraiser so refers the matter, he or she shall notify the taxpayer of such action. The Department of Environmental Protection shall immediately consider whether or not such taxpayer is so entitled and certify its recommendation to the property appraiser.

(6)  The Department of Environmental Protection shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the application of the tax assessment provisions of this section for the consideration of the several county property appraisers of this state. Such rules and regulations shall be distributed to the several county property appraisers of this state.

History.--s. 25, ch. 67-436; ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-55; ss. 21, 26, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 13, ch. 69-216; s. 2, ch. 71-137; s. 33, ch. 71-355; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 47, ch. 77-104; s. 4, ch. 79-65; s. 44, ch. 94-356; s. 1469, ch. 95-147; s. 20, ch. 2000-158; s. 1, ch. 2000-210.

Note.--Former s. 403.241.

193.623  Assessment of building renovations for accessibility to the physically handicapped.--Any taxpayer who renovates an existing building or facility owned by such taxpayer in order to permit physically handicapped persons to enter and leave such building or facility or to have effective use of the accommodations and facilities therein shall, for the purpose of assessment for ad valorem tax purposes, be deemed not to have increased the value of such building more than the market value of the materials used in such renovation, valued as salvage materials. "Building or facility" shall mean only a building or facility, or such part thereof, as is intended to be used, and is used, by the general public. The renovation required in order to entitle a taxpayer to the benefits of this section must include one or more of the following: the provision of ground level or ramped entrances and washroom and toilet facilities accessible to, and usable by, physically handicapped persons.

History.--s. 1, ch. 76-144.

193.625  High-water recharge lands; classification and assessment.--

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 193.461, the property appraiser shall annually classify for assessment purposes all lands within a county choosing to have a high-water recharge protection tax assessment program as either agricultural, nonagricultural, or high-water recharge. The classification applies only to taxes levied by the counties and municipalities adopting an ordinance under subsection (5).

(2)  Any landowner whose land is within a county that has a high-water recharge protection tax assessment program and whose land is denied high-water recharge classification by the property appraiser may appeal to the value adjustment board. The property appraiser shall notify the landowner in writing of the denial of high-water recharge classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed. The notification must advise the landowner of a right to appeal to the value adjustment board and of the filing deadline. The board may also review all lands classified by the property appraiser upon its own motion. The property appraiser shall have available at her or his office a list by ownership of all applications received showing the acreage, the full valuation under s. 193.011, the valuation of the land under the provisions of this section, and whether or not the classification requested was granted.

(3)(a)  Lands may not be classified as high-water recharge lands unless a return is filed on or before March 1 of each year. The property appraiser, before so classifying the lands, may require the taxpayer or the taxpayer's representative to furnish the property appraiser such information as may reasonably be required to establish that the lands were actually used for a bona fide high-water recharge purpose. Failure to make timely application by March 1 constitutes a waiver for 1 year of the privilege granted for high-water recharge assessment. The owner of land that was classified high-water recharge in the previous year and whose ownership or use has not changed may reapply on a short form as provided by the department. A county may, at the request of the property appraiser and by a majority vote of its governing body, waive the requirement that an annual application or statement be made for classification of property within the county after an initial application is made and the classification granted.

(b)  Subject to the restrictions set out in this section, only lands that are used primarily for bona fide high-water recharge purposes may be classified as high-water recharge. The term "bona fide high-water recharge purposes" means good faith high-water recharge use of the land. In determining whether the use of the land for high-water recharge purposes is bona fide, the following factors apply:

1.  The land use must have been continuous.

2.  The land use must be vacant residential, vacant commercial, vacant industrial, vacant institutional, nonagricultural, or single-family residential. The maintenance of one single-family residential dwelling on part of the land does not in itself preclude a high-water recharge classification.

3.  The land must be located within a prime groundwater recharge area established in accordance with s. 373.0395 or in an area considered by the appropriate water management district to supply significant groundwater recharge. Significant groundwater recharge shall be assessed by the appropriate water management district on the basis of hydrologic characteristics of the soils and underlying geologic formations.

4.  The land must not be receiving any other special classification.

5.  There must not be in the vicinity of the land any activity that has the potential to contaminate the ground water, including, but not limited to, the presence of:

a.  Toxic or hazardous substances;

b.  Free-flowing saline artesian wells;

c.  Drainage wells;

d.  Underground storage tanks; or

e.  Any potential pollution source existing on a property that drains to the property seeking the high-water recharge classification.

6.  The owner of the property has entered into a contract with the county as provided in subsection (5).

7.  The parcel of land must be at least 10 acres.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the property appraiser shall use the best available information on the high-water recharge characteristics of lands when making a final determination to grant or deny an application for high-water recharge assessment for the lands.

(4)  The provisions of this section do not constitute a basis for zoning restrictions.

(5)(a)  In years in which proper application for high-water recharge assessment has been made and granted under this section, for purposes of taxes levied by the county, the assessment of the land must be based on the formula adopted by the county as provided in paragraph (b).

(b)  Counties that choose to have a high-water recharge protection tax assessment program must adopt by ordinance a formula for determining the assessment of properties classified as high-water recharge property and a method of contracting with property owners who wish to be involved in the program.

(c)  The contract must include a provision that the land assessed as high-water recharge land will be used primarily for bona fide high-water recharge purposes for a period of at least 5 years, as determined by the county, from January 1 of the year in which the assessment is made. Violation of the contract results in the property owner being subject to the payment of the difference between the total amount of taxes actually paid on the property and the amount of taxes which would have been paid in each previous year the contract was in effect if the high-water recharge assessment had not been used.

(d)  A municipality located in any county that adopts an ordinance under paragraph (a) may adopt an ordinance providing for the assessment of land located in the incorporated areas in accordance with the county's ordinance.

(e)  Property owners whose land lies within an area determined to be a high-water recharge area must not be required to have their land assessed according to the high-water recharge classification.

(f)  In years in which proper application for high-water recharge assessment has not been made, the land must be assessed under s. 193.011.

History.--s. 2, ch. 96-204; s. 27, ch. 97-96; s. 25, ch. 97-236.

193.6255  Applicability of duties of property appraisers and clerks of the court pursuant to high-water recharge areas.--The amendments to ss. 193.625 and 194.037 by this act, insofar as they impose duties on property appraisers and on clerks of the court, apply only to the unincorporated area within those counties that adopt an ordinance under s. 193.625(5). A municipality located in any county that adopts such an ordinance may include all eligible property for high-water recharge classification by ordinance adopted by the municipality's governing body.

History.--s. 9, ch. 96-204.

193.703  Reduction in assessment for living quarters of parents or grandparents.--

(1)  In accordance with s. 4(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution, a county may provide for a reduction in the assessed value of homestead property which results from the construction or reconstruction of the property for the purpose of providing living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive parents or grandparents of the owner of the property or of the owner's spouse if at least one of the parents or grandparents for whom the living quarters are provided is at least 62 years of age.

(2)  A reduction may be granted under subsection (1) only to the owner of homestead property where the construction or reconstruction is consistent with local land development regulations.

(3)  A reduction in assessment which is granted under this section applies only to construction or reconstruction that occurred after the effective date of this section to an existing homestead and applies only during taxable years during which at least one such parent or grandparent maintains his or her primary place of residence in such living quarters within the homestead property of the owner.

(4)  Such a reduction in assessment may be granted only upon an application filed annually with the county property appraiser. The application must be made before March 1 of the year for which the reduction is to be granted. If the property appraiser is satisfied that the property is entitled to a reduction in assessment under this section, the property appraiser shall approve the application, and the value of such residential improvements shall be excluded from the value of the property for purposes of ad valorem taxation. The value excluded may not exceed the lesser of the following:

(a)  The increase in assessed value resulting from construction or reconstruction of the property; or

(b)  Twenty percent of the total assessed value of the property as improved.

(5)  If the owner of homestead property for which such a reduction in assessed value has been granted is found to have made any willfully false statement in the application for the reduction, the reduction shall be revoked, the owner is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000, and the owner shall be disqualified from receiving any such reduction for a period of 5 years.

(6)  When the property owner no longer qualifies for the reduction in assessed value for living quarters of parents or grandparents, the previously excluded just value of such improvements as of the first January 1 after the improvements were substantially completed shall be added back to the assessed value of the property.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2002-226.