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Terms & Conditions – Washington County Property Appraiser

Welcome to the official website of the Washington County Property Appraiser. These Terms & Conditions outline the rules and guidelines for accessing and using our website and its services. By visiting, browsing, or interacting with any part of our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these terms. These terms apply to all users, including the general public, government agencies, and professionals seeking property-related information. If you do not agree with any portion of these Terms & Conditions, we advise that you refrain from using the site.

Acceptance of Terms

This section explains the binding nature of these Terms & Conditions and how they apply to all users of the Washington County Property Appraiser website. By visiting, accessing, or using our website in any way, you are agreeing to these terms in full.

Agreement to Use

By accessing or using the Washington County Property Appraiser website (https://washingtoncountypropertyappraiser.org), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. This agreement applies regardless of whether you are a casual visitor, a public user seeking property information, or an individual interacting through tools like forms or calculators provided on the site.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the user) and the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office. If you do not accept these terms, in whole or in part, you must refrain from using the website and any associated services immediately.

Updates to Terms

The Washington County Property Appraiser reserves the right to update, modify, or revise these Terms & Conditions at any time and without prior notice. Changes may be made for various reasons, including but not limited to compliance with legal updates, technological changes, service improvements, or policy adjustments.

All revisions will be reflected on this page, and the date of the last update will be clearly posted at the bottom of the Terms & Conditions. We encourage you to review this section regularly to remain informed of any changes. Continued use of the site means you acknowledge the updates.

Continued Use Constitutes Acceptance

By continuing to access or use the website after any changes have been posted, you signify your acceptance of the revised Terms & Conditions. If you disagree with any modifications or additions, your sole remedy is to discontinue using the website.

It is your responsibility to regularly review the Terms & Conditions and ensure that your use of the site remains in compliance. Failure to comply may result in restricted access or legal implications based on the nature of misuse or violation.

Website Usage Guidelines

The Washington County Property Appraiser website is designed to provide public access to property-related data, resources, and services in a transparent and efficient manner. To ensure fair and lawful usage, all users must adhere to the following guidelines when accessing or interacting with our site.

Permitted Uses

The information and services provided on this website are intended for personal, non-commercial, and informational purposes. This includes:

  • Looking up property records for research or inquiry
  • Understanding property appraisal methods and exemption eligibility
  • Downloading forms or using provided tools (such as tax estimators) for individual use
  • Accessing public records for educational, civic, or government-related reasons

Users may utilize the site’s features in accordance with applicable laws and without infringing on the rights of others or compromising the site’s integrity.

Prohibited Activities

To preserve the functionality and legal standing of our services, certain activities are explicitly forbidden on this website. These include:

No Unauthorized Data Scraping

You may not use automated tools (including bots, spiders, scripts, or crawlers) to systematically extract or harvest data from this website. Unauthorized data scraping can overwhelm servers, disrupt services, and violate the legal protections governing public records.

No Commercial Use Without Permission

All content on this website—including property data, maps, forms, and written content—is protected by applicable copyright and public information laws. You may not reproduce, redistribute, or repurpose any content for commercial purposes without obtaining prior written consent from the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Examples of prohibited commercial use include:

  • Republishing property data on a paid access site
  • Selling or licensing downloaded datasets
  • Incorporating information into commercial apps, marketing campaigns, or third-party services

No Misrepresentation of Affiliation

Users are strictly prohibited from falsely claiming an affiliation or endorsement by the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office. This includes:

  • Misusing our name, logo, or branding
  • Implying partnerships, authority, or official roles without consent
  • Creating misleading representations in digital or printed content

Such misrepresentation may result in legal action and/or access restrictions.

User Responsibilities

As a user of this website, you agree to:

  • Use the site in a lawful and respectful manner
  • Avoid interfering with the site’s normal operation or attempting to bypass security features
  • Refrain from attempting unauthorized access to restricted areas, administrative panels, or protected databases
  • Respect privacy laws and data regulations, especially when accessing or referencing property ownership or exemption information

Misuse of the site or failure to comply with these guidelines may result in denial of access, legal consequences, or both.

Intellectual Property Rights

The content made available through the Washington County Property Appraiser website is protected by applicable intellectual property laws, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, and state and federal information access regulations. Users must respect and comply with these rights while interacting with or using the website’s content and features.

Ownership of Content

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website is the exclusive property of the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office or its authorized content managers. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Written material and public notices
  • Website design, layout, and user interface elements
  • Images, icons, logos, and graphics
  • Interactive tools such as calculators, maps, and search utilities
  • Downloadable forms, reports, and data sets

These materials are protected under United States copyright laws and international intellectual property treaties. Unauthorized use or reproduction may result in legal action.

Use of Website Materials

We encourage users to access and use the information provided on this website for personal, educational, or government-related purposes, provided it is done in compliance with the following conditions:

Restrictions on Republishing

You may not reproduce, redistribute, transmit, display, or modify website content in any form—whether digital, printed, or broadcast—without the prior written consent of the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Examples of restricted republishing include:

  • Posting our content on a commercial or third-party website
  • Incorporating our maps, data, or analysis tools into external software
  • Republishing entire pages or sections without consent

Such actions are considered violations of copyright and may be pursued legally.

Attribution Requirements

If you are referencing or quoting small portions of this website’s content in compliance with “fair use” standards, you must include proper attribution. Attribution should clearly state the source as:

“Source: Washington County Property Appraiser official website (https://[insert website URL])”

You may not present our content in a misleading context or imply endorsement or authorship of your work by the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Limitation of Liability & Disclaimers

The Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office provides this website as a public resource to offer information related to property appraisal, exemptions, parcel data, and tax-related services. However, the content and tools available on this website are provided “as is” and without any express or implied warranties.

No Warranty on Accuracy or Completeness

While every effort is made to maintain accurate, current, and reliable information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content displayed on this website. Data may be subject to change without notice due to legislative updates, administrative revisions, or database synchronization issues.
Users are encouraged to verify information directly with official departments or contact our office for confirmation before making decisions based on online content.

Use at Your Own Risk

By accessing or using the website, you acknowledge and accept that you do so at your own risk. The Washington County Property Appraiser and its staff, contractors, or affiliates shall not be held liable for any loss, injury, damage, or inconvenience caused by reliance on information from this website. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Financial decisions based on estimated property values
  • Filing of legal documents relying solely on website data
  • Use of property maps, parcel boundaries, or tools with interpretive errors

Errors, Omissions & Outdated Information

Despite regular updates, some website content may contain typographical errors, omissions, or outdated data. Geographic boundaries, ownership status, exemption records, and appraised values may not reflect real-time changes. The Property Appraiser’s Office disclaims responsibility for any unintended inaccuracies or incomplete data found on the site.

External Links Disclaimer

This website may provide links to third-party or external websites as a convenience to users seeking additional information or services. These links are provided solely for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of the linked websites or their content.
We do not control, monitor, or guarantee the accuracy, security, or availability of external websites. Visiting third-party links is at your own discretion, and we assume no liability for any content, services, or transactions that occur on external platforms.

User Accounts & Security (If Applicable)

Some features of the Washington County Property Appraiser website may offer or require the creation of a user account to access personalized tools or submit property-related forms. When user accounts are made available, the following terms apply to ensure a secure and responsible user experience.

Account Responsibility

If you create an account on our website, you are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality, security, and accuracy of your login credentials. This includes:

  • Keeping your username and password confidential
  • Ensuring your contact information is current and valid
  • Taking reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access

The Washington County Property Appraiser is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with these responsibilities.

Protecting Your Login Credentials

To safeguard your account:

  • Do not share your username or password with anyone.
  • Avoid using the same password across multiple websites.
  • Always log out after accessing your account, especially on shared or public devices.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly to enhance security.

Failure to follow these best practices may result in unauthorized access, which could compromise your personal data or property records.

Unauthorized Access Reporting

If you suspect that your account has been compromised or notice any unauthorized use of your login credentials, you must notify us immediately through our designated contact form or by calling our office. Prompt reporting helps us:

  • Investigate potential security breaches
  • Disable compromised accounts
  • Prevent further unauthorized activity

The Washington County Property Appraiser reserves the right to suspend, revoke, or delete any user account suspected of unauthorized or malicious activity without prior notice.

Data Collection & Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. This section outlines the types of information we may collect when you use our website, how we use it, and the steps we take to protect your data. By using this site, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described herein.

Information We May Collect

When you visit the Washington County Property Appraiser website, we may collect both non-personal and personal information. Examples include:

  • Browser type and device information
  • IP address and general geographic location
  • Pages visited and time spent on each page
  • Search terms used within the website
  • Voluntary submissions, such as contact forms, feedback, or requests for property data

This information helps us understand how users interact with our site and allows us to continually improve the user experience.

Use of Cookies & Analytics

Our website may use cookies and third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to:

  • Track user behavior and site navigation
  • Monitor website performance and functionality
  • Identify areas needing improvement
  • Remember user preferences when applicable

Cookies do not contain personally identifiable information unless you voluntarily provide such information through site interactions. You can disable cookies via your browser settings, but doing so may limit some site functionality.

How We Handle Your Data

We take your data privacy seriously. Here’s how we manage your information:

  • We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties
  • We implement industry-standard security measures to help protect against unauthorized access or disclosure
  • Data is used only for legitimate operational purposes, such as customer support, site improvement, or regulatory compliance

Despite our efforts, no system can be completely secure. By using the website, you acknowledge this risk and agree to use the site accordingly.

Refer to Our Privacy Policy for Full Details

This section provides an overview of our data practices, but it does not replace our comprehensive Privacy Policy (link to actual privacy policy page if available). We encourage you to read it in full to better understand:

  • What data we collect
  • Why we collect it
  • How it is used, stored, and protected
  • Your rights regarding your personal information

If you have any questions or concerns about your data, please contact us through the details provided on our Contact Us page.

Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This section explains the legal framework under which these Terms & Conditions are interpreted and how any disputes will be resolved. By using this website, you agree to the provisions outlined below.

Jurisdiction – State of Florida

All matters relating to your access to or use of the Washington County Property Appraiser website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

  • This jurisdiction applies regardless of your physical location, meaning that users from other states or countries are still subject to Florida law while interacting with this website.
  • Any legal action brought against the website or its operators must be filed in a court located in Florida, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

Legal Remedies and Arbitration

We strive to resolve all concerns amicably and efficiently. However, in the event of a dispute:

  • We reserve the right to seek legal or equitable remedies through the Florida court system.
  • Alternatively, at our discretion, disputes may be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Arbitration may be chosen for its efficiency, privacy, and reduced cost.
  • You agree to cooperate in good faith to resolve any dispute informally before pursuing litigation or arbitration.

This approach does not restrict our ability to seek injunctive or equitable relief for unauthorized use of our intellectual property or breaches of these Terms.

Waiver of Class Actions

By using this website, you explicitly agree to the following:

  • You waive your right to participate in any class-action lawsuit, class-wide arbitration, or any other collective or representative proceeding against us.
  • Any dispute resolution proceeding—whether in arbitration or court—will be conducted on an individual basis only.

This ensures a more straightforward legal process and reduces the risk of protracted legal proceedings affecting the operation of our services.

Changes to Terms & Conditions

To ensure the continued integrity, legal compliance, and relevance of our website policies, we may occasionally update these Terms & Conditions. This section outlines how such changes are made, how users are informed, and what your responsibilities are as a visitor or user of this website.

Right to Modify Terms

The Washington County Property Appraiser reserves the full right to revise, update, amend, or otherwise modify these Terms & Conditions at any time, without prior notice.

  • Modifications may reflect changes in legal requirements, technological improvements, service updates, or user feedback.
  • Updated terms take effect immediately upon being posted, unless otherwise stated.

Notification of Changes

To keep you informed, any updates to these terms will be:

  • Posted clearly on this page, typically with an “Effective Date” noted at the top.
  • Additional notices may be provided, such as:
    • A banner notification on the homepage.
    • An email notification (if you have an account and have opted in to receive communications).

However, absence of direct notification does not exempt users from compliance with updated terms.

Your Responsibility to Stay Informed

By continuing to use the website after changes are made:

  • You acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the modified Terms & Conditions.
  • It is your responsibility to periodically review this page to stay current with any updates.
  • If you do not agree with any revised terms, you must immediately discontinue use of the site and its services.

This ongoing review ensures that you remain informed about your rights, responsibilities, and the terms governing your access to this public information platform.

Contact Us

We value transparency and are committed to helping you understand your rights and responsibilities when using this website. If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding these Terms & Conditions, we encourage you to reach out through the proper channels listed below.

Questions About These Terms

If you have concerns, suggestions, or require explanation about any section of these Terms & Conditions:

  • You are welcome to contact our office for assistance.
  • We are here to help clarify your legal rights and our policies as they relate to your use of this website.

Contact Information

To reach the Washington County Property Appraiser’s Office, please use the following contact methods:

Main Office Address
Washington County Property Appraiser
1331 South Boulevard, Suite 300
Chipley, FL 32428
United States

Phone Number
📞 (850) 638-6205

Fax
📠 (850) 638-6139

Email Support
✉️ info@wcpa.net

Website Contact Page
To submit inquiries, feedback, or support requests, please visit our Contact Us page.

We aim to respond to all inquiries in a timely and professional manner. Your feedback helps us improve and uphold the standards of public service expected from our office.