Search Florence County, SC Property Records

Florence County, South Carolina, administers property records primarily at the county level, with several offices overseeing recorded instruments, property valuation, and tax collection. Certain functions, such as land use, building, and zoning, are shared between county offices and individual municipalities.

Per the records, the county's residential market is anchored by a median home value of $106,100.00 and a median rent of $750.00. The median household income is reported at $56,500.00, while the median real estate tax rate is 0.47% of the assessed property value.

Florence County, SC, maintains several access points for property records, including modern databases and traditional methods.

In-person visits remain useful for those seeking older documents or requesting certified copies. Depending on the office, mail or email inquiries are also viable for those unable to visit in person.

For digital searches, the Online Records Search provides access to recorded instruments, such as deeds, mortgages, and plats. Meanwhile, the Property Search system can deliver parcel and assessment information used for identifying ownership and tax details within the county database.

Beyond county-operated systems, PropertyChecker can provide a centralized platform for viewing publicly available property information. It compiles data from multiple sources into a single search interface, which may include ownership history, property characteristics, and estimated valuation details.

To conduct more accurate searches, researchers are encouraged to provide the assessor’s parcel number (APN), property address, or owner name. APN-based searches are the most reliable since they point to a single parcel record. When only partial details are available, results may include several matches.

South Carolina's property privacy statutes can impose limitations on the information publicly available. The state does not require disclosure of certain personal financial details linked to property transactions. Additionally, some records predating the digitization of the county's archives may require in-person review.

Researchers should also be aware that online portals may include a disclaimer stating that all data is for informational purposes only and that certified documents for legal proceedings are issued only by official county agencies.

The Register of Deeds is the official custodian of the chain of title for all real property located within Florence County. The office records and indexes deeds, plats, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, and all other instruments affecting real estate interests.

The Online Records Search portal provides access to indexed instruments and, in many cases, document images. Users can search by grantor or grantee name, book and page number, or property description. For records that are not yet digitized or that predate the county's electronic index, in-person visits to the Register of Deeds Office are necessary.

Sales history for Florence County properties can be researched through either the Property Search system or the Online Records Search database.

The Property Search portal can display the most recent recorded sale price and transfer date associated with each parcel. Meanwhile, the Online Records Search can provide indexed deed records of the Register of Deeds, which are the most authoritative source for verifying the parties, consideration, and legal description involved in any given transaction.

PropertyChecker can supplement these county tools by aggregating recorded sales data and listing histories. Reports from this tool allow users to identify patterns in ownership changes over time.

The County Tax Assessor assesses property taxes in Florence County. South Carolina Code of Laws Section 12-43-217(A) requires countywide reassessments every five years, during which all real property is reappraised at current market value as of the tax control date.

The County Treasurer’s Office uses these assessed values when preparing tax bills and managing collections. If property owners have not paid their taxes, the County Delinquent Tax Office handles delinquency cases and enforces collection procedures in accordance with county guidelines.

Property owners may search for assessment details using the Property Search portal. They may also utilize the Tax Estimator tool to estimate potential tax liability based on assessed value and applicable millage rates. To view and pay current tax bills, taxpayers can access the Tax Records Inquiry system.

If property owners disagree with their assessed value, they may file an appeal with the County Tax Assessor using the Real Property Valuation Appeal Form.

The Property Search portal can provide Florence County residents with a wide range of parcel and building information. Users may enter an owner’s name, street address, or parcel number to locate residential property records and review the structural details for a specific parcel.

Commonly available details include property type, architectural style, number of units, and total area, measured in square feet. The system may also display the year the structure was built, the type of exterior walls used in construction, and the assigned grade.

Zoning and land-use records for properties located in unincorporated areas of Florence County are managed by the County Planning Department. This office maintains records that can help define permitted uses, development standards, and long-term land planning across the county.

The department’s zoning map can help property owners identify zoning designations. The Code of Ordinances is also available online, which contains the full text of applicable zoning and land-use rules enforced within the county. Questions related to rezoning applications, special exceptions, or variance requests are handled in person at the Planning Department’s Office.

Properties located within incorporated municipalities are governed by local zoning ordinances rather than county rules. The City of Florence operates its own Planning, Research, and Development Department that maintains city-specific zoning maps and parcel data used for urban planning and development review.

A wide variety of legal instruments that can affect property ownership, title, and use in Florence County are filed with the Register of Deeds. Common recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, restrictive covenants, and plats.

These instruments are available in person and online via Online Records Search. They can be reviewed to identify encumbrances, encroachments, or restrictions that may affect a property's marketability or intended use.

For litigation-related documents affecting real property, including lis pendens filings, foreclosure complaints, and court-ordered judgments, the County Clerk of Court maintains the relevant records.

In unincorporated areas of Florence County, building permits and inspection documentation are processed by the Building Inspections Division under the County Planning Department.

This office oversees permits for new structures, renovations, additions, and other property modifications that require compliance with county construction standards. Its Permitting Portal allows users to submit permit applications, monitor approval progress, schedule inspections, and review historical permit data linked to specific parcels.

Within incorporated municipalities, permit issuance and inspection services are managed independently by local governments. The Lake City Building and Codes Enforcement Department handles these responsibilities within city limits. It can be visited for review of construction plans, field inspections, and enforcement of municipal building regulations.

Property owners in Florence County may reference the County Map for visual and spatial property data. This mapping tool covers nearly 73,000 parcels and provides a clear view of parcel boundaries, nearby properties, and the surrounding geographic context. The mapping system also includes multiple layers that can improve analysis and comparison.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$750.00

South Carolina	$818.00
National	$840.25

• -8.3 %
  vs South Carolina
• -10.7 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$106,100.00

South Carolina	$125,800.00
National	$173,750.00

• -15.7 %
  vs South Carolina
• -38.9 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$56,500.00

South Carolina	$51,386.00
National	$65,108.00

• +10.0 %
  vs South Carolina
• -13.2 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

0.47%

South Carolina	0.53%
National	0.74%

• -11.3%
  vs South Carolina
• -36.5 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

2.54%

South Carolina	3.05%
National	2.87%

• -16.7 %
  vs South Carolina
• -11.5 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

29.25%

South Carolina	24.18%
National	21.81%

• +21.0 %
  vs South Carolina
• +34.1 %
  vs National

The Register of Deeds serves as the official recorder of all real property instruments in Florence County. This office preserves documents that affect real estate ownership, including deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and easements. Once recorded, these documents become part of the permanent public record and provide legal notice to all parties involved in a transaction.

Beyond documenting ownership transfers, the office's records also support broader county functions related to property assessment, subdivision review, land development, and zoning administration.

Public access to recorded land instruments is available during regular office hours by submitting an in-person review request. Although staff can assist with locating recorded documents, the office does not perform title searches, provide legal advice, or prepare legal forms on behalf of the public.

For digital access, the Register of Deeds provides an Online Records Search system that indexes documents by grantor and grantee names, document type, recording date, and other key identifiers. This platform also includes Old Index Books, which contain records predating full electronic indexing.

Copy fees may apply when requesting recorded property documents. Since the published Fee Sheet does not specify copy charges, individuals should contact the office at 843-665-3032 for the most current fee information.

While the Florence County government maintains comprehensive records for all unincorporated areas, properties located within incorporated municipalities may be subject to additional records maintained by those municipalities. Typically, these local governments issue their own building permits, enforce their own zoning codes, and maintain their own planning records.

The incorporated municipalities within the county are as follows:

• Cities

• Towns

Town of Stuckey (no official website currently available)

• City of Florence
• City of Johnsonville
• City of Lake City
• Town of Coward
• Town of Olanta
• Town of Pamplico
• Town of Scranton
• Town of Timmonsville