S.C. Code Regs. 117-1740.3 — General Requirements for Appraisal Records

Section 1. For the purposes of valuing property for ad valorem tax purposes, each county in the
State shall keep the necessary records on all property to value such property in accordance with the
laws of this State. The information required to be kept includes, but is not limited to, the information
provided in Section 2, as well as any other information the Department of Revenue directs.
Section 2. There shall be a property appraisal record for each parcel of property in the county
which shall contain the following information.
1. The name and address of the owner of the property;
2. the location of the property;
3. the Tax Map reference number for the property;
4. the Tax District where the property is located;
5. references to the last previous owner with deed book and page if obtained by deed or the
proper legal reference as to how the property was obtained, if obtained by another method;
6. a legal description of the property;
7. the appraised value of the property;
8. the assessed value of the property;
9. the plat book and page if the property has been recorded with the Clerk of the Court or the
Register of Mesne Conveyance. In addition, the date of the last transfer of the property shall be
listed along with the consideration paid or the amount of any deed stamps or recording fees paid
with respect to the transfer of the property;
10. the date of inspection;
11. the classification of the property according to the classifications provided in Article X, §1 of
the South Carolina Constitution and Chapter 43, Title 12 of the South Carolina Code of Laws;
12. the topography characteristics of the land;
13. land improvements such as water, sewer, gas and electricity;
14. lot size to the nearest foot;
15. if listed in acreage, the number of acres;
16. a sketch, or dimensions of the real property improvements which contribute value, listing the
measurements, number of stories, basement, porches, garages, outbuildings and other similar types
of real property improvements;
17. calculation of the square footage of the real property improvements;
18. the name of the individual who appraised the property.
19. The following characteristics will be identified as to their type, condition, and number,
whichever is applicable; foundation, basement, walls, roof, number of stories, number of bedrooms,
fireplaces (including number thereof), garages and carports, storage rooms, types of heating and air
conditioning, insulation, and kitchen built-ins.
20. For commercial and industrial property not assessed by the department the following
characteristics should also be noted: type of wiring, type of sprinkler system, capacity of heating and
air conditioning, humidification, type of roof structure, type of roof supports, eve height of
improvements, annual rent received, and estimated remaining economic life.
21. The Assessor shall keep a record of the market value of agricultural property based on
highest and best use and actual use for a period of at least six years, so that if the use should change,
the property taxes can be calculated based on the market value for the year of the change and the
previous five years.
Section 3. If any county has completed a program as of December 31, 1975, such county may be
exempted from portions of the above provisions with written permission from the department.
Section 4. A county is allowed to keep an electronic record of the information contained in Section
2 above, in lieu of, or in addition to, a paper copy of the property appraisal record.
Section 5. The Assessor will, to the best of his or her ability, estimate the fair market value for all
real property under his or her jurisdiction as of the assessment date, and this value shall be the value
to which the assessment ratios provided in Chapter 43, Title 12 of the Code will be applied.
Section 6. If a county keeps a separate property record, the county may omit the information
contained in items 1, 5, 6, 8, and 9 listed in Section 2 above from the property appraisal record.