Lost a loved one?
Probate Law Group
Verified Florida partner for probate and estate matters.
(813) 600-9717
- 175K Residents
- $9B County GDP
- $51,123 GDP per Capita
Bay County
Bay County
Bay County anchors the Florida Panhandle's Emerald Coast around Panama City and Panama City Beach. The economy runs on tourism, the Naval Support Activity Panama City and Tyndall AFB, the Port of Panama City, and rebuilding from Hurricane Michael (2018). The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (Bill Kinsaul) operates a Benchmark records and tax deed system with active foreclosure and tax deed dockets.
Property in Bay
What every owner, heir, and investor should know.
Owning a home in Bay.
Bay County housing has been reshaped by Hurricane Michael recovery; insurance costs and mitigation matter more here than in most counties.
- Florida Homestead Exemption and Save Our Homes cap apply.
- Tax bills Nov 1, delinquent April 1.
- Wind mitigation and roof age dramatically affect insurance premiums.
- Tax deed redemption to day of sale under Ch. 197, F.S.
- Foreclosure surplus claims under § 45.032, F.S. — 60 days.
- Many parcels remain in flood zones along St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf.
Investing in Bay.
Bay County offers a long-running short-term rental and beach investment market plus post-hurricane redevelopment opportunities.
- Tax deed search at records2.baycoclerk.com/TaxDeed.
- Foreclosure auctions through the clerk on RealForeclose.
- Property Appraiser parcel search at baypa.net.
- Court case search at baycoclerk.com.
- Watch for unrepaired Hurricane Michael damage, code violations, and stricter coastal building rules.
After a Bay foreclosure or tax deed sale.
Bay County follows Florida's judicial foreclosure process under Ch. 45, F.S. and runs Ch. 197 tax deed sales through the Clerk.
- Foreclosures filed in the 14th Judicial Circuit; auctions online.
- Surplus claim window: 60 days from certificate of disbursement (§ 45.032, F.S.).
- Tax certificates sold yearly by the Tax Collector; tax deed application after 2 years.
- Notices published in The News Herald (Panama City).
Courts and records in Bay.
- Bay County Courthouse — 300 E 4th St, Panama City, FL 32401 — 14th Judicial Circuit
- 14th Judicial Circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Washington)
- First District Court of Appeal — Tallahassee
- Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Bill Kinsaul — (850) 763-9061 — baycoclerk.com
- Property Appraiser — Dan Sowell — 860 W 11th St, Panama City, FL 32401 — baypa.net
- Tax Collector — Chuck Perdue — 850 W 11th St, Panama City — baytaxcollector.com
- Sheriff — Tommy Ford — 3421 N Hwy 77, Panama City, FL 32405