How To Search for Savannah Property Records

Before buying a property, it is important to conduct a property records search. Property records are official files that tell you who owns the land or building, sales history, deeds, mortgages or liens, tax history, and plats. You will find owners' details, sales history, assessed value, and tax bills when you conduct a Savannah property records search. Checking property records helps buyers and investors spot problems like liens, confirm lot lines, and understand taxes before making a deal. The good news? Most property records in the city are public documents, searchable by anyone. Below is a list of the best resources to help you find Savannah property records.

Chatham County Board of Assessors

You can find Savannah property records at the Chatham County Board of Assessors. Here you can find information such as owner name, assessed value, parcel ID/PIN, residential improvement information, additions, sketches, maps, exemptions, sales history, and tax information. The county has an online searchable database called the Records Search (GIS Enhanced) tool. With this tool, you can look up property records using the parcel number, owner name, location address, neighborhood, land use, or legal information. Additionally, you can get Savannah property records by email or in person. Send an email to boa@chathamcounty.org for requests by mail. If you intend to view or obtain copies of the record in person, go to the Board's Counter at 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 113, Savannah, GA 31401. The Counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chatham County Tax Commissioner

The Chatham County Tax Commissioner is in charge of billing and collecting property taxes. The office maintains property and tax records, including tax bills, payment history, delinquent property tax records, and tax liens. You can access property records online using the Property Record Search page. You can search the record using the property ID, address, owner's name, and personal property. Alternatively, visit the office in person at 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 107, Savannah, GA 31401.

Chatham County Superior Court

Another place you can look up City of Savannah property records is through the Clerk of the Superior Court's Real Estate Division records. Here you will find deeds, mortgages and liens, plats, easements, military discharge, UCC filings, partnerships, and trade names. You can look up property records online using the statewide system, Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority. The tool allows you to request certified copies of property records from the court System. You can also access the records in person at the Tom Coleman Judicial Courthouse located at 133 Montgomery Street, 3rd floor, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401, or at the satellite office located at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406. Alternatively, you can request copies of property records by mail as follows:

Regular Mail:

ATTN: Real Estate Division

Clerk of Superior Court

P.O. Box 10227

Savannah, GA 31401

FED/Ex UPS:

ATTN: Real Estate Division

Clerk of Superior Court

133 Montgomery Street, Room 304

Savannah, GA 31401

Savannah property taxes play a huge role in funding services that keep the city running. These funds support schools, police departments, fire services, local roads, parks, road maintenance, transportation, healthcare, and other services the community relies on every day. The property tax process starts with the Board of Assessors, which is responsible for valuing all taxable property in the city. Each parcel is assigned a fair market value, used to calculate the tax bill.

Once assessments are prepared, the Tax Commissioner's Office takes over. The tax office prepares and mails tax bills, collects payments, and is also responsible for enforcing collections if taxes are not paid. In Savannah, property taxes are billed yearly, but bills are mailed twice a year. The first installment is billed on April 1 and is due June 1. The second installment is billed on September 15, and payment is due by November 15. If you miss the deadline, the balance becomes delinquent. This means interest and penalties start adding up right away. If taxes remain unpaid for too long, the property can eventually be sold at a tax sale to recover what is owed.

Paying your bill is simple. Property owners can pay online, by mail, or in person. The accepted payment includes check, money order, credit or debit, and electronic check (e-check). You can make online property tax payments through the Tax Commissioner's website, while payment via mail can be mailed to Chatham County Tax Commissioner, P.O. Box 9827, Savannah, GA 31412. In-person payment of taxes is available at any of the following locations:

• 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 107, Savannah, GA 31401
• 1145 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31401
• 295 Police Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31401
• 125 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31401

Assessments

The Chatham County Board of Assessors sets property values each year on January 1 using sales, cost, and income methods. Assessment in the state is calculated at 40% of the fair market value for tax purposes. If you disagree with your assessment, you must act within 45 days of receiving your Annual Notice of Assessment. File an appeal using the state form PT-311A, available online from the Board of Assessors or the county website. Alternatively, you can pick up the forms in person at the Assessor's office.

Appraisals

In Savannah, Georgia, property assessment operates much like appraisals. Both aim to determine a property's fair market value by comparing it to similar properties recently sold in the area. For properties with unique characteristics, the county may call on a professional appraiser to provide a more precise valuation. Accurate appraisals are essential not just for property taxes but also for a variety of other purposes. Buyers and sellers use them to set fair prices, while lenders use them to confirm mortgage collateral. Also, property owners use appraisals to challenge tax assessments, while the courts or boards use them to resolve disputes.

Tax Rates

Savannah, Georgia, has slightly lower property tax rates compared to the state and national averages. The city's effective property tax rate is 0.96%. By comparison, the national median is 1.02%, while the state median property tax rate stands at 1.08%. This implies that you pay less in property taxes in Savannah than in most cities across Georgia and the U.S., making Savannah a bit more affordable and attractive to buyers and investors. Here is how Savannah's property tax rate compares to other counties in Georgia:

• Gwinnett County 1.02%
• DeKalb County 0.95%
• Cobb County 0.69%
• Clayton County 0.91%
• Muscogee County 0.88%
• Warren County 0.96%
• Henry County 0.98%
• Forsyth County 0.78%
• Cherokee County 0.71%
• Richmond County 0.96%

Exemptions

Property taxes can bite hard for many homeowners in Savannah. Thankfully, assistance, in the form of exemptions, goes a long way in relieving this burden. The Chatham County Board of Assessors offers various property tax exemptions to qualifying homeowners to reduce the assessed value of your home. They include:

• Homestead Exemption: You can apply for a homestead exemption if you live on the property as your permanent residence on January 1. Rental homes do not qualify. Only the owner listed on the title can apply.
• Stephens-Day Exemption: In the Stephens-Day exemption, your home's taxable value is frozen at its base year value, so your future tax increase only reflects improvements or inflation (CPI).

• Special Exemption: Special exemptions give extra tax relief to homeowners who already qualify for the homestead exemption but meet certain age, income, or disability requirements. Qualifying individuals must show proof, such as tax returns or medical/veteran documents. You can access the following special exemptions in the City of Savannah:

  • Senior School Tax Exemption
  • School Tax Disability
  • Disabled Veterans or Unmarried Surviving Spouse of 100% Disabled Vet
  • Unremarried Surviving Spouse of U.S. Service Members Killed in Action
  • Floating Homestead
  • Tax Deferral for the Elderly

If you qualify for an exemption, you can contact the Chatham County Board of Assessors' office to apply.

Most constructions, repairs, trades, roofs, pools, fences, signs, demolitions, and many site projects require a building permit and one or more inspections to confirm compliance with the city's code. You can obtain building permits from the City of Savannah Development Services Department by applying online using the eTRAC webpage. You can also use the platform to upload plans, schedule inspections, pay permit fees, and track permit status. You can also apply for building permits in person at 20 Interchange Drive, Savannah, GA 31415. You can apply for the following building permits in Savannah:

• Building Permits: It is required for new constructions, additions, remodels, and demolitions for both residential and commercial constructions.
• Electrical Permits: The permit is needed for wiring, outlets, panels, or any electrical work.
• Plumbing Permits: This permit covers water lines, drains, fixtures, and sewer connections.
• Mechanical Permits: You need this permit if you are working on heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems.
• Sign Permits: This permit is required when you want to install business or event signs.
• Pool & Spa Permits: You need this permit when constructing new swimming pools, hot tubs, or spas.
• Fire Safety or Prevention Permits: This permit covers sprinklers, alarms, or systems that prevent/handle fires.

When applying for a permit, you are required to submit paperwork supporting the permit process. There are different types of permits you'll need depending on what you're doing, and these include things for material lists, blueprints, contractor licenses, and various building plans. There are fees required along with documentation when going for a permit.

You should also expect to get an inspection performed for most permits. You must get a local inspector to check that your project meets all local codes. Schedule your inspection using the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours. You can also call (912) 651-6530 ext 1592 or send an email between 7:15 a.m./4:00 p.m., to schedule a next-day building inspection. For trade inspections, call between 7:15 a.m./8:30 a.m. for same-day inspections.

• Electrical Inspections - (912) 651-6530 (Ext 3)
• Mechanical Inspections - (912) 651-6530 (Ext 4)
• Plumbing Inspections - (912) 651-6530 (Ext 5)

Savannah, located in Chatham County, Georgia, offers a unique mix of historic charm, coastal living, and strong rental demand fuelled by tourism. The Port of Savannah drives growth in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and education, creating steady job opportunities. The Savannah metro areaexperienced a 1.17% population increase in 2025, reaching approximately 347,000, which in turn boosted housing demand. Savannah has a total of 69,071 housing units with about 60,129 units occupied, reflecting an 87% occupancy rate. You can find diverse home types in the City of Savannah, including Historic Victorians, bungalows, townhomes, condos, apartments, ADUs, coastal cottages, and suburban single-family homes.

The median home price in Savannah, Georgia, is $335,576, down 2.9% year-over-year. Despite the dip, home prices are 25% below the national median, making it more affordable than most U.S. metros. However, home prices vary across Savannah neighborhoods as follows:

• Baldwin Park $469,593
• Midtown $385,000
• Historic District $666,625
• Isle of Hope $571,943
• Ardsley Park $322,222

Savannah's real estate market is somewhat competitive, with homes selling in about 66 days. Generally, limited inventory, strong job growth, and affordability make homes in Savannah appealing for both rental income and long-term appreciation.