Scotland County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Scotland County in 2026
ScotlandRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Scotland County, North Carolina. Members of the public may find ownership histories, recorded deeds, tax assessments, mortgage documents, and lien filings through official county and state resources. Available record categories include property transfers, encumbrances, plat maps, building permits, and tax payment histories. Information presented through public databases reflects what has been officially recorded and may not capture unrecorded agreements or very recent transactions.
Records may be searched through several official channels maintained by Scotland County government agencies. The primary resources include the Scotland County Register of Deeds, the Scotland County Tax Administration office, and the North Carolina Department of Revenue's property tax resources. Each office maintains distinct record sets, and a thorough property search draws from multiple sources.
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches — The most convenient option for recent recorded documents and tax data
- In-person visits — Required for certified copies and access to older or undigitized records
- By mail — Written requests submitted with applicable fees and identifying information
- Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors provide comprehensive searches
1. Property Appraiser Website
Scotland County property valuation and ownership data are maintained by the Scotland County Tax Administration, which serves the combined function of property appraiser and tax collector. Members of the public may access the county's online property search portal through the Scotland County government website at no charge and without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision name
- By map/GIS location
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Scotland County Tax Administration property search portal
- Select a search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific parcel to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, valuation history, and sales records
- Print or save the information as needed
2. Register of Deeds Official Records Search
The Scotland County Register of Deeds maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14, the Register of Deeds is required to record, index, and preserve all instruments presented for registration that affect title to real property in the county.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller or conveying party)
- Grantee name (buyer or receiving party)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Deeds of trust and mortgages
- Satisfactions and releases of deeds of trust
- Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Declarations of restrictions and covenants
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
- Lis pendens filings
- HOA declarations
How to Search:
- Access the Register of Deeds online search system through the Scotland County Register of Deeds
- Select the search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the results list
- Select a document to view the image if available online
- Note the book and page number or instrument number for reference
- Request certified copies from the office if official copies are needed
3. Tax Administration Website
The Scotland County Tax Administration office maintains current and historical tax records for all real property parcels in the county.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel ID number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances and delinquency status
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates by taxing district
- Installment plan status
4. GIS / Mapping System
Scotland County maintains a geographic information system that allows visual property searches with interactive mapping tools.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the property location
- Click on a parcel to view linked property information
- View property boundaries, zoning layers, and flood zone designations
- Access aerial photography and environmental feature overlays
- Measure distances and view multiple data layers simultaneously
In-Person Searches:
Scotland County Register of Deeds
212 Biggs Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2575
Scotland County Register of Deeds
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services available in person include public access terminals, staff-assisted searches, certified copy requests, access to deed books and plat records, and grantor/grantee index searches.
Scotland County Tax Administration
507 West Covington Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2566
Scotland County Tax Administration
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services available in person include property valuation records, tax bill copies, delinquency information, exemption applications, and payment processing.
By Mail Requests:
Register of Deeds — Mail Requests:
Scotland County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 769
Laurinburg, NC 28353
Mail requests for recorded document copies should specify the instrument by book and page number or instrument number, include the property address and approximate recording date range if the instrument number is unknown, and include payment for applicable copy fees. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Tax Administration — Mail Requests:
Scotland County Tax Administration
507 West Covington Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Requests for tax records by mail should include the parcel identification number or property address and a return mailing address. Payment for copy fees should accompany the request.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and issue title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes or chain-of-title deficiencies. Licensed abstractors compile abstracts of title covering the full ownership history of a parcel. Costs for professional services vary based on the scope of the search and the complexity of the title history.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, attempt variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and check spelling alternatives
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, then full name, and consider maiden name or business entity name variations
- When searching by legal description, use the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, or section, township, and range designations from the deed
- For historical records not available online, contact the Register of Deeds directly to arrange in-person access or staff-assisted retrieval
Common Search Challenges:
Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays. Very old records predating digitization efforts require in-person access at the courthouse. Common names may return multiple results, and verification by parcel number or legal description is recommended. Unrecorded documents, private agreements, and documents filed under seal are not accessible through public property record searches.
What Is Scotland County Property Records
Property records in Scotland County are official legal documents related to real property — land and any structures affixed to it — maintained by county government offices as permanent public records. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and provide the foundation for property tax assessment. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-22, instruments affecting title to real property in North Carolina must be registered with the county Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Transfer records and chain-of-title documentation
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting real property
- Historical ownership records dating to county formation
Encumbrance Records:
- Deeds of trust and mortgages
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants and HOA declarations
- Lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual property tax assessments
- Tax bills and payment histories
- Homestead, senior, veteran, and disability exemption records
- Special assessments and delinquency records
Legal Descriptions:
- Recorded subdivision plats
- Survey plats and re-plats
- Lot and block information
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violation records
- Zoning and land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records:
Scotland County Register of Deeds
212 Biggs Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2575
Scotland County Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds records, indexes, and preserves all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and easements.
Scotland County Tax Administration
507 West Covington Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2566
Scotland County Tax Administration
The Tax Administration office maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, ownership information for tax purposes, and exemption applications.
Scotland County Planning and Development
507 West Covington Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2580
Scotland County Planning
The Planning and Development department maintains zoning records, land use designations, building permits, and code enforcement records.
Legal Framework:
North Carolina property recording law is governed primarily by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47-17, which establishes the requirements for the registration of deeds and other instruments conveying interests in real property. The recording statutes establish the principle of constructive notice, meaning that a properly recorded instrument provides legal notice to all subsequent parties regardless of actual knowledge. North Carolina follows a "race-notice" recording system, under which a subsequent purchaser who records first and takes without notice of a prior unrecorded interest prevails.
Are Property Records Public Information in Scotland County?
Property records in Scotland County are public information. North Carolina's public records law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, declares that public records are the property of the people and that access to public records is a fundamental right. Property records maintained by the Register of Deeds, Tax Administration, and Planning departments are subject to this statute and are open to inspection by any member of the public without a showing of need or purpose.
As the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has noted in its guidance on public records, "The public records law reflects the General Assembly's intent that government records be open and accessible to the people of North Carolina." This principle applies fully to property records, which have been treated as public documents under American common law for centuries.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and secret conveyances
- The real estate marketplace depends on publicly accessible title information to enable transactions
- Title insurance and mortgage lending industries rely on recorded public records
- Property tax assessment transparency ensures accountability in government taxation
- Historical and genealogical research depends on permanent public access to land records
- Journalistic investigation of property ownership serves the public interest
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment histories
- Property characteristics and building data
- Recorded deeds and instruments in their entirety
- Plat maps and subdivision surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information within property records receives limited protection. Social Security numbers are redacted from recorded documents under current North Carolina law. Bank account numbers and personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments are not disclosed. Under North Carolina's Address Confidentiality Program, administered by the North Carolina Secretary of State, certain individuals — including domestic violence victims, stalking victims, and law enforcement personnel — may request that their residential address be protected from public disclosure in government records.
Homestead exemption applications submitted to the Tax Administration office may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public inspection. Members of the public seeking access to exemption application details should contact the Tax Administration office directly regarding applicable policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any person may access Scotland County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media. Out-of-state and out-of-country requesters have the same access rights as local residents.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of publicly available property records is permitted under North Carolina law. Real estate marketing firms, property valuation services, title insurance companies, and data aggregation companies may compile and use property record information. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and other applicable regulations continue to govern how information derived from public records may be used, regardless of the public nature of the underlying records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Scotland County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Scotland County Register of Deeds and Tax Administration offices at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies of recorded instruments are requested.
Register of Deeds Copy Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded instrument | $5.00 for first page + $2.00 each additional page |
| Plat copy | $2.00 per page |
| Electronic document (if available) | Varies |
North Carolina recording and copy fees for the Register of Deeds are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-10, which establishes the schedule of fees that registers of deeds statewide are authorized to charge. Fees are set by the General Assembly and are uniform across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Tax Administration Copy Fees:
Copies of tax records and property cards are available at the Tax Administration office. Standard copy fees of $0.25 per page apply to non-certified copies of tax records. Certified copies of tax records may carry an additional fee. Members of the public may view property records on public access terminals at the Tax Administration office at no charge.
Online Access:
Online access to the property search portal maintained by Scotland County Tax Administration is free of charge and requires no registration. Online access to the Register of Deeds recorded document index is free. Fees for viewing or downloading document images online, if applicable, are disclosed within the online search system at the time of access.
Accepted Payment Methods:
The Register of Deeds and Tax Administration offices accept cash, check, and money order for in-person and mail requests. Credit and debit card acceptance varies; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a mail request.
Fee Waivers:
North Carolina law does not provide a general fee waiver for property record copies. Government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced fees in specific circumstances. Members of the public seeking fee waiver information should contact the Register of Deeds directly.
What's Included in a Scotland County Property Record?
A complete Scotland County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, tax, and encumbrance information.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), acquisition date, and the deed book and page or instrument number by which the current owner acquired title. The mailing address on file for tax billing purposes is also included. Previous ownership information reflects the chain of title, listing prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by a unique parcel identification number, the physical site address, the legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds description), and the tax account number. Condominium unit numbers and alternate parcel numbers are included where applicable.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, depth, corner lot designation, and land use and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and number of total rooms. Additional features such as garages, pools, porches, fireplaces, heating and cooling systems, water source, and sewer system are recorded. Condition and quality ratings assigned by the Tax Administration appraiser are also part of the property record.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include the land value, building value, and total assessed value for the current year, along with the estimated market value and taxable value after exemptions. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained and accessible through the property card. Agricultural classification values are recorded separately where applicable.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount, a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts), exemptions applied, millage rates, due dates, payment status, and available discount information. Tax payment history for prior years is maintained in the Tax Administration system.
Exemptions Applied:
Scotland County property records reflect all exemptions applied to a parcel, including the homestead exclusion (currently $25,000 of assessed value under North Carolina law), the elderly and disabled exclusion, the disabled veteran exclusion, the circuit breaker tax deferment program, and agricultural use value programs.
Sales History:
Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, foreclosure deed, tax deed, or other conveyance), grantor and grantee names, deed instrument numbers, and qualified or unqualified sale designations used for assessment purposes.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages and deeds of trust appear in the Register of Deeds index with the original loan amount, lender name, recording date, and book and page reference. Recorded liens — including federal and state tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens — are indexed by the name of the debtor and the property. Easements, restrictive covenants, lis pendens filings, and other encumbrances of record are similarly indexed and available for inspection.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use designation, school district assignment, fire district, water district, and special taxing district information are included in the property record. Flood zone designation under FEMA mapping, wetlands designations, and conservation area overlays are accessible through the county GIS system.
Maps and Images:
Property records include GIS map displays with parcel boundaries, aerial photography, plat map references, and property sketches maintained by the Tax Administration office. Street-level imagery may be accessible through linked mapping tools.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Confidential details from exemption applications
How Long Does Scotland County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Scotland County are maintained permanently. The Register of Deeds is required by North Carolina law to preserve all recorded instruments in perpetuity, as these records form the legal foundation for property ownership and the chain of title. No recorded deed, deed of trust, lien, plat, or other instrument affecting title to real property is subject to destruction.
Legal Basis for Retention:
North Carolina's records retention requirements for county registers of deeds are established under the authority of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which publishes the North Carolina County Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property are classified as permanent records under this schedule and are never eligible for destruction.
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds — including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments — are maintained permanently from the date of recording. Recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases are permanent records even after the underlying obligation has been paid. All recorded liens, releases of liens, easements, restrictive covenants, subdivision plats, survey plats, condominium declarations, and lis pendens filings are permanent records. The Register of Deeds maintains records dating to Scotland County's formation in 1899, and instruments recorded prior to that date in the predecessor county records are preserved as well.
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the early twentieth century are preserved in bound deed books maintained in the Register of Deeds vault. Mid-century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scanned images in an electronic document management system with off-site backup. The Register of Deeds office has undertaken ongoing digitization efforts to make historical records accessible online, though the extent of online availability varies by time period.
Online Access by Time Period:
- Recent records (approximately last 20–30 years): Fully available online through the Register of Deeds search system
- Moderate age (20–50 years): Available on microfilm at the courthouse; some may be digitized
- Historical (50+ years): Available in original deed books or on microfilm; in-person access or staff-assisted retrieval required
- Very old records (100+ years): Maintained in archive storage; advance notice to the Register of Deeds is recommended for retrieval
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
The Scotland County Tax Administration maintains current and historical assessment records permanently as part of the official assessment roll. Property cards reflecting physical characteristics and valuation history are permanent records. Exemption applications are retained according to the applicable records retention schedule, which varies by document type.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under the North Carolina records retention schedule. Tax deed records resulting from tax foreclosure sales are permanent records maintained by the Register of Deeds. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution.
Chain of Title:
The unbroken chain of title for any parcel in Scotland County can be traced through the Register of Deeds index from the present back to the original land grants. Title searches conducted for real estate transactions review the chain of title for a minimum of thirty years as a standard practice, though a full abstract may extend back to the original conveyance from the state or federal government.
Contact for Historical Records:
Scotland County Register of Deeds
212 Biggs Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2575
Scotland County Register of Deeds
Members of the public seeking access to historical records should contact the Register of Deeds and specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time for records not available online ranges from same-day to several business days depending on the age and format of the record.
Scotland County Tax Administration
507 West Covington Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2566
Scotland County Tax Administration
Historical assessment records and property card information are available through the Tax Administration office for parcels where online records do not extend to the period of interest.
How To Find Liens on Property in Scotland County?
Liens on property in Scotland County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Scotland County Register of Deeds official records index. A lien search requires searching the grantor/grantee index by the property owner's name, as liens are indexed under the name of the debtor rather than the property address in most cases.
Types of Liens Recorded with the Register of Deeds:
- Deeds of trust and mortgages — Voluntary liens securing real estate loans
- Mechanic's liens — Filed by contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers for unpaid construction work
- Judgment liens — Arising from court judgments docketed in the county where the property is located
- Federal tax liens — Filed by the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid federal taxes
- State tax liens — Filed by the North Carolina Department of Revenue for unpaid state taxes
- HOA liens — Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Lis pendens — Notices of pending litigation affecting title
Step-by-Step Lien Search Process:
- Access the Register of Deeds online search system through the Scotland County Register of Deeds
- Select the grantor/grantee index search option
- Enter the current property owner's full legal name as it appears on the deed
- Search for all document types, or filter specifically for lien-related document types (deed of trust, lien, judgment, lis pendens)
- Review all results associated with the owner's name
- Note instrument numbers, recording dates, and amounts for any liens identified
- Click on individual instruments to view the document image and confirm the property description matches the subject parcel
- Repeat the search under any prior owner names if a full lien history is needed
Federal Tax Lien Searches:
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the taxpayer resides or owns property. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien index through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for confirmation. Federal tax lien searches at the Register of Deeds follow the same grantor/grantee index search process described above.
Judgment Lien Searches:
Judgment liens in North Carolina attach to real property in a county when the judgment is docketed in the Superior Court of that county. Judgment lien searches should be conducted through both the Register of Deeds index and the Scotland County Clerk of Superior Court's judgment docket.
Scotland County Clerk of Superior Court
212 Biggs Street
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Phone: (910) 277-2595
North Carolina Courts — Scotland County
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Delinquent Tax Liens:
Delinquent property tax liens in Scotland County are enforced through the Tax Administration office. Members of the public may search for delinquent tax status through the Scotland County Tax Administration property search portal. Properties with outstanding delinquent taxes are subject to foreclosure proceedings under North Carolina law.
In-Person Lien Searches:
Members of the public may conduct lien searches in person at the Register of Deeds office using public access terminals. Staff members are available to assist with index searches, though staff members do not provide legal advice regarding the effect of any lien on title. For a comprehensive lien search with a legal opinion, engagement of a licensed North Carolina attorney or title company is appropriate.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Scotland County?
The property owner rule in Scotland County refers to the body of North Carolina law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. North Carolina follows the common law tradition of fee simple ownership, under which a property owner holds the broadest possible interest in real property, subject only to governmental regulations, recorded encumbrances, and the rights of others established by law.
Establishing Ownership:
Legal ownership of real property in Scotland County is established by a recorded deed. Under North Carolina's recording statutes, a deed must be executed, acknowledged before a notary public, and registered with the Scotland County Register of Deeds to be effective against subsequent purchasers and creditors. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties to the transaction but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.
Forms of Ownership:
North Carolina law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership of real property:
- Tenancy in common — Two or more owners each hold an undivided fractional interest; each co-tenant may convey or encumber their interest independently, and upon death the interest passes through the owner's estate
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal undivided interests with the right of survivorship; upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant or tenants take the deceased owner's interest by operation of law
- Tenancy by the entirety — Available only to legally married spouses; neither spouse may convey or encumber the property without the other's consent, and the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse upon death
- Trust ownership — A trustee holds legal title for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries under the terms of a trust instrument
- Entity ownership — Corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other legal entities may own real property in North Carolina; the entity's authorized representative executes deeds on behalf of the entity
Transfer of Ownership:
Real property in Scotland County may be transferred by deed during the owner's lifetime or by will or intestate succession upon the owner's death. Deeds must identify the grantor and grantee, contain a legal description of the property, state the consideration paid or recite nominal consideration, be signed by the grantor, be acknowledged before a notary public, and be recorded with the Register of Deeds. North Carolina does not impose a state deed transfer tax, but excise tax (also called revenue stamps) is collected at the rate of $2.00 per $1,000 of the sale price at the time of recording.
Property Owner Rights:
Property owners in Scotland County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, mortgage, and convey their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and recorded easements. The right to exclude others from the property is a fundamental attribute of ownership under North Carolina law. Property owners are entitled to notice and a hearing before the government may take or substantially restrict their property under the constitutional protections of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 19 of the North Carolina Constitution.
Property Owner Obligations:
Property owners in Scotland County are obligated to pay annual property taxes assessed by the Tax Administration office. Failure to pay property taxes results in the attachment of a tax lien and, ultimately, tax foreclosure proceedings. Property owners are also subject to applicable zoning ordinances, building codes, and code enforcement regulations administered by the Scotland County Planning and Development department. Owners of property subject to HOA declarations are bound by the covenants, conditions, and restrictions recorded against the property.
Adverse Possession:
North Carolina law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possesses another's land for a period of twenty years may acquire legal title. A claim of adverse possession based on color of title requires only seven years of possession. Adverse possession claims are adjudicated in the North Carolina Superior Court and, if successful, result in a court order that is recorded with the Register of Deeds to establish title.
Eminent Domain:
Scotland County and the State of North Carolina hold the power of eminent domain to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Property owners subject to condemnation proceedings have the right to contest the amount of compensation offered through proceedings in the North Carolina Superior Court. The North Carolina Department of Transportation and other state agencies exercise eminent domain authority for public infrastructure projects affecting Scotland County properties.