Shelby County, Iowa, has 11 communities and four unincorporated towns. In Shelby County, IA, property records serve as the validated inventory of land parcels and associated attributes used by various agencies to make informed zoning and taxation decisions.

Shelby County property records show a median home value of $152,266, a median rent of $797, and a median household income of $74,407, which offers a detailed view of the local housing market and economic conditions. Furthermore, Shelby County collects a median property tax rate of 1.21%.

Property records in Shelby County, IA, are regulated by the  County Recorder. Since its establishment in 1839, the office has recorded realty-related instruments, including deeds, maps, liens, surveys, and plats. After recording, they index the documents by grantor/grantee, recording date, and legal description to enable a seamless future retrieval.

Various office storage vaults house all indexed instruments from 1854 onwards. To ensure public access, the Recorder's office at 612 Court St., Harlan, IA 51537, caters to visitors wishing to research records and obtain copies directly from these vaults during office hours.

Acquiring copies costs $1 per page for regular documents. If one requires certified copies, each certification costs $5 with an additional $1 per page copy fee. Contact the Recorder's office at (712) 755-5640 for further inquiries.

For those who prefer online access to records, the Recorder's office has collaborated with Cott Systems, Inc. to launch the  Records Hub website. This platform allows registered users to search for historical real estate documents remotely. Additionally, the public can use the  Iowa Land Records database. This website contains property records uploaded by County Recorders across the state.

To verify zoning on properties, contact the  Shelby County Planning and Zoning Department through its Administrator at (712) 755-5718. This office oversees the zoning of properties outside city limits. For the zoning verification of properties within city boundaries, consult the local zoning office. They hold the most recent zoning records for the properties under their jurisdiction.