New Resident Guide · Gainesville, Florida
Alachua CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Alachua County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, Newberry, and the rest of the county — power, water, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Alachua County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Alachua County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services (by appointment). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Alachua County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Alachua County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School zone locator →Official Records / Deeds
Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Alachua County Growth Management
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Alachua County. Cities issue their own permits.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Split several ways — Gainesville is GRU, but Alachua and Newberry run their own city electric, and rural areas are Clay Electric or Duke. Confirm by address.
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU)
Serves: City of Gainesville and parts of the county (electric, water, sewer, gas).
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: Rural/southeast Alachua, Cross Creek, and the High Springs area.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Archer and pockets of western/southern county.
Water & Sewer
GRU serves Gainesville; the smaller cities run their own.
Natural Gas
Piped gas is essentially Gainesville-only; outside the city many homes use propane or electric.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated county curbside (recycling included) is the county; cities bill trash on the city utility account.
Alachua County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county curbside (recycling and weekly bulk).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
AT&T Fiber
Serves: Fiber on the east side; DSL/wireless elsewhere — check by address.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Alachua County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Alachua County, FL?
It's split several ways. Gainesville is served by GRU (Gainesville Regional Utilities); the cities of Alachua and Newberry run their own municipal electric; High Springs is Clay Electric/Duke; and Archer is Duke. Always confirm by exact street address.
How do I set up water service in Alachua County?
In Gainesville it's GRU at (352) 334-3434 (which also does sewer and gas). The cities of Alachua, High Springs, and Newberry each run their own water/sewer on a city bill.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Alachua County?
File with the Alachua County Property Appraiser at acpafl.org or (352) 374-5230. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Alachua County?
The Alachua County Tax Collector (alachuacollector.com, (352) 374-5236) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses (appointments recommended). New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days and register their vehicles within 10 days of starting work or enrolling children in school.
How do I register to vote in Alachua County?
Register or update your address through the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections at votealachua.gov or (352) 374-5252. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Alachua County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Alachua County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.