New Resident Guide · Lake City, Florida
Columbia CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Columbia County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Lake City, Fort White, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, 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
Columbia 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
Columbia County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Columbia County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Find My School →Official Records / Deeds
Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Columbia County Building Department
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Columbia County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Columbia 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
Three providers split the county by address. Note: Lake City has no municipal electric (it runs water/sewer/gas only).
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: The Lake City area and much of central/north Columbia County.
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC)
Serves: Western Columbia County toward the Suwannee line.
Water & Sewer
County and Lake City water/sewer operations moved to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority in 2025.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority (NFWUA)
Serves: Columbia County and the City of Lake City (water & sewer).
Natural Gas
Piped gas is the City of Lake City system; rural areas use propane.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated curbside is hauled by Waste Pro; the county runs the landfill/recycling.
Columbia County Solid Waste
Serves: County recycling and landfill.
Waste Pro (Lake City)
Serves: Once-weekly curbside garbage and yard waste in the unincorporated county.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
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.
Columbia County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Columbia County, FL?
Three providers split the county: Clay Electric Cooperative covers the Lake City area and much of central/north Columbia; Duke Energy covers Fort White and the south; and Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative covers the west. Note Lake City has no municipal electric, so confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Columbia County?
Both county and Lake City water/sewer operations moved to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority (NFWUA) in 2025 — call (386) 984-7342.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Columbia County?
File with the Columbia County Property Appraiser at columbia.floridapa.com or (386) 758-1083. 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 Columbia County?
The Columbia County Tax Collector (columbiataxcollector.com, (386) 758-1077) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses. 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 Columbia County?
Register or update your address through the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections at votecolumbiafl.gov or (386) 758-1026. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Columbia 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 Columbia 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.