New Resident Guide · Arcadia, Florida
DeSoto CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within DeSoto County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Arcadia and the rest of the county — power, water, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. The county has no piped natural gas (homes use propane). 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
DeSoto 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
DeSoto County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates (tags (863) 993-4865), and handle driver license services (by appointment, (863) 993-4793). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
School District of DeSoto County
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children (call Student Services to confirm assignment).
Official Records / Deeds
DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
DeSoto County Development Services
Permits and inspections for unincorporated DeSoto County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports (South County: (941) 743-6777). 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
The City of Arcadia does NOT sell electricity — it's FPL (city/urban) and PRECO (rural) only. Confirm by address.
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Serves: The City of Arcadia and the more developed parts of DeSoto.
Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO)
Serves: Rural unincorporated DeSoto County.
Water & Sewer
Inside Arcadia, the city; unincorporated areas are county where mains exist (much of rural DeSoto is well & septic).
City of Arcadia Utility Billing
Serves: Water/sewer/reclaimed inside Arcadia city limits.
DeSoto County Utilities
Serves: Water/sewer in unincorporated areas (incl. Lake Suzy) where mains exist.
Trash & Recycling
Three-tier: city curbside, a franchise hauler for unincorporated, and the county landfill for self-haul.
City of Arcadia Solid Waste
Serves: Curbside pickup inside Arcadia city limits.
Womack Sanitation
Serves: Curbside for unincorporated DeSoto County.
DeSoto County Landfill
Serves: Self-haul and recycling drop-off, countywide.
Internet & TV
Spectrum and Frontier do not serve DeSoto; AT&T is 5G-only here.
CenturyLink
Serves: The wired incumbent with the widest coverage (DSL/fiber).
Xfinity (Comcast)
Serves: Arcadia plus Nocatee and Lake Suzy (built out 2024).
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.
DeSoto County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in DeSoto County, FL?
The City of Arcadia does NOT run an electric utility — power is FPL in the city and more developed areas, and Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) in rural unincorporated areas. There's no published street-level boundary, so confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in DeSoto County?
Inside Arcadia, the city provides water/sewer at (863) 494-4114. Unincorporated areas (including Lake Suzy) use DeSoto County Utilities at (863) 491-7500 where mains exist; much of rural DeSoto is on a private well and septic.
Is there natural gas in DeSoto County?
No — there's no piped natural-gas utility for homes. DeSoto is propane (LP) territory via private dealers, so budget for propane if a listing has gas appliances.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to DeSoto County?
The DeSoto County Tax Collector (desototaxcollector.com, (863) 993-4861) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags ((863) 993-4865), and driver licenses by appointment ((863) 993-4793). New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in DeSoto County?
Register or update your address through the DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections at votedesotofl.gov or (863) 993-4871. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this DeSoto 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 DeSoto 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.