New Resident Guide · Jacksonville, Florida
Duval CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Duval County (Jacksonville)? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled — power and water (JEA), trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Duval is a consolidated city-county: the City of Jacksonville government is the county government. 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
Duval 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
Duval 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
Duval County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Duval County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School locator →Official Records / Deeds
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Jacksonville Building Inspection Division
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences. The Beaches and Baldwin issue their own permits.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Jacksonville 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
JEA (the municipal utility) covers most of Duval. The Beaches split off — but Atlantic Beach is JEA, not Beaches Energy. Confirm by address.
JEA
Serves: City of Jacksonville and most of Duval County (municipal electric, water & sewer).
Beaches Energy Services
Serves: Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach (NOT Atlantic Beach, which is JEA).
Water & Sewer
JEA provides water and sewer across most of the county.
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas is the piped-gas utility where mains exist; many homes are all-electric.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Jacksonville / Duval County where gas mains exist.
Trash & Recycling
The Beaches and Baldwin run their own collection; everywhere else is the city.
City of Jacksonville Solid Waste
Serves: City of Jacksonville curbside collection.
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.
Duval County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Duval County (Jacksonville), FL?
JEA, the municipal utility, serves the City of Jacksonville and most of Duval County. The Beaches are split: Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach are served by Beaches Energy Services, but Atlantic Beach is JEA. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Duval County?
JEA provides water and sewer across most of the county, including the Beaches — call (904) 665-6000. The Town of Baldwin runs its own system.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Duval County?
File with the Duval County Property Appraiser at jacksonville.gov (Property Appraiser) or (904) 255-5900. 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 Duval County?
The Duval County Tax Collector (taxcollector.jacksonville.gov, (904) 255-5700) handles vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license services. 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 Duval County?
Register or update your address through the Duval County Supervisor of Elections at duvalelections.gov or (904) 255-8683. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Duval 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 Duval 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.