New Resident Guide · Trenton, Florida
Gilchrist CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Gilchrist County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Trenton, Bell, Fanning Springs, 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), and most parcels outside Trenton are on a private well and septic. 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
Gilchrist 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
Gilchrist 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
Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Gilchrist County Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Gilchrist County Clerk of Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Gilchrist County Building / Permitting
Permits and inspections for Gilchrist County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Gilchrist 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
CFEC covers most of the county; Clay Electric covers the eastern edge — confirm by address.
Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC)
Serves: Most of the county — Trenton, Bell, Fanning Springs, and rural areas.
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: The northeast/eastern edge toward Alachua County.
Water & Sewer
Only Trenton has municipal water; most of the county is private well & septic.
Trash & Recycling
No curbside — residents use county drop-off centers (bring proof of residency).
Gilchrist County Solid Waste & Recycling
Serves: Countywide drop-off centers (Bell, Trenton, High Springs sites).
Internet & TV
Wired service is concentrated near Trenton; rural homes often use satellite.
Kinetic by Windstream
Serves: Trenton and parts of the county (DSL/fiber).
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.
Gilchrist County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Gilchrist County, FL?
Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) covers most of the county (Trenton, Bell, Fanning Springs); Clay Electric covers the eastern edge toward Alachua County. Confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Gilchrist County?
Only the City of Trenton ((352) 463-4000) has municipal water/sewer. Most of the county outside Trenton is on a private well and septic — budget for testing/pumping.
Is there natural gas in Gilchrist County?
No — there's no piped natural-gas utility. Homes run on propane (LP) or electric, so set up an LP account before closing if needed.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Gilchrist County?
The Gilchrist County Tax Collector (gilchristtax.com, (352) 463-3178) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses at one Trenton office. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Gilchrist County?
Register or update your address through the Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections at votegilchrist.com or (352) 463-3194. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Gilchrist 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 Gilchrist 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.