New Resident Guide · Port St. Joe, Florida
Gulf CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Gulf County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, Cape San Blas, 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
Gulf 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
Gulf County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services (at the courthouse). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Gulf County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Gulf District Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Gulf County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Gulf County Building Department
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Gulf County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Gulf 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
Port St. Joe is Duke; Wewahitchka and the rural north are the Gulf Coast co-op.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: City of Port St. Joe and most coastal/eastern Gulf County.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC)
Serves: Wewahitchka and rural/north Gulf County.
Water & Sewer
Provider depends on exact location — the City of Port St. Joe bills water/sewer for several unincorporated beach areas.
City of Port St. Joe Utilities
Serves: City limits plus St. Joe Beach, WindMark, and Highland View; water to Beacon Hill.
Gulf County Water Department
Serves: Cape San Blas and unincorporated beach/county systems.
Natural Gas
Piped gas exists in/near Port St. Joe; outlying areas use propane.
St. Joe Gas Company
Serves: Piped natural gas in/near Port St. Joe (and propane to outlying areas).
Trash & Recycling
Only Port St. Joe provides residential curbside; unincorporated residents self-haul to the landfill/transfer station.
City of Port St. Joe
Serves: City residents (curbside on the city utility bill).
Gulf County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county (landfill plus the Wetappo Transfer Station near Wewahitchka).
Internet & TV
Availability varies by address — check each provider's site.
Mediacom
Serves: Port St. Joe and Gulf County (the primary wired ISP).
Conexon Connect (fiber)
Serves: The Gulf Coast co-op fiber footprint (rural NW Gulf County) — check availability.
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.
Gulf County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Gulf County, FL?
The City of Port St. Joe and most coastal/eastern areas are Duke Energy; Wewahitchka and the rural north are the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Gulf County?
It depends on exact location. The City of Port St. Joe ((850) 229-8261) bills water/sewer for the city and several unincorporated beach areas (St. Joe Beach, WindMark, Highland View); Cape San Blas is Gulf County Water; and Wewahitchka runs its own. Don't assume 'unincorporated = county water.'
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Gulf County?
File with the Gulf County Property Appraiser at gulfpa.com or (850) 229-6115. 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 Gulf County?
The Gulf County Tax Collector (gulftaxcollector.com, (850) 229-6116) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses (at the courthouse — call ahead for hours). New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Gulf County?
Register or update your address through the Gulf County Supervisor of Elections at votegulf.gov or (850) 229-6117. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Gulf 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 Gulf 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.