New Resident Guide · Tampa, Florida
Hillsborough CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Hillsborough County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and the rest of the county — turn on the power and water, set up trash, file your homestead exemption, register to vote, and find 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
Hillsborough 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
Hillsborough 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
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School locator maps →Official Records / Deeds
Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Hillsborough County Development Services
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Hillsborough County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports for unincorporated areas; cities may have their own police department. 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
Tampa Electric (TECO) is effectively the only electric utility — there is no municipal electric in Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City.
Tampa Electric (TECO)
Serves: Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and essentially all of Hillsborough County.
Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO)
Serves: Rural/eastern edges of the county outside TECO's lines.
Water & Sewer
Water/sewer follows city limits — the most common mix-up. Only unincorporated addresses use the county.
Hillsborough County Public Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated Hillsborough County only.
City of Tampa Utilities
Serves: Inside Tampa city limits (water, sewer, and trash on one account).
City of Temple Terrace Utility Billing
Serves: City of Temple Terrace.
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas is the gas provider; there is no city-run gas utility. Many homes are all-electric.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Tampa and Hillsborough County, where gas mains exist.
Trash & Recycling
Inside a city, trash is handled by the city. Note: New Tampa/Tampa Palms are inside Tampa but trash there is collected by the county.
Hillsborough County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county (including New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter's Green).
City of Tampa Solid Waste
Serves: Inside Tampa city limits (generally south of Fowler Ave).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Spectrum (Charter)
Serves: Cable internet and TV across most of the county.
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.
Hillsborough County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Hillsborough County, FL?
Tampa Electric (TECO) is effectively the only electric utility, serving Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and essentially all of the county. There is no municipal electric utility; only the rural eastern edges fall to a co-op (Peace River Electric).
How do I set up water service in Hillsborough County?
Water/sewer follows city limits. Inside Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City, set up service through that city. Only unincorporated addresses use Hillsborough County Public Utilities at (813) 307-1000.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Hillsborough County?
File with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser at hcpafl.org or (813) 272-6100. 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 Hillsborough County?
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector (hillstaxfl.gov, (813) 635-5200) 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 Hillsborough County?
Register or update your address through the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections at votehillsborough.gov or (813) 744-5900. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough 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.