New Resident Guide · Tavares, Florida
Lake CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Lake County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Clermont, Tavares, Mount Dora, Leesburg, Eustis, 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
Lake County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. The official site is lakecopropappr.com — a look-alike .org site is not the county office.
Tax Collector
Lake County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license and ID services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Lake County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Lake County Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School Locator →Official Records / Deeds
Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses, passports, and court records.
Building & Permitting
Lake County Building Services
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Lake County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Lake 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
Lake County electric is a patchwork — a single city can be split among Duke, the SECO co-op, and a city utility. Among these cities, only Leesburg and Mount Dora run their own electric. Confirm by address.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: The largest share of the county, including most of Clermont and Eustis, plus parts of Leesburg and Tavares.
SECO Energy (co-op)
Serves: Much of central/north Lake County, including most of Tavares and parts of Leesburg, Clermont, and Eustis.
City of Leesburg Electric
Serves: Customers inside the City of Leesburg electric area.
Water & Sewer
There is no single county water utility. Inside a city, use the city. In unincorporated Lake County, service comes from private utilities, special districts, or a private well & septic — confirm by address.
Natural Gas
Many Lake County homes use propane or are all-electric; piped gas is limited.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Parts of the Lake County region — confirm availability by address.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated curbside collection is included via the county's annual Solid Waste Assessment; city residents use their city's hauler.
Lake County Solid Waste
Serves: Curbside garbage, recycling, and bulk pickup in unincorporated Lake County.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Spectrum (Charter)
Serves: Cable internet and TV across much 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.
Lake County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Lake County, FL?
Lake County electric is a patchwork — a single city can be split among Duke Energy, the SECO co-op, and a municipal utility. Duke serves the largest share (including most of Clermont and Eustis); SECO Energy covers much of central/north Lake; and only Leesburg and Mount Dora run their own city electric. Confirm your provider by address.
How do I set up water service in Lake County?
If your home is inside a city — Clermont, Tavares, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Eustis, or Groveland — set up water through that city's utility office. There is no single county water utility; in unincorporated areas, service comes from private utilities, special districts, or a private well and septic, so confirm by address.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Lake County?
File with the Lake County Property Appraiser at lakecopropappr.com or (352) 253-2150. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year. Note the official site is lakecopropappr.com.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Lake County?
The Lake County Tax Collector (laketax.com, (352) 343-9602) handles vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license services in Tavares, Leesburg, and Clermont. 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 Lake County?
Register or update your address through the Lake County Supervisor of Elections at lakevotes.gov or (352) 343-9734. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Lake 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 Lake 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.