New Resident Guide · Fort Myers, Florida
Lee CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Lee County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, and the rest of the county. Electric and water are split by area — confirm by your address. 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
Lee 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
Lee 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
Lee County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
The School District of Lee County
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Lee County Community Development
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Lee County. Cities run their own building departments.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Lee County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports (24-hour). 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
Electric is split: confirm by address near city lines. Lehigh Acres is split between both.
LCEC (Lee County Electric Cooperative)
Serves: Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, and parts of Lehigh Acres.
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Serves: City of Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, and the balance of Lehigh Acres.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, use the city. Unincorporated areas use Lee County Utilities.
City of Cape Coral Utilities
Serves: City of Cape Coral (water/sewer/irrigation).
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas serves gas areas; many homes are all-electric.
Trash & Recycling
Inside a city, trash is the city's; unincorporated is the county.
Lee County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated Lee curbside collection and drop-off facilities.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Brightspeed
Serves: DSL/fiber in former CenturyLink areas — check by address.
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.
Lee County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Lee County, FL?
It's split. LCEC (Lee County Electric Cooperative) serves Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Island; FPL serves the City of Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Fort Myers Beach. Lehigh Acres is split between both — confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Lee County?
Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Bonita Springs each run their own water utility; unincorporated addresses use Lee County Utilities at (239) 533-8845. Use the address, not the mailing city.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Lee County?
File with the Lee County Property Appraiser at leepa.org or (239) 533-6100. 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 Lee County?
The Lee County Tax Collector (leetc.com, (239) 533-6000) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses. 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 Lee County?
Register or update your address through the Lee County Supervisor of Elections at lee.vote or (239) 533-8683. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Lee 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 Lee 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.