New Resident Guide · Ocala, Florida
Marion CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Marion County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Ocala, Belleview, Dunnellon, 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
Marion 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
Marion 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
Marion County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Marion County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Zoning / boundary maps →Official Records / Deeds
Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (Official Records: (352) 671-5630); also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Marion County Building Safety
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Marion County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Marion 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
Three providers interlock across Marion — confirm by exact address.
Ocala Electric Utility (OEU)
Serves: City of Ocala and adjacent unincorporated areas just outside the city (municipal).
SECO Energy (co-op)
Serves: South and southwest Marion — Belleview, Summerfield, and most of the Marion portion of The Villages.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Much of unincorporated Marion (east/north county) and the northernmost part of The Villages.
Water & Sewer
Inside Ocala the city bills electric + water + sewer on one account. Dunnellon's water is run by FGUA.
Marion County Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated Marion County (water & wastewater).
City of Ocala Water Resources
Serves: Inside the City of Ocala (same Citizens' Service Center as city electric).
FGUA — Dunnellon
Serves: Dunnellon (water/sewer; FGUA took over the city system in 2018).
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas serves Ocala and parts of the county on the gas main; many homes are all-electric or on propane.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Ocala and parts of Marion County where gas mains exist.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated Marion has no county curbside — residents hire a private hauler (an annual assessment covers recycling centers + landfill). Cities run their own.
Marion County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated Marion (recycling centers + landfill; private-hauler curbside).
City of Ocala Sanitation
Serves: City of Ocala curbside garbage, yard, and bulk.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Cox Communications
Serves: Select Ocala-area neighborhoods (fiber/cable) — 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.
Marion County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Marion County, FL?
Three providers interlock: Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) serves the City of Ocala and nearby unincorporated areas; SECO Energy (a co-op) serves south/southwest Marion including Belleview, Summerfield, and most of the Marion portion of The Villages; and Duke Energy serves much of east/north unincorporated Marion. Confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Marion County?
Inside the City of Ocala, the city bills electric, water, and sewer together at (352) 629-2489. Belleview runs its own water; Dunnellon's water/sewer is run by FGUA ((877) 657-8889); and unincorporated areas use Marion County Utilities at (352) 307-6000.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Marion County?
File with the Marion County Property Appraiser at pa.marion.fl.us or (352) 368-8300. 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 Marion County?
The Marion County Tax Collector (mariontax.com, (352) 368-8200) 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 Marion County?
Register or update your address through the Marion County Supervisor of Elections at votemarion.gov or (352) 620-3290. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Marion 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 Marion 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.