New Resident Guide · Miami, Florida
Miami-Dade CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Miami-Dade County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled — power (FPL), water (Miami-Dade Water & Sewer), trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Many cities run their own services, so confirm by your municipality. 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
Miami-Dade 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
Miami-Dade Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. A separate elected office since 2024.
Supervisor of Elections
Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (County Recorder); also court records.
Building & Permitting
Miami-Dade Regulatory & Economic Resources
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Miami-Dade. Incorporated cities run their own building departments.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters for unincorporated areas; many cities have their own police. 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
FPL is the electric utility countywide.
Water & Sewer
Several cities run their own water (Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Homestead, North Miami) — confirm by municipality.
Miami-Dade Water & Sewer (WASD)
Serves: Miami, unincorporated areas, and many cities (Doral, Miami Gardens, etc.).
Natural Gas
Two gas utilities serve different neighborhoods; most homes have neither unless gas mains exist.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Portions of Miami-Dade (incl. north/northeast areas).
Florida City Gas
Serves: Portions of Miami-Dade (Homestead/South Dade and coastal corridor).
Trash & Recycling
Incorporated cities handle their own collection; the county serves unincorporated areas.
Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management
Serves: Unincorporated Miami-Dade (or dial 311).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
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.
Miami-Dade County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Miami-Dade County, FL?
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the electric utility for virtually all of Miami-Dade. Set up service at (888) 988-8249.
How do I set up water service in Miami-Dade County?
Miami-Dade Water & Sewer (WASD, (305) 665-7477) serves Miami, unincorporated areas, and many cities. But several cities run their own water — Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Homestead, and North Miami — so confirm by your municipality.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Miami-Dade County?
File with the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser at miamidadepa.gov or (305) 375-4712. 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 Miami-Dade County?
The Miami-Dade Tax Collector (mdctaxcollector.gov, (305) 375-5448) — a separate elected office since 2024 — 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 Miami-Dade County?
Register or update your address through the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections at votemiamidade.gov or (305) 499-8683. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade 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.