New Resident Guide · Clearwater, Florida
Pinellas CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Pinellas County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, 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
Pinellas 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
Pinellas 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
Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Pinellas County Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School locator →Official Records / Deeds
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (Recording: (727) 464-3223); also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Pinellas County Building Services
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Pinellas County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Pinellas 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
Duke Energy is the electric utility countywide. (St. Petersburg and Clearwater are studying municipal alternatives, but Duke is the provider today.)
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, and essentially all of Pinellas.
Water & Sewer
Fragmented by city. The county serves unincorporated areas and bills water for some cities (e.g., Largo); other cities run their own.
Pinellas County Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated Pinellas, plus billing for some cities including Largo.
Natural Gas
Two gas providers: a municipal system in the north and Peoples Gas in the south.
Clearwater Gas System (CGS Energy)
Serves: North Pinellas — Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar (and west Pasco).
Trash & Recycling
Pinellas County does NOT provide curbside in most unincorporated areas — residents hire a private hauler. Cities run their own collection.
Pinellas County Solid Waste
Serves: Disposal/recycling info countywide; curbside only in the Lealman district.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
WOW! (WideOpenWest)
Serves: Cable in much of Pinellas incl. St. Petersburg/Seminole — 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.
Pinellas County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Pinellas County, FL?
Duke Energy Florida is the electric utility for the entire county, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Pinellas Park. (St. Petersburg and Clearwater have studied forming municipal utilities, but Duke is the current provider — set up service at (800) 700-8744.)
How do I set up water service in Pinellas County?
It's fragmented. Pinellas County Utilities ((727) 464-4000) serves unincorporated areas and bills water for some cities (e.g., Largo). St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Dunedin each run their own water — call that city. Confirm your provider by address.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Pinellas County?
File with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser at pcpao.gov or (727) 464-3207. 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 Pinellas County?
The Pinellas County Tax Collector (pinellastaxcollector.gov, (727) 464-7777) 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 Pinellas County?
Register or update your address through the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections at votepinellas.gov or (727) 464-8683. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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.