New Resident Guide · Bartow, Florida
Polk CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Polk County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Lakeland, Winter Haven, Davenport, Haines City, Bartow, 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
Polk County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. The office recently moved to the domain polkflpa.gov.
Tax Collector
Polk 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
Polk County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Polk County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Attendance-zone locator →Official Records / Deeds
Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Polk County Building Division
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Polk County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Polk 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
Among these cities, only Lakeland and Bartow run their own electric. Everywhere else is Duke Energy or Tampa Electric (TECO), split by address.
Lakeland Electric
Serves: City of Lakeland and immediate surrounding area (municipal).
City of Bartow Electric
Serves: City of Bartow (municipal — also water, sewer, garbage).
Tampa Electric (TECO)
Serves: Winter Haven, Auburndale, Mulberry, Lake Wales, and parts of Lakeland.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Much of rural/north Polk plus the Auburndale, Haines City, and Davenport areas.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, use the city. In unincorporated areas, it's Polk County Utilities.
Polk County Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated Polk County (water & wastewater).
City of Winter Haven
Serves: City of Winter Haven (water, sewer, garbage).
Natural Gas
Two natural-gas providers serve Polk; which one depends on location. There is no public city-run gas utility.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Much of Polk County, including the Lakeland area.
Trash & Recycling
Inside a city, trash is handled by the city; in unincorporated areas, by the county.
Polk County Waste & Recycling
Serves: Garbage, recycling, and yard waste in unincorporated Polk County.
City of Winter Haven Solid Waste
Serves: City of Winter Haven (billed with water).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site. Order through the official website to avoid reseller lines.
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.
Polk County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Polk County, FL?
Among the larger cities, only Lakeland (Lakeland Electric) and Bartow run their own electric utility. Everywhere else is Duke Energy or Tampa Electric (TECO), split by address — TECO covers Winter Haven, Auburndale, Mulberry, and Lake Wales, while Duke covers much of rural/north Polk and the Haines City/Davenport area. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Polk County?
If your home is inside a city — Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, or Auburndale — set up water through that city's utility office. In unincorporated areas, call Polk County Utilities at (863) 298-4100.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Polk County?
File with the Polk County Property Appraiser at polkflpa.gov or (863) 534-4777. 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 Polk County?
The Polk County Tax Collector (polktaxes.com, (863) 534-4700) 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 Polk County?
Register or update your address through the Polk County Supervisor of Elections at polkelections.gov or (863) 534-5888. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Polk 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 Polk 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.