New Resident Guide · Palatka, Florida
Putnam CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Putnam County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Palatka, Interlachen, Crescent City, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and 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
Putnam 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
Putnam County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license/ID services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Putnam County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Putnam County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Zoning maps →Official Records / Deeds
Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Putnam County Development Services
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Putnam County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. 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
Clay Electric and FPL split the county, sometimes street by street — verify by address.
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: Rural Putnam — Welaka, Interlachen, Crescent City, Bostwick, Hollister, Florahome.
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Serves: Palatka, East Palatka, and the largest provider in Interlachen and Crescent City.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, use the city; unincorporated areas are county (or private well/septic).
Putnam County Public Works
Serves: Unincorporated county water/wastewater.
City of Crescent City Utility Billing
Serves: Crescent City (water, sewer, gas, garbage).
Natural Gas
Piped gas is essentially the Palatka area only; rural Putnam is all-electric or propane.
Palatka Gas Authority
Serves: City of Palatka and the East Palatka area (municipal gas).
Trash & Recycling
Garbage is curbside (Waste Pro) in the unincorporated county; countywide curbside recycling was discontinued in 2025 (self-haul to centers).
Putnam County Sanitation
Serves: Unincorporated county curbside garbage (via Waste Pro) plus landfill/centers.
Waste Pro (Putnam)
Serves: Contracted curbside hauler for the unincorporated county.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Kinetic by Windstream
Serves: Fiber/DSL — the dominant wireline ISP across rural Putnam and Palatka.
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.
Putnam County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Putnam County, FL?
Clay Electric Cooperative and FPL split the county — sometimes street by street. Clay serves rural Putnam (Welaka, Interlachen, Crescent City, Florahome); FPL serves Palatka, East Palatka, and is the larger provider in Interlachen and Crescent City. There's no clean map line, so verify by address.
How do I set up water service in Putnam County?
Inside Palatka ((386) 329-0100) or Crescent City ((386) 698-2525), use the city. Unincorporated areas use Putnam County Public Works at (386) 329-0340 (many rural homes are on a private well and septic).
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Putnam County?
File with the Putnam County Property Appraiser at pa.putnam-fl.com or (386) 329-0286. 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 Putnam County?
The Putnam County Tax Collector (putnamtax.com, (386) 329-0282) 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 Putnam County?
Register or update your address through the Putnam County Supervisor of Elections at voteputnamflorida.gov or (386) 329-0224. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Putnam 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 Putnam 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.