New Resident Guide · Milton, Florida
Santa Rosa CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Santa Rosa County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pace, 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
Santa Rosa 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
Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. Offices in Milton, Pace, Midway/Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Santa Rosa County District Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (Recording: (850) 983-1966); also court records.
Building & Permitting
Santa Rosa County Development Services
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Santa Rosa County. Cities permit separately.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Santa Rosa 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
Most of the county is FPL (the former Gulf Power); the rural north is an electric co-op.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) — Northwest
Serves: Most of the county — Milton, Pace, Navarre, Gulf Breeze.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC)
Serves: Northern Santa Rosa County — Jay and the rural north.
Water & Sewer
Water is a patchwork of small systems — always confirm the provider by exact address.
Holley-Navarre Water System
Serves: Navarre and the Holley area (water & sewer).
South Santa Rosa Utility System (Gulf Breeze)
Serves: South county, Midway, Tiger Point, and the City of Gulf Breeze.
Natural Gas
Two gas providers by area; much of the rural county uses propane.
Okaloosa Gas District
Serves: Pace, the Milton area, and expanding mid-county.
Gulf Breeze Natural Gas (City of Gulf Breeze)
Serves: The Gulf Breeze peninsula to the west edge of Holley-by-the-Sea.
Trash & Recycling
The county dissolved its garbage franchise in 2025 — unincorporated residents now sign up directly with a private hauler. City residents keep city pickup.
Santa Rosa County (open market)
Serves: Unincorporated county — choose an approved hauler (Waste Pro, Adam's, J&L, PU).
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.
Santa Rosa County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Santa Rosa County, FL?
Most of the county — Milton, Pace, Navarre, Gulf Breeze — is FPL (the former Gulf Power). The rural north (Jay and Berrydale) is the Escambia River Electric Cooperative. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Santa Rosa County?
Water is a patchwork of small systems: Navarre is Holley-Navarre Water System; the south county/Gulf Breeze is the South Santa Rosa Utility System; Milton runs its own; plus East Milton and Pace Water pockets. Always confirm your provider by exact address.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Santa Rosa County?
File with the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser at srcpa.gov or (850) 983-1880. 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 Santa Rosa County?
The Santa Rosa County Tax Collector (srctc.com, (850) 983-1800) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses, with offices in Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. 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 Santa Rosa County?
Register or update your address through the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections at votesantarosa.gov or (850) 983-1900. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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.