New Resident Guide · Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Sarasota County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Siesta Key, 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
Sarasota 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
Sarasota 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
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Sarasota County Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Sarasota 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
Sarasota County Planning & Development Services
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Sarasota County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports for unincorporated areas; Sarasota and Venice have their own police departments. 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 sole electric utility countywide — no municipal electric or co-op.
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Serves: All of Sarasota County — Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Siesta Key, Englewood, and unincorporated areas.
Water & Sewer
Four systems by address — the three cities run their own; the county serves unincorporated areas.
Sarasota County Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated county (most of Osprey, Siesta Key, Englewood, Nokomis).
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas is the only piped-gas provider; the City of Sarasota does not run a gas utility. Many homes are all-electric.
Trash & Recycling
Inside a city, trash is handled by the city. Unincorporated county is franchised by zone (Waste Pro north, FCC south) — start with the county.
Sarasota County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county (routes you to the correct hauler).
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.
Sarasota County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Sarasota County, FL?
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the sole electric utility across the county — Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Siesta Key, Englewood, and unincorporated areas. There is no municipal electric or co-op. Set up service at (888) 988-8249.
How do I set up water service in Sarasota County?
It depends on the address. The cities of Sarasota, Venice, and North Port each run their own water/sewer inside city limits; Sarasota County Utilities ((941) 861-6790) serves unincorporated areas (most of Osprey, Siesta Key, Englewood, and Nokomis).
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Sarasota County?
File with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser at sc-pa.com or (941) 861-8200. 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 Sarasota County?
The Sarasota County Tax Collector (sarasotataxcollector.gov, (941) 861-8300) handles vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license services, with offices in Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. 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 Sarasota County?
Register or update your address through the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections at sarasotavotes.gov or (941) 861-8600. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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.