New Resident Guide · Sanford, Florida
Seminole CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Seminole County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, 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
Seminole 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
Seminole 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
Seminole County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
School Zone Search →Official Records / Deeds
Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses, passports, and court records.
Building & Permitting
Seminole County Building Division
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Seminole County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Seminole 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
Seminole County is split between two electric companies with an irregular boundary — confirm your provider by address. There is no municipal electric utility here.
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Serves: Sanford, Lake Mary, Heathrow, and parts of Oviedo and east Seminole.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Other parts of the county — Longwood, Winter Springs, and Altamonte areas vary by address.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, set up water with the city. In unincorporated areas, it's Seminole County Utilities.
Seminole County Utilities
Serves: Unincorporated Seminole County (water & sewer).
City of Altamonte Springs Utility Billing
Serves: City of Altamonte Springs.
City of Winter Springs Utility Billing
Serves: City of Winter Springs.
City of Casselberry Utility Customer Service
Serves: City of Casselberry.
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas is the natural-gas provider for Seminole County. Many homes are all-electric with no gas service.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Seminole County (where gas mains are available).
Trash & Recycling
Cities run their own collection through their utility-billing office (see Water & Sewer numbers above).
Seminole County Solid Waste
Serves: Curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste in unincorporated Seminole County.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Spectrum (Charter)
Serves: Cable internet and TV, available across most of the county.
AT&T Fiber
Serves: Fiber internet in many neighborhoods — check availability 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.
Seminole County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Seminole County, FL?
It depends on your address — Seminole is split between Florida Power & Light (FPL) and Duke Energy Florida, with an irregular boundary. FPL covers Sanford, Lake Mary, Heathrow, and parts of Oviedo; Duke covers other areas (Longwood, Winter Springs, and Altamonte areas vary). There is no municipal electric utility, so confirm your provider by address.
How do I set up water service in Seminole County?
If your home is inside a city — Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, or Longwood — set up water through that city's utility-billing office. In unincorporated areas, call Seminole County Utilities at (407) 665-2110.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Seminole County?
File with the Seminole County Property Appraiser at scpafl.org or (407) 665-7506. 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 Seminole County?
The Seminole County Tax Collector (seminolecounty.tax, (407) 665-1000) 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 Seminole County?
Register or update your address through the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections at voteseminole.gov or (407) 585-8683. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Seminole 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 Seminole 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.