New Resident Guide · Lake Butler, Florida
Union CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Union County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Lake Butler, Raiford, Worthington Springs, and the rest of this small rural county — power, water, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. The county has no piped natural gas (homes use propane). 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
Union 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
Union County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license and road-test services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Union County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Union County Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Union County Building Department
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Union County. The City of Lake Butler permits its own.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Union 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 rural county is Clay Electric; inside Lake Butler it's the city, with Duke on some edges.
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: Most of rural/unincorporated Union County.
City of Lake Butler
Serves: Inside Lake Butler city limits (city utilities).
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Pockets/edges of the county — verify by address.
Water & Sewer
Inside Lake Butler the city; most of the county is private well & septic.
City of Lake Butler
Serves: Inside Lake Butler (water, sewer, garbage).
Union County (rural)
Serves: Unincorporated areas (most homes are on a private well and septic).
Trash & Recycling
Regional landfill and drop-off via the New River association; Lake Butler runs city curbside.
New River Solid Waste Association (NRSWA)
Serves: The Union/Baker/Bradford regional landfill (Raiford) and rural drop-off/recycling sites.
City of Lake Butler
Serves: City curbside (on the city utility bill).
Internet & TV
Wired service concentrates in Lake Butler; rural addresses often use satellite.
Kinetic by Windstream
Serves: Lake Butler and parts of Union County (DSL/fiber).
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.
Union County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Union County, FL?
Most of the rural county is Clay Electric Cooperative; inside Lake Butler it's the city's utilities; and Duke Energy serves some edges. Confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Union County?
Inside Lake Butler, the city provides water/sewer/garbage at (386) 496-3401. Most of the county is on a private well and septic, so confirm whether a home is on city utilities before assuming central service.
Is there natural gas in Union County?
No — there's no piped natural-gas utility. Homes use propane (LP) from private dealers, so budget for a propane tank if a listing has gas appliances.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Union County?
The Union County Tax Collector (unioncountytc.com, (386) 496-3331) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver license and road-test services in-county. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Union County?
Register or update your address through the Union County Supervisor of Elections at unionflvotes.com or (386) 496-2236. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Union 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 Union 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.