New Resident Guide · DeFuniak Springs, Florida
Walton CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Walton County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across DeFuniak Springs, the 30A/Santa Rosa Beach area, Freeport, Miramar Beach, 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
Walton 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
Walton County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. Offices in DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, and Freeport. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Walton County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Walton County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Walton County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Walton County Building Division
Permits and inspections in Walton County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Walton 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 Walton is the CHELCO co-op; coastal South Walton (30A/Miramar Beach) is FPL. DeFuniak Springs has no city electric — it's CHELCO.
CHELCO (Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative)
Serves: Most of Walton including DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and inland/rural areas.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) — Northwest
Serves: Coastal South Walton — Santa Rosa Beach/30A and Miramar Beach.
Water & Sewer
South Walton water is split at Mack Bayou Road; check the seller's last bill.
Regional Utilities
Serves: South Walton/30A — Santa Rosa Beach east to Inlet Beach (east of Mack Bayou).
South Walton Utility Co. (SWUCI)
Serves: Miramar Beach/Sandestin (west of Mack Bayou Rd).
City of DeFuniak Springs
Serves: DeFuniak Springs / north Walton (water, sewer, gas, sanitation).
Natural Gas
Coastal South Walton (Okaloosa Gas) and DeFuniak Springs (city gas) only; rural areas use propane.
Okaloosa Gas District
Serves: South Walton — Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Freeport, Miramar Beach, Rosemary/Inlet Beach.
City of DeFuniak Springs Natural Gas
Serves: DeFuniak Springs where mains exist.
Trash & Recycling
Waste Management is the countywide residential hauler.
Waste Management (Walton County)
Serves: Countywide residential collection (unincorporated and DeFuniak Springs).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Mediacom
Serves: Cable/fiber in south/southeast Walton (the 30A side).
AT&T
Serves: Fiber in parts of Santa Rosa Beach; wireless elsewhere — check 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.
Walton County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Walton County, FL?
Most of Walton — including DeFuniak Springs and Freeport — is the CHELCO cooperative. Coastal South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach/30A and Miramar Beach) is FPL (the former Gulf Power). Note DeFuniak Springs has no city electric utility; power inside the city is CHELCO. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Walton County?
South Walton water is split at Mack Bayou Road — 30A/Santa Rosa Beach is Regional Utilities ((850) 231-5114); Miramar Beach/Sandestin is South Walton Utility Co. ((850) 837-2988). Freeport and DeFuniak Springs each run their own. Check the prior owner's bill.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Walton County?
File with the Walton County Property Appraiser at waltonpa.com or (850) 892-8123. 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 Walton County?
The Walton County Tax Collector (waltontaxcollector.com, (850) 892-8121) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses, with offices in DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, and Freeport. 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 Walton County?
Register or update your address through the Walton County Supervisor of Elections at votewalton.gov or (850) 892-8112. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Walton 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 Walton 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.