New Resident Guide · Chipley, Florida
Washington CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Washington County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Chipley, Vernon, Wausau, Ebro, 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
Washington 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
Washington County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services (call ahead — DL service can be limited). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Washington County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Washington County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Washington County Clerk of Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Washington County Building Department
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Washington County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Washington 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
Two co-ops by area — and the City of Chipley does NOT provide electric.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC)
Serves: Most of Washington County (rural/north).
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC)
Serves: Southern Washington County (including the Ebro area).
Water & Sewer
Inside Chipley, the city; outside, private well & septic or a small community system.
City of Chipley Utilities
Serves: Inside Chipley city limits (water, sewer, gas, trash).
Natural Gas
Piped gas is the City of Chipley plus FPU in parts; outside those footprints it's propane.
Florida Public Utilities (FPU)
Serves: Parts of Washington County outside Chipley's gas.
Trash & Recycling
Inside Chipley, the city bills sanitation; unincorporated curbside is Waste Management.
Waste Management
Serves: Unincorporated county curbside garbage/recycling.
Washington County Recycling Center
Serves: Countywide drop-off (Chipley).
Internet & TV
Availability is address-specific — confirm before signing up.
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.
Washington County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Washington County, FL?
Two co-ops split the county: West Florida Electric (WFEC) covers most of it (rural/north), and Gulf Coast Electric (GCEC) covers the south (including Ebro). The City of Chipley does NOT sell electric. Confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Washington County?
Inside Chipley, the city provides water, sewer, gas, and trash on one account at (850) 638-6350. Outside the city, most homes are on a private well and septic.
Is there natural gas in Washington County?
Yes, in parts — the City of Chipley runs a municipal gas system, and Florida Public Utilities serves some areas outside it. Off those footprints, homes use propane (LP).
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Washington County?
The Washington County Tax Collector (washingtoncountytaxcollector.com, (850) 638-6275) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses (call ahead — DL/road-test service can be limited). New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Washington County?
Register or update your address through the Washington County Supervisor of Elections at wcsoe.gov or (850) 638-6230. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Washington 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 Washington 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.