New to Fort Lauderdale? Start FPL power and city water (owners only since March 1, 2026), get a Florida license in 30 days and file for homestead by March 1.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This is an index for new residents: it links our detailed guides and adds the start-up steps they do not cover, each from the official source. City help line for anything city-run: 954-828-8000.
Welcome to Fort Lauderdale. Most of what you need to set up comes from four places: FPL for electricity, the city for water, sewer and trash, the Broward County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector for taxes and tags, and the state for your driver’s license.
Your first-month checklist
- Power: FPL, start, stop or move service
- Water, sewer and trash: City Utility Billing, 954-828-5150 (owners open accounts)
- Driver’s license: within 30 days; vehicle title and registration: within 10 days, with Florida insurance
- Homestead exemption: by March 1 after the Jan. 1 you live in the home
- Voter registration: update with the Broward Supervisor of Elections
Utilities
| Service | Provider | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Florida Power & Light | FPL start, stop, move; outages 1-800-468-8243 |
| Water and sewer | City of Fort Lauderdale | Establish new utility service; 954-828-5150 |
| Trash and recycling | City of Fort Lauderdale (WM collects) | Part of city service for homes and buildings of three units or fewer; see trash and recycling |
| Natural gas | TECO Peoples Gas, where lines serve the address | Peoples Gas start service |
City water accounts changed this year. Since March 1, 2026, only property owners can open new utility accounts. Tenant accounts opened before then stay in place unless service is disconnected. Owners need the Utility Service Application and Agreement (PDF), a government photo ID, a settlement statement or warranty deed (not needed if the Property Appraiser already shows you as owner) and the deposit. Submit by email to UtilityBilling@fortlauderdale.gov, by fax to 954-828-5880, by mail, or in person at 700 NW 19th Ave., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Card payments carry a processor fee; recurring ACH and one-time EFT payments do not.
Internet
Check which companies serve your address on the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map. Providers that publish Fort Lauderdale service pages include:
- Xfinity (Comcast): Fort Lauderdale service page
- AT&T: Fort Lauderdale service page
Driver’s license, title and tags
From the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ new resident page:
- Get a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of becoming a resident.
- Buy insurance from an agent licensed in Florida, then title and register your vehicles within 10 days of becoming a resident.
- Bring proof of Florida insurance, the original out-of-state title (or, if a lender holds it, the lender’s letter), and a VIN verification on HSMV form 82040 or 82042.
In Broward, tags and titles are handled by the Broward County Tax Collector; motor vehicle line 954-797-8733. Renewals can be done at self-service kiosks in some supermarkets.
Taxes and homestead
If you buy a home and make it your permanent residence, file for the homestead exemption with the Broward County Property Appraiser. Florida decides residence as of Jan. 1. For the 2027 tax year the filing window runs to March 1, 2027. Remember that a sale resets the home’s assessed value, so your tax bill may be higher than the seller’s. Full details: property taxes.
Schools
Children are assigned to Broward County Public Schools by address; register at the school. See our schools guide for the locator, documents and calendar.
Pets
Broward County issues pet registration tags through Broward County Animal Care, which also runs low-cost rabies clinics. The county asks evacuees to show a pet’s rabies certificate and current county registration tag at pet-friendly hurricane shelters, so get one before storm season.
Permits, voting and getting around
- Renovating? See building permits and zoning. Some small cosmetic jobs on single-family homes can now skip a permit, with approval.
- Voting: register or update your address with the Supervisor of Elections; see voting.
- Roads, transit and parking: see getting around.
- Hurricanes: know your evacuation area; see hurricane prep.
- Power outages: see power outages.
- Who to call: see who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up water service in Fort Lauderdale?
Send the city’s Utility Service Application and Agreement with photo ID, a settlement statement or deed, and the deposit to Utility Billing, or call 954-828-5150. Since March 1, 2026, only property owners can open new accounts.
Who provides electricity in Fort Lauderdale?
Florida Power & Light (FPL). Start, stop or move service through FPL.com.
How long do I have to get a Florida driver’s license after moving?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says new residents must get a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency, and title and register their vehicles within 10 days.
When is the homestead exemption deadline in Broward County?
To get the exemption on your 2027 tax bill, file with the Broward County Property Appraiser by March 1, 2027, if you owned the home and made it your permanent residence by Jan. 1, 2027.
Do renters need to set up water service in Fort Lauderdale?
Not for new accounts. Starting March 1, 2026, only property owners can open new city utility accounts; existing tenant accounts stay as they are unless service is disconnected.
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