Moving to Miami: utilities, schools, trash, permits, taxes

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: FPL, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ new resident page, Miami-Dade Animal Services’ dog license page and the guides linked below.

This is a checklist for people new to the City of Miami. It points to our detailed guides for trash, taxes, permits, schools and voting, and adds what they leave out: starting the utilities, switching your license and car to Florida, and registering a dog.

First calls

• Electricity (FPL): 1-888-988-8249, or start service online
• Water and sewer (Miami-Dade Water and Sewer): 305-665-7477, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; start service online
• City of Miami services: 311, or 305-468-5900
• Property Appraiser (homestead): 305-375-4712

1. Power: Florida Power & Light

Electricity in Miami comes from FPL. Start, stop or move service on FPL’s start service page, or call customer service at 1-888-988-8249 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). Save the outage line too: 1-800-468-8243. More in our power outages guide.

2. Water and sewer: Miami-Dade Water and Sewer

Water and sewer service is provided by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, a county agency. To start service:

• Apply online in the department’s Self-Service Application: create an account, choose Apply for New Service, submit and keep your confirmation number.
• Have a government photo ID, the service address, your mailing address and proof of ownership or a signed lease. Businesses also need a federal tax number.
• Requests are usually processed in 3 to 5 business days. A deposit and a service charge apply; the department lists them on its start-service page.
• Or call 305-665-7477, or visit the full-service center at 3071 SW 38th Ave. (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
• Water emergencies, 24 hours: 305-274-9272.

3. Natural gas

Piped natural gas is not available at every Miami address. Ask your landlord or seller whether the building has gas and which company supplies it, then start service with that utility, such as Peoples Gas.

4. Internet

Which internet providers serve an address depends on the street and the building. Check your address on the FCC’s National Broadband Map, which lists the providers that report service there and the speeds they offer, then sign up with the provider directly.

5. Trash and recycling

The City of Miami collects garbage twice a week and bulky trash weekly; look up your days by address. See trash and recycling.

6. Your driver license and car

From the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ new resident page:

• You count as a Florida resident once you take a job here, enroll children in public school, register to vote, file for homestead, or live here more than six months in a row.
• Get a Florida driver license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Apply in person at an office that offers driver license services; you will take a vision test, and you may not need a written or road test.
• Title and register your vehicles within 10 days, after buying insurance from an agent licensed in Florida.
• If a lender holds your out-of-state title, ask it to transfer the title to Florida; you must register the car either way.

Florida’s county tax collector offices handle many license and tag transactions; in this county, start with the Miami-Dade Tax Collector.

7. Property taxes and homestead

Bought a home? File for the homestead exemption by March 1 with the Property Appraiser of Miami-Dade County if you owned and lived in it on Jan. 1. See property taxes for rates, due dates and appeals.

8. Schools

Public schools are run by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, 305-995-1000. Register in person at your zoned school with proof of age, a Statement of Bona Fide Residence and a Florida immunization certificate. See Miami schools.

9. Voting

Register or update your address with the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections, 305-499-8683. See voting in Miami-Dade.

10. Your dog

Miami-Dade County requires a dog license tag for every dog over four months old, renewed with each rabies vaccination. Buy it at your veterinarian, the Pet Adoption and Protection Center (3599 NW 79th Ave., Doral) or a 311 Service Center. Bring proof of rabies vaccination and a driver license or passport; you must be 18 and a Miami-Dade resident. Tags cannot be bought online, the county says.

Building or renovating

Permits come from the City of Miami Building Department through its online iBuild portal, and zoning from the Office of Zoning. See building permits and zoning.

What this means for you

• Day one: FPL and Miami-Dade Water and Sewer.
• Within 10 days: Florida title and registration for your car. Within 30 days: your Florida license.
• By March 1: homestead, if you bought.

Related: who to call at City Hall, getting around Miami and hurricane prep.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up water service in Miami?

Apply online through Miami-Dade Water and Sewer’s Self-Service Application, by phone at 305-665-7477 or at a service center. Have a photo ID and proof of ownership or a signed lease. Requests usually take 3 to 5 business days.

Who provides electricity in Miami?

Florida Power & Light (FPL). Start service on fpl.com or call FPL customer service at 1-888-988-8249.

How long do I have to get a Florida driver license after moving?

30 days from establishing residency. Vehicles must be titled and registered within 10 days, after you buy insurance from a Florida-licensed agent, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a dog license in Miami?

Yes. Miami-Dade County requires a license tag for every dog over four months old. Buy it at a veterinarian, the county’s Pet Adoption and Protection Center or a 311 Service Center, with proof of rabies vaccination.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Miami-Dade?

March 1. If you owned and lived in your Miami home on Jan. 1, apply with the Property Appraiser of Miami-Dade County, 305-375-4712.