New to Pensacola? Start power with FPL, water with ECUA (850-476-0480) and gas with Pensacola Energy. Florida license within 30 days, tag within 10.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. This is an index for new residents. It links our full guides and adds what they do not cover. Facts come from each utility, the Escambia County Tax Collector, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Escambia County Animal Services.

Welcome to Pensacola. Many addresses with a Pensacola mailing address are outside the city limits, in unincorporated Escambia County, so first check who serves your address. Inside the city, four providers cover the basics: Florida Power & Light for electricity, ECUA for water and sewer, the city-owned Pensacola Energy for natural gas and the city’s Sanitation Services for trash.

Who to call

  • Electricity: FPL Northwest Florida, 888-326-4853
  • Water and sewer: ECUA, 850-476-0480, 9255 Sturdevant St.
  • Natural gas: Pensacola Energy, 850-435-1800
  • Trash and recycling (city): Sanitation Services, 850-435-1890
  • Driver’s license and tag: Escambia County Tax Collector, 850-438-6500
  • Homestead exemption: Escambia County Property Appraiser, 850-434-2735

1. Start your utilities

Electricity: Florida Power & Light. FPL serves Pensacola through its Northwest Florida region. Start service on FPL’s Start, Stop, Move page, or call customer service at 888-326-4853, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, per its contact page.

Water and sewer: Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA). ECUA provides water to most of Escambia County. Residential customers moving into an existing home can apply by phone, email or in person, and a security deposit is required before service is turned on, according to ECUA’s Residential Customers page, which also has a new-resident welcome kit. Customer Service is at 9255 Sturdevant St., 850-476-0480, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. After hours: 850-476-5110.

Natural gas: Pensacola Energy. The city’s gas utility opens accounts by phone at 850-435-1800 or at its Customer Service Center at 308 S. Reus St. Bring an acceptable form of identification, its Start, Stop or Move Service page says. Moving within its service area? Call at least a day ahead.

Trash and recycling: City of Pensacola Sanitation Services. Garbage collection is mandatory inside the city limits. Your pickup days, recycling sign-up and bulk pickup are in our trash and recycling guide.

Storm season: see power outages and hurricane prep.

2. Internet

AT&T publishes a Pensacola service page where you can check your address and sign up.

The FCC’s National Broadband Map lists every provider that reports service at your exact address.

3. Driver’s license and car registration

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ new resident page says:

  • Get a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. Apply in person.
  • Title and register your vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency, with insurance from an agent licensed to sell insurance in Florida.
  • An out-of-state vehicle’s VIN must be physically inspected, by a law enforcement officer, a licensed Florida dealer or a tax collector employee, among others.
  • You may count as a resident once you start a job here, enroll children in public school, register to vote, file for homestead or live here more than six months in a row.

In Escambia County the Tax Collector handles licenses and tags. Its offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays:

  • Downtown: 213 Palafox Place
  • Brentwood: 5045 N. Palafox St.
  • Warrington: 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite A
  • Molino: 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A (no driving tests)

Make an appointment on the Tax Collector’s website or call 850-438-6500. The offices closed Oct. 8-9 for the storm, and the Tax Collector said online ExpressWay transactions would not be processed until Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the earliest.

4. Homestead exemption

If you own your home and make it your permanent residence on Jan. 1, file for homestead before March 1 with the Escambia County Property Appraiser, 850-434-2735. Full details on rates, bills and discounts: Escambia County property taxes.

5. Schools

Escambia County Public Schools runs every public school in the county. Type your address into the district’s Find Your School locator to see your zoned schools, then contact Enrollment Services. Calendar and state grades: schools guide.

6. Register to vote

Register or update your address through the Supervisor of Elections’ Register to Vote page. The deadline for the Nov. 3, 2026, election passed Oct. 5. See voting in Escambia County.

7. Pets

“It is the law to license your cat or dog in Escambia County,” and the license must be renewed every year, according to Escambia County Animal Services, which enforces animal laws in the county and the city of Pensacola. The county shelter is at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, 850-595-3075.

8. Building, fixing or adding on

City permits are filed online through My Government Online. See building permits and zoning.

9. Who to call for everything else

City Hall numbers, council members by district and Pensacola 311 are in who to call at City Hall. Getting around town: roads, transit, airport and parking.

Frequently asked questions

Who provides water and sewer in Pensacola?

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA). Residents moving into an existing home can apply by phone, email or in person; call 850-476-0480, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Who is the electric company in Pensacola?

Florida Power & Light, through its Northwest Florida region. Start service through FPL’s Start, Stop, Move page or call 888-326-4853.

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

30 days after you establish residency, and 10 days to title and register your vehicle, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In Escambia County the Tax Collector handles both; call 850-438-6500.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Escambia County?

March 1. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. Call the Property Appraiser at 850-434-2735.

Do I need to license my dog or cat in Pensacola?

Yes. Escambia County Animal Services says it is the law to license your cat or dog in Escambia County, and the license must be renewed every year.