Moving to Virginia Beach: utilities, schools, trash, permits, taxes

New to Virginia Beach? Start water at 757-385-4631, power with Dominion Energy, gas with Virginia Natural Gas. Get a Virginia license within 60 days.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Facts come from the City of Virginia Beach’s new resident checklist, published May 15, 2026, and the city departments and utilities linked below. This page links to our other guides instead of repeating them.

Welcome to Virginia Beach. Here is what to set up in your first weeks, in the order most people need it. Questions about any city service: VB311, 757-385-3111.

Who to call

Water and sewer: Public Utilities, 757-385-4631

Trash and recycling carts: Waste Management, 757-385-4650

Electricity: Dominion Energy, 888-667-3000

Natural gas: Virginia Natural Gas, 877-572-3342

Car tax and DMV Select: Commissioner of the Revenue, 757-385-4251

Everything else: VB311, 757-385-3111

1. Utilities

Service	Provider	Start service
Water and sanitary sewer	City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities	Online services, 757-385-4631, or 2403 Courthouse Drive, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
Trash and recycling	City Public Works, Waste Management	757-385-4650 or wastemgt@vbgov.com
Electricity	Dominion Energy	Start or add service
Natural gas	Virginia Natural Gas	Start service
Wastewater treatment	Hampton Roads Sanitation District	hrsd.com

Water, sewer, stormwater and the $30.55 monthly trash fee arrive together on the city’s City Services bill. If the last owner took the trash or recycling carts, Waste Management will set up new ones. See trash and recycling for pickup days and power outages for Dominion’s outage map.

Internet and phone: the city’s emergency contact list includes Cox Communications, 757-224-1111, and Verizon, 800-837-4966. Check what each offers at your address on cox.com or Verizon Fios.

2. Driver’s license and car registration

License: get a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving, or within 30 days for a commercial license. Make a DMV appointment and bring proof of Virginia residency. Rules differ for active-duty military and for licenses from outside the U.S.
Registration: register your car at the DMV Select in City Hall, 2401 Courthouse Drive, Building 1, walk-in 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. It also sells E-ZPass and boat registrations and hunting and fishing licenses, but it does not issue driver’s licenses.
Car tax: once your car is registered here, the Commissioner of the Revenue assesses personal property tax. Cars registered here after March 31 usually get a prorated bill later in the year. See property taxes.

3. Schools

Find your zoned school with the School Locator, start registration online, then finish at the school. The office of student leadership answers registration questions at 757-263-2020. Our schools guide lists what to bring and this year’s calendar.

4. Voting

Already registered in Virginia? Update your address on the state’s citizen portal or through the DMV. New to Virginia? Register. The Voter Registrar is at 500 Studio Drive, 757-385-8683. See voting.

5. Taxes and tax relief

Virginia Beach is an independent city, so there is one local real estate tax, set at $0.97 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal 2027, billed Dec. 5 and June 5. Tax relief is offered to qualifying seniors, people with disabilities and disabled veterans; senior and disabled applications are taken Feb. 1 to June 30. Details are in our property taxes guide.

6. Pets

All dogs and cats 4 months and older must be licensed with the city. License online, by mail or at any of the four Treasurer’s offices. Licenses run one, two or three years depending on the rabies vaccination, and come with a free standard tag and a lost-pet service, the city says.

7. Building or remodeling

Fences, decks, sheds over 256 square feet, roofing and pools all need permits. See building permits and zoning.

8. Stay safe and informed

VBAlert: text “VBAlert” to 67283 for emergency alerts.
Smart911: a safety profile 911 dispatchers can see when you call.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30. The city’s emergency managers rate flooding, tropical and coastal storms and sea level rise as the highest risks. Look up your evacuation zone in our hurricane prep guide.

9. The good stuff

Library card: free for Virginia residents at any of the 10 library locations or online.
Recreation centers: seven centers; join at any of them or online.
Oceanfront parking: residents can apply for a free Resident Parking Voucher worth $50 a year at participating garages, lots and metered spaces.
City news: sign up for the city’s New Resident Welcome Email Series.

What this means for you

Week one: start water, power and gas; confirm your trash day.
Within 60 days: Virginia driver’s license and car registration.
Within the first months: pet license, voter registration, library card.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Virginia Beach?

Through the city’s Department of Public Utilities: online, by calling 757-385-4631 or at the Customer Service Center, 2403 Courthouse Drive, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

How long do I have to get a Virginia driver’s license after moving to Virginia Beach?

60 days, the city says, or 30 days if you hold a commercial driver’s license. Make a DMV appointment and bring proof of your Virginia address.

Where can I register my car in Virginia Beach?

At the DMV Select in City Hall, 2401 Courthouse Drive, Building 1, walk-in 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or at a DMV customer service center. DMV Select does not issue driver’s licenses.

Do I need to license my dog or cat in Virginia Beach?

Yes. Dogs and cats 4 months and older must be licensed with the City Treasurer, online, by mail or at any Treasurer’s office. A standard tag is free.

Does Virginia Beach have a homestead exemption?

The city’s tax relief programs are for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities and disabled veterans. Applications for senior and disabled relief are taken Feb. 1 to June 30; call 757-385-4385.