New to Panama City? Start city water, sewer and trash at 850-872-3166, set up FPL or Gulf Coast Electric, and file for homestead by March 1.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. This page links our own guides and the official start-service pages; each fact comes from the agency or company named.

Moving to Panama City means setting up services with three kinds of providers: the city (water, sewer, garbage), private utilities (power, gas, internet) and Bay County offices (taxes, car tags, driver’s licenses, elections). Here is where to start, with links to our guides for the details.

Who to call first

  • City water, sewer and garbage: Utility Billing, 850-872-3166, or the online utility service application
  • Electricity (FPL): 1-888-326-4853, start, stop or move service
  • Electricity (Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative): 850-481-1188
  • Driver’s license, tag and title: Bay County Tax Collector, 850-248-8501
  • City Hall main line: 850-872-3000

Water, sewer and trash

The city provides water, sewer and garbage service on one bill. Apply online with the utility service application or at City Hall, 501 Harrison Ave.; walk-in applications are processed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. A deposit is required, and the amount depends on meter size and whether you are inside city limits; ask Customer Service at 850-872-3166. The city refunds residential deposits after 24 months with no delinquency or disconnection.

City utility rates rise with October 2026 usage, about $6.50 a month for the average home, the city says. Once service is set up, the Environmental Services Division delivers a blue garbage cart if the house does not have one. Pickup days, holidays and bulk rules are in our trash and recycling guide.

Power

Electricity comes from a private utility, not the city. FPL, which absorbed Gulf Power, serves most of Bay County; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative and Duke Energy serve smaller areas. Your landlord, seller or the previous bill will tell you which one serves your address.

  • FPL Northwest Florida: start, stop or move service, 1-888-326-4853, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
  • Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative: Panama City office, 6243 E. Highway 98, 850-481-1188

Outage numbers and maps are in our power outages guide.

Natural gas

Natural gas is not available at every address. Peoples Gas lists Panama City among its Florida operating locations; check availability and apply on its start service page or call customer care at 877-832-6747.

Internet and TV

The Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map lists every internet provider that reports service at your exact address; type it in before you sign a lease. Bay District Schools lists Xfinity and WOW! as cable providers in the area, carrying its school board channel on Xfinity channel 6 and WOW! channel 5. Sign up through each provider’s own site: Xfinity and WOW!.

Car, license and voter registration

The Bay County Tax Collector handles Florida driver licenses, ID cards, titles and registrations. Tag, title and tax services run 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and driver license services 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, with a delayed 8:30 a.m. opening on Wednesdays. Appointments are required for testing; book or join the line on the tax collector’s site.

To transfer an out-of-state title, the tax collector asks for the title holders in person, proof of Florida insurance and the vehicle itself for a VIN inspection (or form 82042 completed by law enforcement or a notary). If you owned the vehicle less than six months, bring proof that sales tax was paid.

Register to vote, or update your address, at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. Elections details are in our voting guide.

Homestead and property taxes

Bought a home? If it was your permanent residence on Jan. 1, file for homestead exemption by March 1 with the Bay County Property Appraiser, 850-248-8401. You will need your recorded deed, Florida driver’s license and vehicle registration at the new address. Moving from another Florida homestead? Ask about portability of your Save Our Homes savings. Rates, due dates and appeals: property taxes.

Schools

Public schools are run by Bay District Schools; registration is online through the Focus parent portal, with two proofs of address. Zones, the calendar and school grades are in our schools guide.

Pets

We found no city pet license requirement on the city’s website. The county shelter is Bay County Animal Services, 6401 Bayline Drive, 850-767-3333.

Building or renovating

Permits and development orders go through the city’s Cloudpermit portal; see building permits and zoning. Check your flood zone on the city’s flood data site and your hurricane evacuation zone on our hurricane prep guide.

Everything else

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Panama City?

Use the city’s online utility service application or visit Utility Billing at City Hall, 501 Harrison Ave. Questions and deposit amounts: 850-872-3166, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Water, sewer and garbage come on one city bill.

Who provides electricity in Panama City?

Most of Bay County is served by FPL, the former Gulf Power, whose Northwest Florida customer line is 1-888-326-4853. Some areas are served by Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, 850-481-1188.

Where do I get a Florida driver’s license and car tag in Panama City?

At the Bay County Tax Collector, which handles driver licenses, titles and registrations. Appointments are required for testing and available for license and title services; call 850-248-8501.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Bay County?

March 1. If you owned and lived in your Panama City home on Jan. 1, apply with the Bay County Property Appraiser by March 1 that year.