New to Wilmington? Start water with CFPUA, power with Duke Energy Progress, get an NC license within 60 days, register pets and find your school.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page links our other Wilmington guides instead of repeating them, and adds what they do not cover. Facts come from each provider’s or agency’s own site, linked below.

Welcome to Wilmington. Most of what you need to set up runs through four places: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority for water, sewer and the trash bill, Duke Energy Progress for electricity, NCDMV for your license and car, and New Hanover County for taxes, pets and schools.

Who to call

Your first-week checklist

Task Who Our guide
Start water and sewer CFPUA Below
Start electricity Duke Energy Progress Below, and power outages
Set up trash and recycling CFPUA billing; city pickup Trash and recycling
Find your school New Hanover County Schools Schools guide
Register to vote New Hanover County Board of Elections Voting guide
Know your hurricane zone New Hanover County Emergency Management Hurricane prep
Understand your tax bill New Hanover County Tax Department Property taxes
Plan home projects City zoning and county permits Building permits and zoning

Water and sewer: CFPUA

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is the public water and sewer utility for Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and much of New Hanover County, according to its New Customers page.

  • Owners: complete CFPUA’s online “New Service: Residential or Commercial Owner” form and attach a photo ID. The seller or buyer also completes a closing disclosure form.
  • Renters: complete the “New Service: Residential Tenant” form and attach a photo ID and the signed lease. The landlord completes a transfer of responsibility form. A security deposit may apply, depending on credit and account history.
  • Lobby: 235 Government Center Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. Phone 910-332-6550.

The same CFPUA account carries the city’s trash charge; the city’s Trash page sends new customers to CFPUA’s trash service form. Pickup days and rules are in our trash guide.

Electricity: Duke Energy Progress

Power in Wilmington comes from Duke Energy Progress. Start service online through Duke Energy’s start, stop or move page, and check that Duke serves your address with its provider lookup. To report an outage, call 800-419-6356; see our power outages page.

Natural gas

Natural gas, where a street has it, comes from Piedmont Natural Gas. Not every home in Wilmington has gas service. To ask about a new connection, Piedmont’s service installation page lists 877-279-3636.

Internet

Check which providers serve your exact address on the FCC’s National Broadband Map, which lists every company that reports service at that location. AT&T publishes a Wilmington internet page; sign up through the provider you choose.

Driver’s license and car

From NCDMV’s Moving to North Carolina page:

  • Deadline: within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence, if you plan to drive, get a North Carolina driver’s license and title and register your vehicles.
  • License first: you must get a North Carolina license or ID before titling and registering a vehicle.
  • Registration timing: register when you take a job here or when the reciprocity period with your old state ends, usually 30 days, whichever comes first.
  • What to bring for the license: your out-of-state license (or a document proving identity and date of birth) and proof of liability insurance from a company licensed in North Carolina. Bring two proofs of residency for a REAL ID.
  • Offices: use NCDMV’s office locator for the driver license office and license plate agency nearest you.

Property tax breaks for homeowners

New Hanover County offers three state property tax relief programs to homeowners who qualify, including the elderly or disabled homestead exclusion. The application, Form AV-9, is due June 1. Details are in our property tax guide.

Pets

Dogs, cats and ferrets must have a current rabies vaccination from four months of age, and New Hanover County’s pet registration keeps that record current, according to the Sheriff’s Office Pet Registration page. Register and pay online through the county’s pet registration portal. Lost pets and animal complaints go to Animal Services, 910-798-7500.

Schools and voting

  • Schools: look up your assigned school with New Hanover County Schools’ School Locator and enroll online. See our schools guide.
  • Voting: you must live in the county for 30 days before an election to vote here. You can register at any early voting site during early voting. See our voting guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up water service in Wilmington, NC? Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) runs water and sewer. Owners and renters fill out CFPUA’s online new-service form with a photo ID; renters also attach the lease. Call 910-332-6550.

How long do I have to get a North Carolina driver’s license after moving? Within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence, if you plan to drive, according to NCDMV. You must get the license before titling and registering your vehicle.

Who provides electricity in Wilmington? Duke Energy Progress. Start service through Duke Energy’s start, stop or move page.

Do I need to register my dog or cat in New Hanover County? New Hanover County registers dogs, cats and ferrets to keep their rabies vaccinations current; the vaccination is required from four months of age. Register online through the Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit.

How do I set up trash pickup in Wilmington? City trash service is billed through CFPUA. Sign up with CFPUA at 910-332-6550 or its online trash service form.

More: getting around Wilmington, home prices and population and growth.