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

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the Village of Wellington, FPL, the Palm Beach County Tax Collector, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, each linked below. Updated when a provider changes its process.

Welcome to Wellington. This page is a checklist for your first weeks, with the official link for each step. Our other guides cover the details, so where one exists we link to it instead of repeating it. Wellington is a village in Palm Beach County; the county, not the village, handles property taxes, driver’s licenses, vehicle tags, elections and animal licenses.

Who to call

• Village Hall: 561-791-4000, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd.
• Water and sewer: Wellington Utilities, 561-791-4010
• Electricity: FPL, 1-888-988-8249
• Tags and driver’s licenses: Palm Beach County Tax Collector, 561-355-2264
• Homestead: Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, 561-355-2866

Your first week: the checklist

Water and sewer

Wellington Utilities serves about 56,000 residents. To open a residential account, the village’s water service page asks for:

• A completed application, which you request by emailing customerservice@wellingtonfl.gov
• Photo ID (renters must show U.S. government-issued photo ID)
• Proof of occupancy: a lease signed by owner and tenant with the start date, or your deed or recorded certificate of title
• The deposit

Mail, email or bring the documents to the Customer Service Center at Village Hall. Get them in by 5 p.m. for next-business-day service. Homes east of State Road 7, such as Buena Vida, Olympia and Villagewalk, get water from Palm Beach County Utilities instead, the village says. Watering days follow South Florida Water Management District rules by zone; Code Compliance (561-753-2560) handles watering questions.

Electricity, gas and internet

• Electricity: FPL serves Wellington. Start, stop or move service on FPL’s website or call 1-888-988-8249, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Outages: 1-800-468-8243; see our power outage guide.
• Natural gas: the village lists Florida Public Utilities (FPU) among the utility companies working in its rights-of-way. Ask your seller or landlord whether the home has gas service, and contact FPU through fpuc.com.
• Internet and TV: the village names AT&T and Comcast among the telecommunications companies working in its rights-of-way. To see every provider that reports service at your exact address, search the FCC National Broadband Map, then sign up through the provider’s own site, AT&T or Xfinity.

Driver’s license and car

The Tax Collector runs driver’s license and tag offices for the state. The rules for newcomers:

• Driver’s license: get a Florida license within 30 days of starting a job or enrolling a child in a Florida public school. Bring your current license and the REAL ID documents on the Tax Collector’s checklist. The knowledge and road tests are waived for licenses from the states and countries it lists.
• Title and registration: apply within 30 days of starting a job, registering to vote or enrolling a child in school. Bring your out-of-state title (if the car is financed, ask your lender for it first) and have the vehicle’s VIN verified.
• Insurance: Florida requires at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability to register a car.
• Where: the Tax Collector’s nearest service center is at 16440 Town Center Parkway South in Westlake; visits are by reservation.

Homestead and property taxes

If you bought a home you live in, file for the homestead exemption with the Property Appraiser by March 1; you must own and live in the home on Jan. 1. The nearest office is at 200 Civic Center Way, Suite 200, Royal Palm Beach, 561-784-1220. Tax bills go out by Nov. 1 with a 4% discount for November payment. Details: our property tax guide.

Pets

Palm Beach County ordinance requires all dogs and cats 4 months and older to have a current rabies vaccine and a county license tag, according to Animal Care and Control. Buy or renew tags through the county’s online pet licensing. Animal complaints go to the county at 561-233-1200, not the village.

Village rules worth knowing early

• Building or remodeling: most work needs a village permit, and your HOA’s approval is separate; see building permits and zoning.
• Running a business from home: you need a Wellington Business Tax Receipt and a county one; see new businesses.
• E-bikes and scooters: riders must be 15 or older and carry photo ID on village sidewalks and paths; see getting around.
• Fireworks: banned year-round in the Equestrian Preserve Area.

What this means for you

• Water first: email Wellington Utilities before moving day.
• Thirty days for your license and tag once you start work or enroll a child.
• Homestead by March 1, or you lose the exemption for that year.

More: who to call at Village Hall, population and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Wellington, Florida?

Email customerservice@wellingtonfl.gov for an application, then send photo ID, your deed or signed lease and the deposit. Documents in by 5 p.m. get next-business-day service. Utilities: 561-791-4010.

Who provides electricity in Wellington?

Florida Power & Light (FPL). Start, stop or move service on FPL’s website or call 1-888-988-8249.

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

30 days after you start a job or enroll a child in a Florida public school. Vehicle title and registration are due within 30 days of a job, voter registration or school enrollment.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Palm Beach County?

You must own and live in the home on Jan. 1 and file by March 1 with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser.

Do I need to license my dog in Wellington?

Yes. Palm Beach County requires all dogs and cats 4 months and older to have a current rabies vaccine and a county license tag.