New to Augusta? Start water with Augusta Utilities (706-821-1851), power with Georgia Power, gas through a marketer; register your car within 30 days.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is a checklist that links to our detailed guides and to each provider’s own start-service page. Facts come from the provider or agency named, linked inline.

Moving to Augusta means setting up service with several separate providers: the city for water, sewer and trash, Georgia Power or a co-op for electricity, a marketer of your choice for natural gas, and the county Tax Commissioner for your car tag. Here is the order to do it in, and where.

Who to call first

  • Water and sewer: Augusta Utilities, 706-821-1851
  • Electricity: Georgia Power, start, stop or move service; or Jefferson Energy Cooperative, 706-547-2167
  • Car tag and title: Richmond County Tax Commissioner, 706-821-2391
  • Anything city-related: Augusta 311, 3-1-1 or 706-821-2300

1. Water and sewer

Augusta Utilities customer service starts and stops service, takes payments and sets up payment arrangements at 706-821-1851, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, according to its contact page. Offices are at 452 Walker St. and 3463 Peach Orchard Road. Pay bills online through the city’s water and sewer bill page. For a broken water line or sewer backup after hours, call 706-842-3060.

2. Electricity

Georgia Power serves the Augusta area; start service through Southern Company’s start, stop or move form. Parts of Richmond County are served by Jefferson Energy Cooperative, a member-owned co-op in Wrens; call 706-547-2167. Ask your landlord or seller which one serves your address. Outage numbers and maps: our power outages guide.

3. Natural gas

Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. Atlanta Gas Light owns and maintains the pipes and meters and responds to gas emergencies, but it does not sell gas. If your home has a gas meter but no service, Atlanta Gas Light says to contact a certified natural gas marketer, and to call a marketer to transfer or stop service when you move (Atlanta Gas Light).

  • The Georgia Public Service Commission keeps the list of approved natural gas marketers, a marketer scorecard of complaints and a monthly price list.
  • Sign up by the 19th of a month and your switch can take effect on the first of the next month, the commission says in its deregulation guide.
  • If every marketer turns you down, you can sign up with the commission’s Regulated Provider.
  • Smell gas? Leave first, then call Atlanta Gas Light’s 24-hour line, 877-427-4321.

4. Internet

These providers publish Augusta service pages; enter your address on each to see what is available where you live:

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

5. Trash and recycling

Trash, yard waste and bulk pickup come with the house and are billed once a year on your property tax bill. Curbside recycling is a separate sign-up with Coastal Waste & Recycling. Find your pickup day and the rules in our trash and recycling guide.

6. Your car and your license

New Georgia residents must title and register their vehicles and pay the title ad valorem tax (TAVT) within 30 days of moving, according to the Tax Commissioner’s vehicle registration page. Bring your out-of-state title or registration and the documents the page lists. Tag offices, all open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (locations):

  • Municipal Building, 535 Telfair St., Suite 100
  • South Augusta Tag Office, 3463 A Peach Orchard Road
  • West Augusta Tag Office, 2816 Washington Road, Suite 109

Georgia also requires new residents who drive to get a Georgia driver’s license within 30 days, at a Department of Driver Services customer service center (DDS: new residents).

7. Property taxes and homestead

If you bought a home, file for the homestead exemption by April 1; you must own and live in the home on Jan. 1 of the tax year. The Tax Commissioner’s new residents page also reminds buyers to make sure the year’s taxes were paid at closing. Details and rates: our property tax guide.

8. Schools

Public schools are run by the Richmond County School System. Register online, then take proof of residency to your zoned school. Calendar, zone locator and ratings: our schools guide.

9. Pets

Augusta-Richmond County’s animal control ordinance (PDF), in the version the city posted in June 2025, requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with the numbered vaccination tag the vet issues. Dogs off the owner’s property must wear a collar, and owners must provide a collar with identification and the rabies tag. The city’s older 2017 ordinance flyer (PDF) also described a registration requirement for dogs and cats over six months. The 2025 text requires registration only for vicious, dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs, so ask Augusta Animal Services, 4164 Mack Lane, 706-790-6836, whether your pet needs to be registered.

10. Voting

Update your voter registration on the Georgia My Voter Page or with the Richmond County Board of Elections, 706-821-2340. Dates and polling places: our voting guide.

Building permits and zoning · who to call at City Hall · getting around Augusta · parks and trails · Augusta population and growth

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Augusta?

Call Augusta Utilities customer service at 706-821-1851, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or visit 452 Walker St. or 3463 Peach Orchard Road. The same line handles stopping service and payments.

How do I set up natural gas in Augusta, Georgia?

Sign up with a natural gas marketer certified by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Atlanta Gas Light owns the pipes and meters but does not sell gas; the marketer you choose bills you.

How long do I have to register my car in Georgia after moving?

New Georgia residents must title and register their vehicles and pay the title ad valorem tax within 30 days of moving, the Richmond County Tax Commissioner says. Georgia also requires a Georgia driver’s license within 30 days.

Where is the tag office in Augusta?

The Richmond County Tax Commissioner has tag offices at 535 Telfair St., 3463 A Peach Orchard Road and 2816 Washington Road, all open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Phone: 706-821-2391.

What are the pet rules in Augusta?

The county’s animal control ordinance requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, and dogs off the owner’s property must wear a collar. Ask Augusta Animal Services, 706-790-6836, about registration.