New to Charlottesville? Start city gas, water and sewer with Utility Billing (434-970-3211), electricity with Dominion, then title your car within 30 days.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. This page links our other guides and adds the steps they do not cover. Facts come from the City of Charlottesville’s Utility Billing forms, Dog Tags, DMV Select and personal property tax pages, Virginia DMV, Dominion Energy and the FCC National Broadband Map.

Moving to Charlottesville means dealing with two utility providers, not one: the city itself supplies natural gas, water and sewer, and Dominion Energy supplies electricity. Charlottesville is an independent city, so City Hall, at 605 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall, handles your taxes, trash, car registration fees and dog license; Albemarle County does not.

Your first calls

  • Gas, water, sewer: City Utility Billing, 434-970-3211
  • Electricity: Dominion Energy, start service online
  • Trash stickers or decal: City Treasurer, 434-970-3146
  • Car and personal property tax: Commissioner of the Revenue, 434-970-3160
  • Schools: Charlottesville City Schools, 434-245-2400

1. Start your utilities

  • Gas, water and sewer (city): fill out the residential Application for Service or call Utility Billing at 434-970-3211, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Landlords use the landlord owner application. The city offers a budget billing plan and automatic payment.
  • Electricity: Dominion Energy; use its start service page.
  • Internet: Xfinity publishes a Charlottesville service page. To see every provider that reports service at your exact address, enter it on the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Emergencies: gas leak, water main break or sewer overflow, 434-293-9164 any hour; power outage, Dominion at 866-366-4357. See power outages.

2. Trash and recycling

City trash is pay-as-you-throw: every can needs a sticker or an annual decal from the Treasurer. Recycling is free every other week. See trash and recycling.

3. Your car and driver’s license

Virginia DMV gives new residents:

  • 60 days to get a Virginia driver’s license (30 days for a commercial license)
  • 30 days to title the vehicle in Virginia, then register it and get plates

You can handle titles, registrations and plates at the DMV Select office in City Hall, run by the Treasurer (434-970-3478). Charlottesville does not require a windshield decal, but every vehicle with active plates pays a city license fee with the first personal property tax bill. The Commissioner of the Revenue asks new residents to register for personal property tax within 30 days of moving; DMV forwards your garage address if you update it there.

4. Taxes and homeowner help

Real estate tax is $0.99 per $100 of assessed value, due June 5 and Dec. 5. For homeowners, the city has tax relief for older and disabled owners, an exemption for 100% disabled veterans and income-based homeowner grants. See property taxes.

5. Schools

Children are zoned by address to one of six elementary schools, then Charlottesville Middle and Charlottesville High. Register in SchoolMint with a birth certificate and two proofs of city residency, such as a lease plus a recent utility bill. See the schools guide.

6. Voting

Update your registration online with the Virginia Department of Elections or at the city registrar’s office, 120 Seventh St. NE (434-970-3250). The registrar warns that the Charlottesville-Albemarle line confuses many new arrivals. See voting.

7. Pets

Every dog 4 months and older must wear a current city license. Bring or mail a rabies vaccination certificate and the license application to the City Hall lobby; the city sells a lifetime dog license. Animal control’s non-emergency line is 434-977-9041.

8. Building or renovating

Permits go through the city’s online Permit Portal; zoning questions to 434-970-3995. See building permits and zoning.

What this means for you

  • Week one: start city utilities and Dominion, and buy trash stickers.
  • Within 30 days: title and register your car, and tell the Commissioner of the Revenue.
  • Within 60 days: switch to a Virginia driver’s license.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up water and gas in Charlottesville?

The city runs both. Submit the residential Application for Service online or call Utility Billing at 434-970-3211, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays.

Who provides electricity in Charlottesville?

Dominion Energy. Start service on Dominion’s Virginia start-service page; Dominion’s outage and emergency line is 866-366-4357.

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

60 days, according to Virginia DMV. Your vehicle must be titled and registered in Virginia within 30 days of moving, and you should register it with the Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue within 30 days.

Do I need a dog license in Charlottesville?

Yes. City code requires every dog 4 months and older to wear a current license. Bring a rabies vaccination certificate to City Hall or apply by mail.

Does Charlottesville have a homestead exemption?

The city’s help for homeowners is real estate tax relief for owners 65 or older or disabled, a full exemption for 100% disabled veterans and income-based homeowner grants. See our property tax guide.