New to Charleston? Start water and sewer with Charleston Water System, power with Dominion Energy, transfer your license within 45 days and apply for the 4% tax rate.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page links to our other guides and to each provider’s own start-service page. It lists no prices; check each provider for current rates.

Welcome to Charleston. Most of the city is in Charleston County; Daniel Island and Cainhoy are in Berkeley County. Your county decides your property tax office, your school district and your elections office. Here is what to set up, in order.

Who to call first

  • City questions and service requests: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311
  • Water and sewer: Charleston Water System, 843-727-6800
  • Recycling: Charleston County Environmental Management, 843-720-7111
  • Police non-emergency: 843-743-7200

1. Power and natural gas

  • Dominion Energy South Carolina supplies electricity to most of the city and natural gas where its lines reach. Start service on Dominion’s start service page, and check whether gas reaches your address with its gas availability check.
  • Berkeley Electric Cooperative serves some addresses in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Check its service territory map, then use its new service guide or call 1-800-327-9615.

Outage numbers are in our power outages guide.

2. Water and sewer

Charleston Water System provides both. Use its start/stop service request, read its sewer service page, or call 843-727-6800.

3. Trash and recycling

The city collects garbage in a city-issued green cart and yard waste and bulk items each week; Charleston County collects recycling every other week. Request a garbage cart through the city’s online form and download the CHS TrashTracker app for your days. Details in our trash and recycling guide.

4. Internet

These providers publish home internet service in Charleston on their own pages; check your exact address with each:

The FCC’s National Broadband Map lists every provider that reports service at a given address.

5. Driver’s license and car registration

The SCDMV’s moving to South Carolina page says new permanent residents must:

  • apply for an SC driver’s license or ID within 45 days, turning in the out-of-state license, with proof of identity, a current South Carolina address and a vision test
  • transfer vehicle registration within 45 days

To register a car, the SCDMV’s vehicle page sets out the order:

  1. Update your insurance to your South Carolina address with a company licensed in the state.
  2. Give the county Auditor (Charleston County, or Berkeley County on Daniel Island and in Cainhoy) your VIN and current registration card; a vehicle property tax bill is created.
  3. Pay that bill to the county Treasurer: Charleston County’s is at 101 Meeting St., 843-958-4360.
  4. Take the paid tax receipt, your insurance information and your title or lien details to an SCDMV branch.

Military members and students living here temporarily do not need an SC license, the SCDMV says.

6. Property taxes, the 4% rate and the homestead exemption

If you bought a home to live in, apply for the 4% legal residence assessment with the Charleston County Assessor, 843-958-4100; without it, the home is taxed at 6%. The deadline is typically Jan. 15. Owners 65 and older, totally and permanently disabled or legally blind can also apply to the Auditor for the homestead exemption on the first $50,000 of value once they have lived in South Carolina a year. See our property taxes guide.

7. Schools

Charleston County School District serves the Charleston County parts of the city; Berkeley County School District serves Daniel Island and Cainhoy. Bring proof of age, immunization records, two residency documents and a photo ID to enroll. See our schools guide.

8. Voting

Registration for the Nov. 3, 2026, election has closed. Register for future elections at scVOTES.gov, and update your address if you moved within the county. See our voting guide.

9. Pets

We found no city pet license requirement on the city’s website. Seven fenced city dog parks are listed in our parks and trails guide.

10. Building, fences and zoning

Fences, roofs, additions and most exterior work need a city permit, and homes in the historic districts need design review. See our building permits and zoning guide.

Keep handy

What this means for you

  • Start water, sewer and power before move-in day; each is a separate account.
  • Put the 45-day DMV deadline and the Jan. 15 tax deadline on your calendar.
  • Download CHS TrashTracker and sign up for CHS Alerts.

Frequently asked questions

Who provides water and sewer in Charleston?

Charleston Water System, 843-727-6800, provides water and sewer service. Start service with its online start/stop request.

Who provides electricity in Charleston?

Dominion Energy South Carolina serves most of the city, and Berkeley Electric Cooperative serves some addresses. Start service with the provider that serves your address.

How long do I have to get a South Carolina driver’s license after moving?

The SCDMV says new permanent residents must apply for a South Carolina driver’s license or ID, and transfer their vehicle registration, within 45 days.

How do I get trash service when I move to Charleston?

Request a city garbage cart online or at 843-724-7311. Recycling carts come from Charleston County, and your pickup days are in the CHS TrashTracker app.