New to Greensboro? Start water with the city, power with Duke Energy, get an N.C. driver's license within 60 days and find your school and trash day.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page links our other guides instead of repeating them. Facts come from the City of Greensboro, Duke Energy, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles and the providers named. City Contact Center: 336-373-2489.

Welcome to Greensboro. Here is the order most new residents do things in, with the link for each.

First week checklist

Water and sewer

The city’s Water Resources Department runs water and sewer. To start service, submit a Request for Water/Sewer Service application for each address, with two forms of identification (a government-issued ID and proof of address), and pay the deposit and service fee, according to the city’s customer service page. Pay by mailed check or in person at the J. Edward Kitchen Operations Center, 2602 S. Elm-Eugene St. Service is not connected until both are paid. Once you are set up, the city’s GSO WaterWise portal shows your water use and takes payments. Landlords use the city’s CIS form.

Electricity

Duke Energy supplies most Greensboro homes. Start service online. Save the outage text number now: text OUT to 57801. See power outages in Greensboro.

Natural gas

Piedmont Natural Gas, part of Duke Energy, serves gas customers in North Carolina. If your home uses gas, start service on Piedmont’s start, stop or move page or call 800-752-7504. For a gas emergency, call 911 or 800-752-7504.

Internet

Spectrum and AT&T both publish Greensboro service pages, and both say availability depends on the address:

To see every provider reporting service at your address, search the FCC National Broadband Map.

Trash and recycling

City crews collect trash weekly and recycling every other week; there is no pickup on Wednesdays. Find your day and red or blue recycling week in GSO Collects. Glass does not go in the cart. Full details: trash and recycling.

Schools

Every Greensboro address is assigned to Guilford County Schools. Look up your neighborhood school with the Student Assignment Locator and enroll through the district’s online registration. Choice school applications for 2027-28 close at 5 p.m. Dec. 4. See our schools guide.

Driver’s license and vehicles

From the NCDMV’s new residents page:

  • Within 60 days of making North Carolina your permanent home, if you drive, get a North Carolina driver’s license and title and register your vehicles.
  • License first. Bring your out-of-state license (or proof of identity), proof of your Social Security number, proof of your North Carolina address (two for a REAL ID) and proof of liability insurance from a company licensed in North Carolina. Written and road tests may be waived with a valid out-of-state license.
  • Register your car when you take a job here or when your old state’s reciprocity period ends (usually 30 days), whichever comes first. Take your title, a North Carolina license (or your out-of-state license with a North Carolina temporary driving certificate) and North Carolina insurance to a license plate agency. Out-of-state insurance policies are not accepted.

North Carolina collects vehicle property tax with your registration under its Tax and Tag program.

Property taxes and the homestead break

Guilford County bills real estate in August. Homeowners 65 and older, or totally and permanently disabled, with limited income, and disabled veterans can apply for property tax relief; the deadline is June 1 each year. See property taxes.

Voting

Register to vote at your new Guilford County address. The next election is Nov. 3, 2026; you can register and vote the same day at early voting Oct. 15-31. See voting.

Building or renovating

Decks, additions and most structural work need a city permit from Development Services, 336-373-2155. In College Hill, Dunleath and Fisher Park, exterior changes need historic district approval first. See building permits and zoning.

Who to call

  • City services: Contact Center, 336-373-2489
  • Police non-emergency: 336-373-2222
  • Animal control: Guilford County, 336-641-5990
  • More numbers: who to call at City Hall

Related: getting around Greensboro, home prices and population and growth.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Greensboro?

Submit the city’s Request for Water/Sewer Service application for each address, with a government-issued ID and proof of address, and pay the deposit and service fee. Service is not connected until they are paid. Questions: 336-373-2489.

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

Within 60 days of making North Carolina your permanent home, if you drive, you must get a North Carolina driver’s license and title and register your vehicles. Get the license first.

Who provides electricity in Greensboro?

Duke Energy serves most of Greensboro. Start service online through Duke Energy’s start, stop and move page.

What internet providers serve Greensboro?

Spectrum and AT&T both publish Greensboro service pages; each says to check your exact address. The FCC National Broadband Map lists every provider reporting service at an address.