New to Durham? Start water online with the city (allow 3-5 days), power with Duke Energy, gas with Enbridge, and get an N.C. license within 60 days.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page links our other guides instead of repeating them. Facts come from the City of Durham, Durham County, Duke Energy, Enbridge Gas, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles and the providers named. Durham One Call: 919-560-1200.**

Welcome to Durham. Here is the order most new residents set things up in, with the official link for each.

First week checklist

Water and sewer

The City of Durham runs water and sewer, and you apply online. From the city’s Start Water Service page:

  1. Gather documents. Buyers need the deed (within 14 days, unless county tax records already show the new owner). Renters need a copy of the lease showing the address, tenant and landlord names and rental period, with the signature page signed by everyone. Both need a Social Security or passport number, date of birth and driver’s license or state ID number.
  2. Apply through the city’s online application with the documents attached. Allow three to five days.
  3. Watch your email. The city emails your 12-digit account number when the request is done.

Any past-due balance at an old Durham address must be paid first; Customer Billing Services can check at 919-560-1200, option 2. The first bill carries a service initiation fee, and new connections need a deposit; the city’s deposit and disconnection fees page has the amounts. Once the first bill is issued, pay and view bills in the online customer portal.

Electricity

Duke Energy supplies most Durham homes; start service on its start, stop or move page. Parts of the county are served by the Piedmont Electric Membership Corp., a cooperative (pemc.coop, 800-222-3107). Save Duke’s outage text number now: text OUT to 57801. See power outages in Durham.

Natural gas

PSNC, the gas utility that has long served Durham, was bought by Enbridge in 2024 and now does business as Enbridge Gas North Carolina, the company said. If your home uses gas, start service on Enbridge’s start, stop or transfer page. When we checked, the page said online start requests were temporarily unavailable for new customers and to call Customer Care at 1-877-776-2427, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. The same number takes gas emergencies around the clock; Enbridge also has a check availability tool for addresses without gas.

Internet

These providers publish Durham service pages. Each says 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 empty the green garbage cart weekly and the blue recycling cart every other week; yard waste is an optional paid service. Carts go out by 5 a.m. Find your day by address or in the free Durham Rollout app. Full details: trash and recycling.

Schools

Durham Public Schools serves the city and all of Durham County. Find your base school with the school locator or by calling the Office of Student Assignment at 919-560-2059, then enroll online. DPS also runs a lottery for magnet and application schools. 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 a document proving identity and date of birth), proof of your Social Security number and one document proving your North Carolina address (two for a REAL ID). Without a valid out-of-state license you retake the written and road tests.
  • 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 information to a license plate agency.

North Carolina collects the vehicle property tax with your registration under its Tax and Tag program. Find the nearest offices with NCDMV’s office locator.

Property taxes and homeowner relief

Durham County Tax Administration bills the county and city taxes together; bills are due Sept. 1 and can be paid without interest through Jan. 5. North Carolina has no general homestead exemption, but owners 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled with limited income, and disabled veterans, can apply for relief by June 1 each year. See property taxes. Questions: 919-560-0300.

Voting

Register at your new Durham County address. The next election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The regular registration deadline has passed, but you can register and vote the same day at any early voting site Oct. 15-31. See voting.

Building or renovating

The City-County Building and Safety Department issues permits for both the city and the county, 919-560-4144. See building permits and zoning.

Who to call

  • City services, water billing, trash: Durham One Call, 919-560-1200
  • Police non-emergency: 919-560-4600
  • Animal services: Durham County Sheriff’s Office, 919-560-0630
  • More numbers: who to call at City Hall

Related: getting around Durham, home prices, population and growth and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Durham, NC?

Apply online on the City of Durham’s Start Water Service page with your deed or signed lease, Social Security or passport number, date of birth and driver’s license or state ID number. The city says to allow three to five days.

Who provides natural gas in Durham?

PSNC, the gas utility that serves Durham, now does business as Enbridge Gas North Carolina. Start service through Enbridge Gas or call 1-877-776-2427.

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

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. The license comes first.

What internet providers serve Durham?

AT&T, Frontier, Google Fiber and Spectrum all publish Durham service pages, and each says to check your exact address. The FCC National Broadband Map lists every provider reporting service at an address.