New to Arlington? Start water and trash with the county at 703-228-5000, power with Dominion, gas with Washington Gas; Virginia license within 60 days.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Arlington County’s Start or Stop Service, Dog Licenses and out-of-state license tax pages, Virginia DMV’s New to Virginia page and the utilities’ own sites. No prices are listed here; each office publishes its own fees.

Arlington has no city government, so almost everything starts with Arlington County. The county runs water, sewer and trash, collects property and car taxes, and runs the schools through Arlington Public Schools. Electricity and natural gas come from private utilities. Start with the county’s Customer Contact Center, 703-228-5000, at least one business day before you move in.

First week checklist

  • Water, sewer, trash and recycling: Arlington County, 703-228-5000
  • Electricity: Dominion Energy, start service online
  • Natural gas: Washington Gas, start service
  • Internet: check your address on the FCC National Broadband Map
  • Car tax: Commissioner of the Revenue, 703-228-3033
  • Register to vote: Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 703-228-3456

Water, sewer and trash

Call 703-228-5000 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday) to open a water-sewer-refuse account. Renting a house? Have the owner’s name, phone number and mailing address ready; under a change in Virginia law, service for a non-owner does not start until the county receives a signed owner authorization form. Allow up to 24 business hours for processing.

Each house gets a black trash cart and a blue recycling cart; trash charges are prorated for the first quarter. Apartment buildings and many condos use private haulers, so ask your manager. Pickup days, leaf collection and bulk items are in our trash and recycling guide.

Electricity

Dominion Energy supplies electricity in Arlington. Start, stop or move service on Dominion’s start service page. Landlords and property managers have a separate process. Outages: see our power outages guide.

Natural gas

Washington Gas delivers natural gas in Northern Virginia. Start service through its start and stop service page. Gas leak: leave, call 911, then 844-927-4427, option 1.

Internet

Providers differ building by building. Enter your address on the FCC National Broadband Map to see who reports service there. Xfinity publishes an Arlington, Va., service page.

Your driver’s license and car

  • Driver’s license: Virginia DMV gives new residents 60 days to get a Virginia license, and 30 days for a commercial driver’s license. Start the application online before you visit.
  • Title and registration: title your vehicle in Virginia within 30 days of moving, then register it and get Virginia plates.
  • County car tax: Arlington taxes vehicles kept in the county; the Commissioner of the Revenue assesses them, and bills are due Oct. 5. Vehicles not titled and registered in Virginia within 30 days of moving owe an annual out-of-state license tax on top. Active-duty military members and their spouses exempt from personal property tax are exempt. The Commissioner’s office in the Bozman Government Center also runs a DMV Select office by appointment.

See our property tax guide for rates and relief.

Property taxes and relief

Homeowners pay real estate tax in two halves, due June 15 and Oct. 5, based on the county’s Jan. 1 assessment. Arlington offers real estate tax relief for owners 65 and older or permanently disabled who meet income and asset limits, and an exemption for disabled veterans. The 2026 relief deadline is Nov. 16. Details are in our property tax guide.

Schools

Every public school in Arlington is run by Arlington Public Schools. New students register online or at the APS Welcome Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. (703-228-8000, option 1), with no deadline. Find your neighborhood school on the APS boundary map. See our schools guide.

Voting

Register at your new address through Virginia’s citizen portal or the county’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 703-228-3456. See our voting guide.

Pets

Arlington residents with dogs over four months old must license them and keep them vaccinated against rabies, under Virginia law. Arlington’s license lasts for the dog’s lifetime as long as its rabies vaccination stays current. Apply online through the county’s CAPP portal with a rabies certificate; allow three to five business days. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington holds rabies clinics; call 703-931-9241.

Building or renovating

Most projects need a county permit, applied for online through Permit Arlington. See our building permits and zoning guide.

Who to call

The full list of county numbers, from police non-emergency (703-558-2222) to code enforcement, is on our who to call guide. For getting around without a car, see getting around Arlington.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up water and trash service in Arlington, Virginia?

Call Arlington County’s Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, at least one business day before you move in. Water, sewer and trash are on one county account.

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

60 days, according to Virginia DMV. Commercial driver’s license holders have 30 days, and vehicles must be titled in Virginia within 30 days of moving.

Do I have to register my car with Arlington County?

Yes. Vehicles kept in Arlington are taxed by the county; the Commissioner of the Revenue (703-228-3033) assesses them. Cars not titled and registered in Virginia within 30 days of moving owe an annual out-of-state license tax.

Do I need a dog license in Arlington?

Yes. Virginia law requires a license and a rabies vaccination for dogs over four months old. Arlington’s license lasts the dog’s lifetime as long as its rabies shots stay current; apply online through the county’s CAPP portal.