New to Asheville? Start water at 828-251-1122, power with Duke Energy Progress, gas with Enbridge Gas. NC license and car registration within 60 days.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Asheville, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, the N.C. Department of Revenue and the utilities linked below. City customer service: 828-251-1122.

This is a checklist for new Asheville residents. It points to our full guides where we have them and adds the start-service links and deadlines they do not cover. Asheville is in Buncombe County; the city and the county split local services, so some of these calls go to each.

Who to call

  • City water, sewer maintenance, stormwater and trash billing: 828-251-1122, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
  • Power (Duke Energy Progress): start service; outages 800-419-6356
  • Natural gas (Enbridge Gas): start service
  • Sewer lines and treatment (MSD): 828-258-4619; sewer emergencies 828-255-0061

Utilities

Water. The City of Asheville runs the water system. To open an account, call 828-251-1122 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, the city says on its start or stop water service page. New accounts carry an application fee, and customers without established credit pay a refundable deposit. Walk-in help is at City Hall, 70 Court Plaza. The city’s combined utility bill covers water, sewer maintenance, stormwater and sanitation, as they apply to each customer, and most flat charges are billed six times a year, the city explained in 2024.

Sewer. The Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County (MSD) owns the sewer mains and treatment plant. Main contact: 828-258-4619; emergencies only: 828-255-0061, according to MSD.

Electricity. Asheville is served by Duke Energy Progress, the utility the city works with on street lights. Start, stop or move service on Duke Energy’s site. Outages and phone numbers are in our power outages guide.

Natural gas. Enbridge Gas serves gas customers in Asheville; its crews handled a Montford gas line repair with the fire department, the city reported. Check whether gas reaches your address with Enbridge’s availability tool, then start service. When this page was checked, Enbridge said its online start-service form was temporarily down and asked new customers to contact it directly.

Internet. Look up every provider that reports service at your exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map. AT&T says it provides home internet in Asheville and lets you check availability by address.

Trash and recycling

Asheville collects trash every week and recycling every other week. Find your day by address in AVL Collects. Full details: trash and recycling guide.

Driver’s license and car registration

Within 60 days of setting up a permanent home in North Carolina, if you plan to drive, you must get a North Carolina driver’s license and title and register your vehicles, the NCDMV says.

  1. License first. Visit an NCDMV driver license office with your out-of-state license (or one document proving identity and date of birth) and proof of liability insurance from a company licensed in North Carolina. A REAL ID needs two proofs of residency. Written and road tests may be waived if your out-of-state license is valid.
  2. Then title and register at a license plate agency or by mail. New residents need a valid out-of-state license and their North Carolina Temporary Driving Certificate, the title page says. Highway-use tax is due, and property tax on the vehicle can be paid then or deferred for 60 days.

Find offices with the NCDMV office locator.

Property taxes and relief

The Buncombe County Tax Department collects taxes for the county and the city, so an Asheville owner gets one bill. Rates, due dates and appeals are in our property taxes guide.

North Carolina has no general homestead exemption. Its relief programs are the elderly or disabled exclusion, the disabled veteran exclusion and the circuit breaker deferment, for homeowners who qualify by age, disability or income. Applications go to the county assessor and must be filed by June 1 to be on time, according to the state’s AV-9 application.

Schools

Asheville City Schools serves much of the city, and Buncombe County Schools serves the rest; your address decides which. See our schools guide for the lookup, calendars and report cards.

Pets

  • Dogs must have a City of Asheville license by 6 months old, renewed every year on Jan. 1, and wear the city tag and a current rabies tag, the city’s dog license page says. Licensing is online through PetData. Cats need no license but must be vaccinated for rabies.
  • An animal permit is needed to keep seven or more animals, or bees, chickens, goats, horses or exotic pets, under the city’s animal permit rules. Animal Services: 828-252-1110.

Voting, permits and contacts

What this means for you

  • Week one: water (828-251-1122), power (Duke Energy Progress), gas if you have it, internet.
  • Within 60 days: North Carolina license, then title and registration.
  • By Jan. 1: license your dog. By June 1: file for any property tax relief you qualify for.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Asheville?

Call the City of Asheville at 828-251-1122 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. The city’s combined utility bill covers water, sewer maintenance, stormwater and trash where they apply.

Who provides electricity in Asheville?

Duke Energy Progress. Start service through Duke Energy’s start, stop and move page.

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

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

Do I need a dog license in Asheville?

Yes. Dogs living in the city must have a city license by 6 months old, renewed every year on Jan. 1, and wear the license and rabies tags. Cats do not need a license.

Is there a homestead exemption in Buncombe County?

North Carolina’s property tax relief programs are the elderly or disabled exclusion, the disabled veteran exclusion and the circuit breaker deferment. Applications are due to the county by June 1.