New to Greenville? Start water with Greenville Water (864-241-6000), power with Duke Energy and gas with Piedmont, then get an SC license and tag within 45 days.
Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. This page links our other guides and the official start-service pages. Facts come from the City of Greenville’s Greenville Cares page, Greenville Water, the SCDMV and Greenville County. City customer service, Greenville Cares: 864-232-2273, call or text.
Welcome to Greenville. The city’s own help line, Greenville Cares, answers calls and texts at 864-232-2273 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and City Hall, 206 S. Main St., takes walk-ins from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, the city’s Greenville Cares page says. Use the city’s address and services search to see what serves your address, and check whether you are inside the city limits: many Greenville mailing addresses are not.
Who to call
- City questions: Greenville Cares, 864-232-2273
- Water: Greenville Water, 864-241-6000
- Power: Duke Energy, 844-378-6352 (home)
- Natural gas: Piedmont Natural Gas, 800-752-7504
- Trash carts for new construction: Solid Waste, 864-467-4345
Utilities: start service
| Service | Provider | Start service |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Greenville Water, 407 W. Broad St., 864-241-6000 | Start/Stop/Move form |
| Sewer (inside the city) | City of Greenville Wastewater Division | Charged by meter size; see the city’s wastewater page |
| Electricity | Duke Energy, 844-378-6352 | Start, stop or move service |
| Natural gas | Piedmont Natural Gas, 800-752-7504 | Start, stop or move service |
| Trash and recycling | City Solid Waste, 864-467-4345 | Automatic once water is on; see our trash guide |
The city’s Wastewater Division maintains 355 miles of sewer lines that carry wastewater to the Mauldin Road treatment plant, and its operations are paid for by a sanitary sewer charge based on meter size, the city says. Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and Greenville Water are the utilities the city lists for residents. Outside the city, some addresses are served by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; see our power outages guide.
Internet
AT&T publishes home internet plans for Greenville. To see every provider that reports service at your exact address, search the FCC’s National Broadband Map.
Your license and your car
From the SCDMV:
- Driver’s license: apply for a South Carolina license or ID within 45 days of moving, and turn in your out-of-state license. Bring proof of identity, U.S. citizenship and date of birth, and proof of your physical South Carolina address dated within nine months (two proofs for a REAL ID). You must pass a vision test.
- Vehicle registration: register your vehicles within 45 days. Pay the vehicle’s personal property tax to Greenville County first: the SCDMV requires the original paid property tax receipt from your county treasurer, along with your out-of-state title or registration, under its moving to SC rules. Greenville County’s Auditor handles vehicle tax assessments at 864-467-7040.
- Keep your registration and proof of insurance in the car.
Property taxes and the 4% rate
If you buy a home you will live in, apply for the 4% legal residence assessment with Greenville County Real Property Services, 864-467-7300, by Jan. 15. Homeowners 65 or older, blind or disabled may also qualify for the homestead exemption, which takes $50,000 off the value of a legal residence. Details, deadlines and rates are in our property taxes guide.
Pets
In the City of Greenville, a current metal rabies tag from a South Carolina veterinarian is the license for dogs and cats, and it must stay on the pet’s collar or harness, the city’s animal control page says. Dogs must be on a leash or under control off your property. City animal control: 864-271-5333.
Our guides for new residents
- Trash and recycling: pickup days, holidays, bulk pickup
- Property taxes: rates, due dates, appeals
- Building permits and zoning
- Schools: Greenville County Schools zones, calendars and ratings
- Voting: register with Greenville County Voter Registration and Elections
- Power outages: who to call
- Who to call at City Hall
- Getting around: Greenlink, the trolley and parking
- Population and growth
What this means for you
- Start water first: in eligible city homes it also starts trash service.
- Put the 45-day license and tag deadline on your calendar, and pay the county vehicle tax before you go to the DMV.
- Buying a home? File for the 4% rate by Jan. 15.
More: history and landmarks and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start water service in Greenville, SC?
Greenville Water starts, stops and moves service through the online form on its Start/Stop/Move page, or call 864-241-6000, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. City trash service starts automatically once water is on at an eligible home.
How long do I have to get a South Carolina driver’s license after moving?
45 days, the SCDMV says. You also have 45 days to register your vehicles, and you must pay the county’s vehicle property tax first and bring the paid receipt.
Do I need to license my dog in the City of Greenville?
A current metal rabies tag from a South Carolina veterinarian counts as the city license for dogs and cats, and it must be worn on the pet’s collar or harness.
When is the deadline for the 4% legal residence rate in Greenville County?
Apply to Real Property Services by Jan. 15. The 4% assessment applies to the owner-occupied home that is your legal residence.
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