New to Winston-Salem? Start water through CityLink, power with Duke Energy, gas with Piedmont, get an N.C. driver's license within 60 days and find your trash day.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page links our other guides and the official start-service pages. City questions: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000.

Welcome to Winston-Salem. Most of what a new household needs comes from four places: the city for water, sewer and trash, Duke Energy for power, Piedmont Natural Gas for gas, and the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles for your license and tags. Here is the order to do it in, with the official links.

Who to call

1. Water and sewer

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities provides water and sewer. Start, stop or transfer service by calling CityLink at 336-727-8000, or in person at the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St., Suite 121, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the city’s start service page. Have ready:

  • The name for the account, the start date, and the service and mailing addresses.
  • A copy of your lease if you rent, or the city’s proof of occupancy form.
  • A Social Security number or tax ID for a credit check. Without one, a deposit is required.

Requests made before 5 p.m. on a weekday are usually turned on the same day; after hours, on weekends or holidays, the next business day.

2. Power and gas

The city lists Duke Energy for electricity and Piedmont Natural Gas for natural gas on its utilities page. Start service online:

Save Duke’s outage text number, 57801, now; see power outages.

3. Internet

AT&T publishes Winston-Salem service pages, and says availability depends on the address:

To see every provider reporting service at your address, including cable, fiber, fixed wireless and satellite, search the FCC National Broadband Map.

4. Driver’s license, tags and title

From the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles’ 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. You must have a North Carolina license or ID before you can title and register a vehicle. For a REAL ID, bring two proofs of residency.
  • Register when you take a job here or when your old state’s reciprocity period ends (usually 30 days), whichever comes first. Take your title (or registration card if a lender holds it), an MVR-1 title application and proof of North Carolina insurance to a license plate agency. Out-of-state insurance policies are not accepted.
  • Inspection is not needed for the first registration, but is required before you renew.

Find the nearest driver license office or license plate agency with the NCDMV office locator. Your vehicle property tax is billed with your registration renewal under the state’s Tag and Tax system.

5. Trash, recycling and leaves

Find your pickup day with the city’s Winston-Salem Collects app or service finder. Garbage goes weekly and recycling every other week; leaf collection starts Nov. 2. Details: trash and recycling.

6. Schools

Every traditional public school in the city belongs to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, 336-727-2292. See our schools guide for test results and the state report cards.

7. Property taxes and tax relief

Forsyth County bills the county and city property tax together; for 2026, $1.143 per $100 of value inside the city. Bills are due Sept. 1 and payable without interest through Jan. 5. For a home you live in, North Carolina’s homestead relief programs cover homeowners 65 and older, totally and permanently disabled homeowners and disabled veterans who qualify; the application deadline is June 1, according to the county’s property tax relief page. See property taxes.

8. Pets

Dogs and cats are licensed through Forsyth County Animal Control, 336-703-2480, according to the county’s tax FAQ.

9. Register to vote

Register with the Forsyth County Board of Elections, 336-703-2800, once you have lived in the county 30 days before an election. See voting.

Also useful

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Winston-Salem?

Call CityLink at 336-727-8000 or go to the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St., Suite 121, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Requests made before 5 p.m. on a weekday are usually turned on the same day.

Who provides electricity and gas in Winston-Salem?

Duke Energy supplies electricity and Piedmont Natural Gas supplies natural gas, according to the city. Start service on each company’s start, stop or move page.

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. Get the license first.

Do I need a vehicle inspection to register my car in North Carolina?

Not for the first registration. North Carolina requires an inspection before you can renew the registration.

Where do I register my dog in Winston-Salem?

Dogs and cats are licensed through Forsyth County Animal Control, not the county tax office. Call 336-703-2480.