New to Winchester? Start water and sewer with the city (540-773-1358), power with SVEC, gas with Washington Gas, then register your car and get a dog tag.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. This page links our other guides and adds what they do not cover. Facts come from the City of Winchester, Virginia DMV, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative and Washington Gas.

Winchester is an independent city: the city, not a county, runs your water, sewer, trash, schools, taxes and elections. This checklist covers the first month in the order most people need it.

Who to call first

  • City utility account (water, sewer, trash, stormwater): 540-773-1358, customerservice@winchesterva.gov, 301 E. Cork St.
  • Electricity: Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, 800-234-7832
  • Natural gas emergency or leak: call 911, then Washington Gas, 844-927-4427, option 1
  • City Hall main line: 540-667-1815

1. Water, sewer and trash: the city

The city bills water, sewer, trash, recycling and stormwater on one utility bill. To start service, according to the city’s My Bill page:

  • Fill out the water and sewer application or apply in person at the customer service office, Public Services Campus, 301 E. Cork St.
  • Applications and fees are due by 4 p.m. the business day before service starts.
  • New customers pay a security deposit. Owners get it credited after a year of on-time payments; renters get it applied to the final bill.
  • Renters: your landlord must sign and submit the tenant form first.
  • Pay online through the city’s Paymentus portal or by phone at 844-334-8106.

Trash and recycling go out on your ward’s weekday and yard waste on Fridays. Request carts and learn the rules in our trash and recycling guide.

2. Electricity: SVEC

Federal utility data for 2024 lists Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative as the electric utility for the city. Start service through SVEC’s new member information page or by calling 800-234-7832. Keep that number for outages; see our power outages guide.

3. Natural gas

Frederick County’s utilities list names Shenandoah Gas, part of Washington Gas, as the area’s natural gas company. Start, stop or move service through My Washington Gas. If you smell gas, leave the building, call 911 and then Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

4. Internet, TV and phone

Providers that publish service pages for the area include Xfinity (Comcast) for Winchester. Frederick County’s utilities list also names Verizon, Lumos Networks, Visuallink, Wave2Net and Winchester Wireless, plus satellite services. Check which ones serve your exact address on the FCC’s National Broadband Map.

5. Car, license and plates

From Virginia DMV’s new resident checklist:

  • Driver’s license: within 60 days of moving to Virginia (30 days for a commercial license).
  • Title and register your vehicle within 30 days; insure it first. Winchester is not on DMV’s list of localities that require an emissions inspection.
  • The city’s voting page lists a DMV office at 4050 Valley Pike.

Then register the vehicle with the city’s Commissioner of the Revenue within 45 days of moving in, or a 10% late fee is added, using the add or register a vehicle form. The city taxes vehicles as personal property; see our property tax guide.

6. Property tax and relief

Real estate tax is billed in halves due June 5 and Dec. 5. The city does not list a general homestead exemption; its relief programs are for elderly or permanently disabled owners, who must apply by April 1 each year, and for qualifying disabled veterans. Details in our property tax guide.

7. Dog license

All dogs 4 months and older in the city must wear a city dog tag. Tags go on sale April 1, must be on the dog by May 1 and must be bought by April 30 to avoid a late penalty. Bring a current rabies certificate. Apply with the dog tag license application (PDF) or call the Treasurer’s Office, 540-667-1815, option 3.

8. Schools, voting and the rest

What this means for you

  • Day 1: water and sewer with the city, power with SVEC, gas if your home has it.
  • First 30 days: title and register your car with DMV.
  • First 45 days: register the car with the city.
  • First 60 days: Virginia driver’s license.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up water service in Winchester, Virginia?

Apply online or in person at the city’s customer service office, 301 E. Cork St., by 4 p.m. the business day before service starts. New customers pay a security deposit, and renters need their landlord to sign the tenant form. Questions: 540-773-1358.

Who provides electricity in Winchester?

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is the electric utility federal data lists for the city. New members start service through SVEC, 800-234-7832.

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

Sixty days, according to Virginia DMV. Vehicles must be titled and registered in Virginia within 30 days of moving, and registered with the city’s Commissioner of the Revenue within 45 days.

Does Winchester require a vehicle emissions inspection?

No. Virginia DMV’s emissions inspection list covers Northern Virginia localities such as Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, not Winchester.

Do I need a dog license in Winchester?

Yes. Every dog 4 months and older in the city must wear a city dog tag. Tags go on sale April 1 and must be bought by April 30 to avoid a late penalty; bring a current rabies certificate.