New to Lexington? Start KU power, Kentucky American Water and Columbia Gas, get a Kentucky license within 30 days and title your car within 10. LexCall: 311.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is an index: it links our own guides and the official start-service pages, which have the details and current fees. Questions about any city service: LexCall, 311 or 859-425-2255.

Welcome to Lexington. The city and Fayette County share one government, so most services come from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government no matter where in the county you live. Utilities are a mix of private companies and city services. This checklist covers what to set up, in roughly the order you need it.

First calls

  • City services: LexCall, 311 or 859-425-2255
  • Power: Kentucky Utilities, 800-981-0600, or Blue Grass Energy in some areas
  • Water: Kentucky American Water, 1-800-678-6301
  • Car title, registration and plates: Fayette County Clerk, 162 E. Main St., 859-253-3344

Utilities

Electricity. Two utilities have lines in Fayette County. Kentucky Utilities (KU), part of LG&E and KU, takes start-service requests online or at 800-981-0600. The Blue Grass Energy cooperative serves some areas and publishes a service territory map. See power outages for outage numbers and maps.

Water. Kentucky American Water supplies drinking water. Turn service on through its MyWater online account or call 1-800-678-6301.

Sewer, landfill and water quality fees. These are city charges, billed by LEXserv, 218 E. Main St., 859-280-8047. When you start or transfer water service with Kentucky American Water, the company passes the information to LEXserv, so a separate sign-up is usually not needed. If your LEXserv bill carries only the landfill or water quality fee, call LEXserv to transfer the account, the city’s transfer page says. LEXserv bills can run two to three weeks behind the water bill.

Natural gas. Columbia Gas of Kentucky, headquartered in Lexington, serves 30 Kentucky counties. Start service online with your name, Social Security or taxpayer ID number, phone, date of birth, email, address and start date. In a gas emergency, go outside, call 911, then Columbia Gas at 1-800-432-9515.

Trash and recycling. Homes with city waste collection get a green trash cart, a blue recycling cart and a gray yard waste cart; some apartments and neighborhoods use a private hauler instead. See trash and recycling to look up your day and order a cart.

Internet. Providers that publish service pages for Lexington addresses include Spectrum and AT&T. Check your exact address with each provider; availability varies street by street.

Your car and driver’s license

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s New to Kentucky page:

  • Driver’s license: get a Kentucky license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Bring proof of identity, your Social Security card, proof of Kentucky residency and your out-of-state license to a Driver Licensing Regional Office. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license usually need only a vision screening; if any testing is required, book it with the Kentucky State Police first.
  • Vehicle: insure it with a company authorized in Kentucky, and title and register it within 10 days of becoming a resident.
  • Inspection: a vehicle from another state must be inspected by a certified inspector before it can be licensed. In Lexington, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Automobile Inspection Division does this; call 859-252-1771 for an appointment.
  • Title and plates: go to the Fayette County Clerk, 162 E. Main St., with proof of Kentucky insurance issued within the last 45 days, your Kentucky driver’s license, ID card or Social Security card, and the other items on the state’s out-of-state title list.

Schools

Every public school student attends Fayette County Public Schools. Find your zoned school on the SchoolSite Locator and enroll online, then finish with the school’s registrar. You need two proofs of residence and a Kentucky immunization certificate. Full details: schools guide.

Property taxes and the homestead exemption

The PVA values property as of Jan. 1; the sheriff sends bills each fall. If you are 65 or older or totally disabled, apply to the Fayette County PVA for the homestead exemption, $49,100 off your assessed value for 2026. Call 859-246-2722. Details: property taxes.

Voting

Register at GoVote.ky.gov or at the County Clerk’s office. Registration closes 28 days before each election. See voting in Fayette County.

Pets

All dogs and cats must be licensed every year starting at 6 months old and vaccinated for rabies at 4 months, and must wear their license and rabies tags, according to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control. Buy a license at a participating veterinarian or at the shelter office, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dogs must be leashed or fenced whenever they are outside. Questions: 859-255-9033.

Building or renovating

Fences 24 inches and up, decks and additions need permits. See building permits and zoning.

Who to call

The full list of city and county numbers, including every council member, is on who to call at City Hall. For roads and transit, see getting around Lexington.

Frequently asked questions

How soon do I need a Kentucky license? Within 30 days of becoming a resident; title and register your car within 10 days.

Who supplies water? Kentucky American Water, 1-800-678-6301.

Do I need to license my pet? Yes, every dog and cat from 6 months old.