New to Biloxi? Start power with Mississippi Power or Coast Electric, water with the city (228-435-6236), gas with CenterPoint, then tag your car with Harrison County.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page links our other Biloxi guides and adds the start-service and paperwork steps they do not cover. Utility contacts come from the City of Biloxi’s utilities page.
Welcome to Biloxi. Here is the order most new residents work through: turn on the utilities, enroll the children in school, register your car and get a Mississippi driver’s license, register to vote, and file for homestead exemption if you bought a home.
Who to call first
- Water and sewer (City of Biloxi): 228-435-6236
- Electricity: Mississippi Power, 1-800-532-1502, or Coast Electric, 877-769-2372
- Natural gas (CenterPoint Energy): 1-800-371-5417
- Car tags: Harrison County Tax Collector, 228-435-8242
- Driver’s license: Department of Public Safety, Biloxi office, 228-396-7400
Utilities
| Service | Provider | Start service |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Mississippi Power | 1-800-532-1502 or start or stop service online |
| Electricity (some addresses) | Coast Electric Power Association | 877-769-2372, coastepa.com |
| Water and sewer | City of Biloxi Water Department, 195 Reynoir St. | 228-435-6236, biloxiwater@biloxi.ms.us; pay online through the city’s billing portal |
| Garbage, trash, recycling | Harrison County Utility Authority (billed on the city utility bill) | 228-701-9086 for carts and service |
| Natural gas | CenterPoint Energy | 1-800-371-5417, centerpointenergy.com |
| Cable TV, internet, phone | Sparklight (listed by the city) | 228-374-5900, sparklight.com |
Your electric bill shows whether Mississippi Power or Coast Electric serves your address; ask the seller or landlord before you call. For other internet providers at a specific address, search the FCC’s National Broadband Map. The city offers a senior water rate application (PDF).
Your pickup day, cart rules and holiday schedule are in our trash and recycling guide. Outage numbers are in our power outages guide.
Schools
Most Biloxi addresses are in the Biloxi Public School District; part of the city is in the Harrison County School District. Registration needs an online step and an in-person residency check with two proofs of address. See our schools guide.
Your car and driver’s license
Car tags and registration are handled by the Harrison County Tax Collector, at 730 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Biloxi and two Gulfport offices. Biloxi tag and property tax information: 228-435-8242. Renewals can be done online. Mississippi collects property tax on vehicles when you register them; motor vehicles are assessed at 30% of their value, the state Department of Revenue says.
Driver’s license. Apply in person at a Mississippi Department of Public Safety office; the Biloxi office is at 16741 Mississippi 67, 228-396-7400. You can book a time with Skip the Line appointments. The Driver Service Bureau says:
- A new resident with a valid out-of-state license does not take the knowledge exam; one with an expired license does.
- Bring your Social Security card or official mail showing all nine digits, and two proofs of residency no more than 60 days old. Its required documents page lists what counts.
Voting
Register with the Harrison County Circuit Clerk (Biloxi office: 228-435-8233), by mail or when you get your driver’s license. See our voting guide.
Your home: taxes, homestead and permits
- Homestead exemption: if you own and live in your home on Jan. 1, file with the Harrison County Tax Assessor between Jan. 1 and April 1. Bring your closing statement and your vehicle tag numbers; Mississippi tags on your cars are a condition of the exemption.
- Property taxes are billed in December and due Feb. 1. See our property tax guide.
- Renovating or building: permits come from Biloxi Community Development; see our building permits guide. Check your flood zone first.
- Flood insurance: the city reminds residents that homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Our hurricane prep guide has the evacuation zones and shelters.
Pets
The city’s website does not list a pet license or registration requirement. For leash-law questions or a stray animal, call Animal Control at 228-392-0641. Biloxi has three dog parks; see our parks guide.
Stay informed
- B-Alert: text BILOXI to 77295 for city weather and traffic texts.
- Bmail: sign up for city email at biloxi.ms.us/bmail-sign-up.
- HarCo Alert: Harrison County’s emergency alerts; see our hurricane guide.
What this means for you
- Week one: water, power, gas and internet.
- First month: car tags, driver’s license and voter registration.
- By April 1: homestead exemption, if you bought.
More guides: who to call at City Hall, getting around Biloxi and Biloxi home prices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start water service in Biloxi?
Contact the City of Biloxi Water Department, 195 Reynoir St., at 228-435-6236 or biloxiwater@biloxi.ms.us. Garbage, trash and recycling are billed on the same city utility bill.
Who provides electricity in Biloxi?
Mississippi Power (1-800-532-1502) or Coast Electric Power Association (877-769-2372), depending on your address, according to the city.
Where do I get car tags in Biloxi?
At the Harrison County Tax Collector’s office, including the Biloxi office at 730 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Call 228-435-8242.
Do I need a new driver’s license when I move to Mississippi?
Yes, apply at a Mississippi Department of Public Safety driver’s license office; the Biloxi office is at 16741 Mississippi 67, 228-396-7400. New residents with a valid out-of-state license do not take the knowledge exam.
When is the homestead exemption deadline in Harrison County?
File with the Harrison County Tax Assessor between Jan. 1 and April 1 for the home you own and live in on Jan. 1.
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