Arlington, VA: New Resident Checklist

While exploring Arlington's website today I came across a new resident checklist which I thought would be great to share with people moving into the area.

NEW RESIDENT CHECKLIST:

Note: Consumers are now able to choose from several competitors for broadband, electric, gas, telephone (both local & long distance) and television service. Ask your local utility distributor about what choices are available to you.

Cable TV
Comcast of Arlington
Phone: 703-841-7700

Verizon
FIOS TV in Virginia : 866-788-3814

Community Involvement
Find out about civic associations, neighborhood organizations, volunteer opportunities and other ways to become involved in your new community.

Electricity
Dominion Virginia Power provides the regulated delivery (distribution) of electricity to your home or business. Ask your local utility about what electricity supplier choices are available to you.

Dominion Virginia Power
Apply for service by calling 1-888-667-3000/(TTY 800-552-4015)

Gas
Washington Gas delivers natural gas to your home or business and responds to any emergency involving your gas service. Ask your local utility about what natural gas supplier choices are available to you.

Washington Gas
Phone: 703-750-1000/ (TTY 703-750-7975)

Pet Licenses
Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed with the County. Phone: 703-228-3081

Residential Permit Parking
Residential Permit Parking Zones have been established in residential neighborhoods adjacent to major corridors or traffic generators. Red and white "Permit Parking" street signs indicate if a neighborhood is a residential permit area. Only neighborhood residents with County issued permits and their visitors may park on these streets during restricted parking hours; drivers without zone permit stickers (decals), a free FlexPass or a short-term visitor pass risk ticketing and towing. More information is available at the Residential Permit Parking webpage.

Schools
Student Registration: Parents should enroll school-age children as soon as they arrive in Arlington County. Register your child at the school he or she will attend. To determine the appropriate school(s), call 228-7600 and then call the Intake Center at 228-7663 to make an appointment. More information is available at the Arlington Public Schools website.

Taxes and Bills
Learn the local tax rates on personal property and real estate as well as filing requirements for personal property such as vehicle, motorcycles, and boats.

Telephone
Verizon provides and maintains the telephone network to which your home or business is connected. Several competitors provide telephone service (both local and long distance).

Verizon
Phone: 703-954-6222 for residential service. 1-800-826-2355 for business service. (TTY 800-564-0999).

Trash & Recycling/Water/Sewer Services
Call the Arlington County Utilities Services Office 228-6570 (TTY: 703-228-4611). Homeowners, and possibly renters, need to establish a County utilities account for these services.

Vehicle Registration

State of Virginia: New Virginia residents must register their vehicles within 30 days after becoming a resident in Virginia. Immediately upon registration a vehicle safety inspection is required; there is no grace period. In addition, an emissions inspection is required before the vehicle can be registered. The Arlington branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office is located at 4150 S. Four Mile Run Drive. You may title your vehicle in Virginia, register for state license plates, and apply for a Virginia driver's license there. Title and registration services are also offered at the DMV Select office in Courthouse Plaza. For complete details, visit DMV online or telephone them at 1-866-368-5463 (TTY 800-272-9268).

Vehicle Registration, Arlington: After you complete DMV registration, the next step is to register your vehicle in Arlington County. New Arlington residents must register their vehicles with the County within 60 days after moving to Arlington or immediately upon display of permanent Virginia state tags. To register your vehicle with the County, fill out the online form or simply bring your state registration papers to the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 218. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Your first County windshield decal will cost $25.00. With this registration, you are automatically registered on the County's personal property tax rolls. For more information, telephone (703) 228-3135.

Voter Registration
If you are a new Virginia resident, you must register in order to be able to vote in Virginia. If you moved to Arlington from another Virginia jurisdiction, you must transfer your voter registration to Arlington County. Both tasks may be accomplished at the Office of Voter Registration, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 320. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Or, you may register to vote when you register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Registration forms also are available in Arlington Public Libraries and Arlington Public Schools. You must register at least 29 days before a primary or general election or 14 days before a special election. Telephone 703-228-3456.