Groveland City Hall and New Resident Resource Guide
Utilities, homestead, HOAs, permits, and the numbers to call, for buyers under contract and new Groveland residents.
Getting Settled in Groveland
Buyers under contract in Groveland and new residents getting settled run into the same practical questions quickly: who handles my water, when is the homestead deadline, and where do I go for permits. The first thing to know is whether your address is inside Groveland city limits or in unincorporated Lake County, because that decides who provides your water, trash, permits, and police.
Confirm and Set Up Utilities
Inside city limits, the City of Groveland provides water and sewer. Set up your account with Utility Billing at City Hall, (352) 429-2141. Homeowners need a warranty deed or closing disclosure and a valid driver’s license, and service starts on the date shown on those documents. The residential deposit is $200 plus a $50 service charge.
Curbside garbage and recycling are handled by Waste Connections of Florida and billed through the city. For water emergencies after hours, call (352) 429-4166.
Electric service in the Groveland area comes from either Duke Energy Florida or SECO Energy, depending on your address. Outside city limits, water may come from a private utility or a well, so confirm with the seller before closing.
Review HOA and CDD Documents
Most newer Groveland neighborhoods are HOA-governed, and the rules vary widely, from 55+ resort communities with large amenity packages to family subdivisions with modest fees. Many newer master-planned communities also carry CDD assessments, which appear as a separate line on your property tax bill and are easy to miss if you only read the HOA documents.
Before you commit, review the CC&Rs, bylaws, age restrictions if any, and the most recent financial statements. For sellers, any pending special assessments should be disclosed early, and the HOA estoppel certificate, which Florida law caps at $299 for a standard request, confirms what is owed at closing.
File for Your Homestead Exemption
Florida’s homestead exemption reduces your property’s taxable assessed value by up to $51,411 for 2026. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. The second portion, up to $26,411 and adjusted each year for inflation, applies to assessed value over $50,000 and only to non-school taxes.
The Save Our Homes cap limits annual increases in your assessed value to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, and that cap compounds into real savings over time.
To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on January 1 and file with the Lake County Property Appraiser by March 1 at (352) 253-2150. If you are selling a Florida homestead and buying in Groveland, ask about portability and file form DR-501T with your new application. If school zones matter to your search, the Groveland schools guide covers the details.
On the November 3, 2026 ballot: Amendment 3 would raise the non-school homestead exemption to up to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It needs 60% of the vote to pass. Save Our Homes and portability stay the same, and people who become Florida residents on or after January 1, 2027 would start at $50,000. We will update this section after the election.
Permits, Licenses, and Registration
Groveland City Hall at 156 S Lake Ave is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and handles utility accounts and general city questions.
Inside city limits, building permits go through the city’s Building Division on the second floor of the Public Safety Complex at 6825 SR 50. Call City Hall and choose option 2. Outside city limits, permits come from Lake County Building Services. Check before starting a pool, fence, roof, or addition, because the wrong office means a delay.
For vehicle registration, driver licenses, and property tax payments, contact the Lake County Tax Collector.
Know Who to Call
Groveland’s police and fire departments share the Public Safety Complex at 6825 SR 50. Outside city limits, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement at (352) 343-2101. For any emergency, call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inside city limits, call City of Groveland Utility Billing at (352) 429-2141 for water, sewer, and garbage. Bring a warranty deed or closing disclosure and a valid driver’s license. Electricity comes from Duke Energy Florida or SECO Energy, depending on your address.
You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence on January 1, then file with the Lake County Property Appraiser by March 1. The office is at (352) 253-2150. For 2026 the exemption is worth up to $51,411 off your assessed value.
Not always. A Groveland mailing address can include homes in unincorporated Lake County, which changes who provides water, permits, and law enforcement. Check your property record on the Lake County Property Appraiser’s website, or ask us and we will confirm it before you make an offer.
Inside city limits, permits come from the City of Groveland Building Division at the Public Safety Complex, 6825 SR 50. Call (352) 429-2141 and choose option 2. Outside city limits, contact Lake County Building Services at (352) 343-9653.
Groveland, Florida Resource Directory
Community Resources
The Marion Baysinger Memorial Library at 756 W Broad St is Groveland’s Lake County library branch, at (352) 429-5840. The city’s Parks & Community Services department at 239 N Main Ave runs local parks and community events; reach it through City Hall at (352) 429-2141.
Lake David Park downtown has boat ramps, a fishing pier, and an amphitheater. LakeXpress, Lake County’s public bus service, is at (352) 323-5733, and the South Lake Chamber of Commerce is at (352) 394-4191.
We Handle the Details That Catch People Off Guard
The Erica Diaz Team handles the details that catch people off guard, from confirming who provides your water to checking a community’s HOA and CDD costs before you write an offer. Talk to a Groveland real estate agent.
