New to Wake Forest? Find your electric provider, open a Raleigh Water account (trash comes with it), call Enbridge Gas and get an N.C. license within 60 days.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. A checklist for new residents. Facts come from the Town of Wake Forest’s newcomer page and utilities contacts, and from each provider, linked below. Our other guides are linked, not repeated.

Start with your electric provider: Wake Forest has three. The town-owned Wake Forest Power serves part of town; other addresses get power from Duke Energy Progress or Wake Electric, so check the listing or ask your landlord or builder. Water and sewer come from Raleigh Water (919-996-3245), and opening that account starts your town trash service. Town Hall: 919-435-9400, 301 S. Brooks St.

Who to call

  • Wake Forest Power (new service): 919-435-9478
  • Duke Energy Progress: 800-419-6356
  • Wake Electric: 800-474-6300
  • Raleigh Water: 919-996-3245
  • Enbridge Gas North Carolina: 877-776-2427
  • Wake County Animal Control: 919-212-7387

Power

Outages and the three providers’ outage maps: see our power outages guide.

Water, sewer and trash

Wake Forest’s water and sewer systems merged with Raleigh’s, so Raleigh Water runs both. Start, stop or transfer service on its service request page or call 919-996-3245. Customer care is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

When you open a Raleigh Water account, you are added to the town’s trash and recycling service automatically, and a monthly solid waste fee appears on that bill, the town’s billing page says. Owners of new construction must also email Public Works to have the address added. Carts stay with the house. Pickup days, holidays and bulk pickup: our trash and recycling guide.

Natural gas

Gas service comes from Enbridge Gas North Carolina, 877-776-2427, the gas number on the town’s utilities page. Use its start, stop or transfer page and its tool to check gas availability at your address. When we checked, the company said online start requests were temporarily unavailable and asked new customers to call. You must be home when gas service is connected.

Internet

These providers publish service in Wake Forest; check your exact address on each site:

Driver’s license and car tags

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles says:

  • Get a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your N.C. address (two for a REAL ID) and proof of N.C. liability insurance.
  • Get the license first, then title and register your vehicle at a license plate agency when you take a job here or when your old state’s grace period ends (usually 30 days), whichever comes first. Out-of-state insurance policies are not accepted.
  • No inspection is needed to register at first; one is required before you renew.

The town’s newcomer page lists a license plate agency at 2012 S. Main St., 919-554-0770; confirm it with the DMV’s office locator. On Aug. 17, 2026, the DMV said it was seeking space for a new driver license office in the Wake Forest or Rolesville area and would move its contracted plate agency there.

Property taxes and tax relief

Your home is taxed by the town and by Wake County, or by Franklin County in the northern part of town, which bills those owners itself. Seniors, disabled owners and disabled veterans can apply for relief; the deadline is June 1 each year. Rates, due dates and appeals: our property taxes guide.

Pets

Wake Forest does not require pets to be licensed, the town’s animal control page says, but keep rabies vaccinations current under state law. Wake County Animal Control enforces the county leash law in town and in town parks; call 919-212-7387. Flaherty Dog Park, 1100 N. White St., is free and open dawn to dusk.

The rest of the checklist

  • Schools: find your assigned Wake County public schools in our schools guide.
  • Voting: register with your new address; see our voting guide.
  • Building or renovating: permits and zoning.
  • Everyone else at Town Hall: who to call.
  • Getting around: roads, buses and parking in our getting around guide.
  • Post office: 224 E. Holding Ave. Public library: 400 E. Holding Ave. Both are listed on the town’s newcomer page.

Frequently asked questions

Who provides electricity in Wake Forest, NC?

It depends on the address. The town owns Wake Forest Power, and other parts of Wake Forest are served by Duke Energy Progress or the Wake Electric cooperative. Each takes new customers through its own start-service page.

How do I set up water and trash service in Wake Forest?

Open an account with Raleigh Water, which serves Wake Forest, at 919-996-3245 or online. The town says you are added to its trash and recycling service automatically when you do; new construction must also contact Wake Forest Public Works.

How long do I have to get a North Carolina driver’s license after moving?

60 days from establishing a permanent residence, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. You must get the license before you title and register your vehicle.

Do I need to license my dog or cat in Wake Forest?

No. The town says Wake Forest does not require pets to be licensed, but rabies vaccinations must be kept current under state law and Wake County’s leash law applies in town.

Who provides natural gas in Wake Forest?

Enbridge Gas North Carolina, at 877-776-2427, the gas number the town lists. You must be home when gas service is connected, the town says.