Short answer
Utility setup is one of those closing-week tasks that's easy to forget until the day you arrive at your new home to no power or water. This article covers which providers serve which areas of Greater Seattle, what to set up, and how to time it.
Before closing: what to do
Check who the current providers are. Ask your agent or the listing agent. Utility provider names are often on the Form 17 seller disclosure. You can also look up by address on provider websites.
Contact providers 1–2 weeks before closing. Most utility companies allow you to schedule a service start date in advance. Set the start date to your closing date (recording day).
Transfer, don't just connect. For most utilities, you're starting a new account (not "transferring" the seller's account). Some providers may offer account transfers but the practical effect is the same — you're taking over billing.
Electricity
Seattle and nearby areas: Seattle City Light (SCL)
Seattle City Light serves Seattle proper, plus parts of adjacent unincorporated areas. It's a municipal utility — one of the largest public utilities in the country — and is known for relatively low rates compared to investor-owned utilities, largely due to hydropower.
Set up: seattle.gov/city-light or call. You'll need your new address, a start date, and identity verification.
Eastside cities: Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, and most other Eastside cities use PSE for electricity. PSE is an investor-owned utility with higher average rates than Seattle City Light.
Set up: pse.com — start service or transfer account.
Exception areas: Snohomish County (Bothell, Lynnwood, Kenmore on the north side) is served by Snohomish County PUD (SnoPUD). Verify which utility serves your specific address.
Natural gas
Puget Sound Energy provides natural gas service across most of Greater Seattle and the Eastside, including areas served by Seattle City Light for electricity. Natural gas is separate from electricity — you may need two accounts with PSE (electricity and gas) or one PSE account (gas) plus Seattle City Light (electricity).
Gas service start: If gas service has been off at the property, PSE typically requires an in-person appointment for a technician to turn on the meter and light pilots. This can take a few days to schedule. Plan ahead if you're moving in the fall or winter — delays can mean no heat or hot water.
No gas at the property? Some homes, particularly newer construction and condos, are all-electric. Verify before assuming.
Set up: pse.com — same portal as electricity for PSE customers.
Water and sewer
Seattle: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
SPU provides water, sewer, and drainage services for Seattle addresses. Garbage and recycling are also billed through SPU (see below).
Set up: seattle.gov/utilities — new account or transfer.
Note: water and sewer are billed together on a single SPU bill. The bill is usually billed bi-monthly (every two months). Budget for this billing cycle when you first move in — two months of usage bills at once can surprise new homeowners.
Eastside: city utilities vary
Water service on the Eastside is provided by city utilities or water districts, not a single regional entity:
- Bellevue: City of Bellevue Utilities
- Kirkland: City of Kirkland Utilities
- Redmond: City of Redmond Utilities
- Sammamish and unincorporated areas: Eastside Utility District, Cascade Water Alliance members, or other water districts
Contact your specific city's utility department or look up the service district for your parcel address. The county assessor's parcel data often lists the relevant utility district.
Garbage and recycling
Seattle: SPU-coordinated collection
In Seattle, garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection is coordinated through Seattle Public Utilities, though actual collection is handled by contracted haulers. Collection days vary by neighborhood. When you set up your SPU account, your collection day will be identified.
Seattle requires food/yard waste collection and has strict recycling requirements. Familiarize yourself with what goes in each cart.
Eastside: city-specific programs
Eastside cities have their own garbage and recycling programs, typically contracted with waste haulers (Republic Services, Waste Management, or others depending on city). Contact your specific city's utilities or public works department to set up service.
Internet
Internet provider availability varies by address. Check availability at your specific address using each provider's website.
Common providers in the Greater Seattle area:
- Xfinity (Comcast): Cable internet, available in most Seattle and Eastside areas. Wide availability; speeds vary.
- Ziply Fiber: Expanding fiber network; available in parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and other areas. Check address-specific availability.
- Quantum Fiber (formerly CenturyLink/Lumen): Fiber and DSL; availability varies significantly by address.
- Wave Broadband: Available in some Seattle neighborhoods.
- T-Mobile and Verizon Home Internet: Fixed wireless options; available in some areas and increasingly viable as a backup or primary option in areas with limited wired infrastructure.
Allow extra time for installation scheduling — internet providers often have longer lead times than utility companies. Schedule installation before you need it.
Checklist: timing your utility setup
Aim to complete these actions 1–2 weeks before closing:
- Confirm electricity provider for your new address; schedule account start on closing date
- Confirm natural gas service (if applicable); schedule start; call ahead if gas has been off
- Set up water/sewer account start for closing date
- Set up garbage/recycling for closing date or first available start date
- Research internet options at your address; schedule installation appointment (often a 1–2 week lead time)
- Cancel or transfer utilities at your old address for your move-out date
A note on timing: utility providers use your closing date to start billing. You cannot start utilities before closing (the home isn't yours). Starting them exactly on closing date means you have services running when you arrive — which matters if you're getting the home ready before moving your belongings in.