Moving to Dunwoody, GA? Your Complete Utility Setup Guide (2026)

Dunwoody is one of the most walkable, MARTA-connected cities in North Atlanta — Perimeter Mall, easy access to GA-400 and I-285, and a mix of high-rise condos, townhomes, and established single-family neighborhoods. Incorporated in 2008, it's also one of the few cities on this site located in DeKalb County rather than Fulton County — which changes several utility providers compared to Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.

This guide walks you through everything you need to set up as a new Dunwoody resident, including a DeKalb County requirement that catches a lot of people buying older homes off guard.

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Dunwoody Utility Setup Checklist

• Electricity — Georgia Power (most residents)
• Water & Sewer — DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
• Natural Gas — Atlanta Gas Light + your choice of gas marketer
• Internet — AT&T Fiber, Xfinity, EarthLink, or others (address-dependent)
• Trash & Recycling — DeKalb County Sanitation
• Low-Flow Plumbing Certificate — required for water service on pre-1993 homes
• Georgia Driver's License — required within 30 days of becoming a GA resident

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1. Electricity — Georgia Power (Mostly)

Dunwoody does not provide its own electric service. Most residents are served by Georgia Power, though DeKalb County as a whole also has small areas served by Snapping Shoals EMC and Walton EMC. Dunwoody's average residential rate runs around 15.2 cents per kWh, with a typical monthly bill around $153.

How to set up service:

1. Visit GeorgiaPower.com or call 1-888-660-5890
2. Have your new address, move-in date, Social Security number, and photo ID ready
3. Schedule your start date at least 3–5 business days before moving in
4. An Account Establishment Charge applies to your first bill, and a deposit may be required for new accounts depending on credit history

If you're unsure of your provider: Cooperative service (Snapping Shoals or Walton EMC) is uncommon in Dunwoody proper but worth a quick check if Georgia Power's system doesn't recognize your address.

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2. Water & Sewer — DeKalb County (and a Requirement Worth Knowing About)

Unlike the Fulton County cities to the south, water and sewer in Dunwoody are handled by the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management through its Utility Customer Operations Service Center (UCO).

How to set up service:

• Email newwaterservice@dekalbcountyga.gov to start a new account, or apply online through DeKalb County's water/sewer application
• You'll need proof of residency — for homeowners, DeKalb County typically wants your closing disclosure or settlement statement

The Low-Flow Plumbing Certificate

Here's the part that surprises people buying older homes in Dunwoody: DeKalb County will not establish new water service without a certificate proving the home has low-flow plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads, faucets).

• If your home was built before 1993, you may need to have these fixtures verified or replaced before water service can be activated
• If you're buying a home, make sure your seller provides this certificate at closing — it can otherwise turn into a last-minute scramble right before move-in
• If you're renting, this is typically the landlord's responsibility, but it's worth confirming during your walkthrough

Start your water application early — at least 1–2 weeks before move-in — specifically because of this certificate requirement.

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3. Natural Gas — Atlanta Gas Light + Your Gas Marketer

Like the rest of metro Atlanta, Dunwoody operates on Georgia's deregulated natural gas market, meaning two separate things to set up:

3a. Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) — The Pipes

AGL owns and maintains the gas pipeline infrastructure throughout DeKalb County. For emergencies, call 1-877-427-4321.

3b. Your Gas Marketer — Who Bills You

You separately choose a company to supply and bill you for the gas itself. Popular options in Dunwoody include:

Compare current rates at GeorgiaGas.com. Fixed-rate plans protect against winter price spikes; variable plans can be cheaper short-term but fluctuate seasonally.

If you're struggling with a gas bill: DeKalb County residents have access to additional hardship resources, including LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program) for water, and nonprofits like United Way 2-1-1 for general utility assistance.

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4. Internet — The Best Providers in Dunwoody

Dunwoody's dense, urban-suburban layout means strong competition among providers, with more variety than some neighboring cities.

AT&T Fiber — Best Overall ⭐

AT&T Fiber offers symmetrical gigabit speeds across much of Dunwoody — upload matches download, which matters for remote work and video calls.

Best for: Remote workers, streamers, multi-device households
Check AT&T availability at your address →

Xfinity — Best Coverage

Xfinity cable internet covers most of Dunwoody with strong promotional pricing and bundle options.

Best for: Households that want plan flexibility or a TV bundle
Check Xfinity availability at your address →

EarthLink — A DeKalb County Option

EarthLink has a notable presence in DeKalb County, including Dunwoody, often as a DSL or fiber reseller option. Worth checking if you want an alternative to the big two.

Spectrum — Where Available

Spectrum offers no-contract cable plans with no data caps where available.

Check Spectrum availability at your address →

Want a deeper comparison? See our full guide to the best internet providers in Dunwoody.

Note: With AT&T, Xfinity, EarthLink, Spectrum, and fixed-wireless options like T-Mobile and Verizon all potentially serving Dunwoody addresses, it's worth checking 2–3 providers — coverage and pricing can vary more here than in less dense cities.

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5. Trash & Recycling — DeKalb County Sanitation

Unlike Johns Creek, Milton, and Sandy Springs, Dunwoody residents typically get trash service through DeKalb County rather than a private hauler of their choice (though some multi-family communities use private services like Waste Management or Republic Services through their HOA or property manager).

How to set up service:

• New service requires proof of property ownership
• Submit your application online, in person at the sanitation division's administration building, by mail, or via secure drop box
• Recycling participation is optional — residents can request a complimentary 35-gallon cart or upgrade to a 65-gallon cart for a one-time $15 fee

If you live in a high-rise or apartment complex: Check with your building management first — many handle trash and recycling directly as part of your lease.

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6. Georgia Driver's License & Vehicle Registration

Once you establish Georgia residency, you have 30 days to apply for a Georgia Driver's License. You'll need to surrender your current out-of-state license and pass a vision exam. Vehicle registration follows the same timeline.

• Schedule at dds.georgia.gov
• The DeKalb County DDS office is located in Decatur, inside The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall — a reasonable drive from Dunwoody

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Smart Home Upgrades Worth Installing on Day One

A few devices that make sense for Dunwoody's mix of condos, townhomes, and single-family homes.

Smart Thermostat — ecobee

With average electric bills around $153/month and rising in summer, the ecobee smart thermostat is a strong first investment. It learns your schedule, adjusts when you're away, and works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.

Check price on Amazon →

Video Doorbell — eufy Security E340

Whether you're in a high-rise near Perimeter or a single-family home, the eufy Security E340 dual-camera doorbell covers your entry and package zone with no monthly subscription and local storage.

Check price on Amazon →

Water Filter Pitcher — Brita

DeKalb County water is treated and safe, but a Brita pitcher is a simple upgrade for better-tasting drinking water, especially if you're in an older building with older plumbing.

Check price on Amazon →

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Estimated Monthly Utility Costs in Dunwoody

If you live in a condo or apartment, check your HOA fees first — water, trash, and sometimes even internet are often bundled in for multi-family properties in Dunwoody.

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Your Dunwoody New Resident Setup Timeline

2–3 weeks before move-in:

• Set up Georgia Power (electricity)
• Start your DeKalb County water/sewer application — confirm the low-flow plumbing certificate is in place if buying an older home
• Choose and set up your natural gas marketer
• Research internet providers at your specific address — Dunwoody has more options than most cities on this list

1 week before move-in:

• Confirm all utility start dates
• Set up DeKalb County sanitation (or confirm building/HOA handles it)

Within 30 days of move-in:

• Visit DDS in Decatur for your Georgia Driver's License
• Register your vehicle in Georgia

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Final Thoughts

Dunwoody's utility setup follows a different pattern than the Fulton County cities on this site — DeKalb County handles both water/sewer and trash, and the low-flow plumbing certificate is a real thing to plan around if you're buying an older home. Everything else is familiar: Georgia Power for electricity, deregulated gas, and a competitive internet market.

If you found this guide helpful, check out our full Dunwoody utility comparison pages, or explore guides for nearby cities like Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Alpharetta.

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Last updated: June 2026. Provider availability and pricing change frequently — always verify directly with the provider before signing up.