Moving here
Utilities, the DMV, voter registration, a library card, pet licensing, garage-sale rules, noise and parking ordinances.
Utilities Setup
- Electric
- Retail market
Baytown is in the Texas competitive retail electric market. Choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) via Power to Choose; CenterPoint Energy manages wires/infrastructure and handles outages. Residents do not receive a separate electric bill from CenterPoint.
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
- Start service if meter installed
If a meter is already installed: choose an REP at powertochoose.org, apply with that REP to start service; the REP sends the start order to CenterPoint. To check meter/order status, contact CenterPoint Customer Service (Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–7 p.m. per CenterPoint start-service page).
source: centerpointenergy.com/en-us/our-services/electric-utility/start-servic
- Start service if no meter
If no meter is installed: ensure site readiness (marked address, meter can, ground rod); may need Electric Service Request for construction; homeowner/business may contact CenterPoint to create ESI ID; then choose REP after ESI ID (allow 2 business days before contacting REP per CenterPoint page).
source: centerpointenergy.com/en-us/our-services/electric-utility/start-servic
- Natural gas
Gas service is provided by CenterPoint Energy. Arrange connection online via CenterPoint residential natural gas services or contact CenterPoint Energy.
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
- City water sewer trash
- Provider
City of Baytown Utility Services handles water, sewer, and garbage billing. Trash/recycling collection is under city contract with Best Trash; trash service begins automatically when new residents request water and sewer service.
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
- How to apply
Apply online for residential water/sewer service. Required: online application, acknowledgment of contract terms, proof of ownership or signed lease, and valid driver's license or ID. Utility Services office: 315 W. Texas Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520; contact Utility Services.
source: baytown.org/1085/Residential-Utility-Service-Application
- Deposits and fees
- Fees effective note
- Service-related fee table on Water Utility Accounts page lists fees effective November 1, 2025
Deposit before activation: $100 owner / $200 tenant (commercial varies). Additional $30 new service connection fee. Same-day service not available; once established, activation next business day (does not apply to under-construction). Card payments: 4% convenience fee. Owner without complete signed ownership docs assessed tenant deposit ($200) until docs submitted.
source: baytown.org/1085/Residential-Utility-Service-Application
- Required documents detail
Owners: Bill of Sale, Settlement Statement, Title Transfer Warranty Deed, or Closing Disclosure. Renters: Lease Agreement or Utility Billing form signed by landlord. Plus valid DL/ID, deposit, and service fee.
- Trash collection basics
Twice-weekly trash, weekly recycling; brush on a rotating four-zone schedule, each zone about once a month. Place at curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled day. Trash days: Mon/Thu north of Spur 330 (Decker) and north of Hwy 146; Tue/Fri south of Spur 330 and south of Hwy 146. Personal cans 30–50 gallons OK; up to ten 30-gallon bags next to bins. New/replacement bins: contact Public Works; Best Trash delivers in 5–7 business days.
source: baytown.org/295/Garbage-Recycle
- Internet and cable
- City posted provider
- Notes
- City does not post a neighborhood-by-neighborhood ISP map or alternate provider list on that page.
City Moving Here page (Cable & Internet tab): Cable television, telephone and internet service for the Baytown Area is provided by Comcast Xfinity.
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
Dmv And County Tax Office
- Driver license dps
- Location
Texas DPS Driver License office in Baytown: 5420 Decker Drive, Baytown. To reach the office, contact the Texas DPS. Email [email protected]. New residents may drive with a valid unexpired out-of-state license for 90 days after moving (per city Moving Here).
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
- Appointments
Texas DPS driver license/ID services use appointments (see DPS Driver License Services – Appointments). Baytown is listed among Saturday appointment participating offices.
source: dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/saturday-appointments-participati
- Harris county tax office baytown
- Services
Harris County Tax Office handles vehicle registration and license plates (not driver licenses/IDs). City Moving Here: located inside Justice of the Peace court at 701 W. Baker Road; contact the Harris County Tax Office.
source: baytown.org/438/Moving-Here
- Address and hours
Baytown branch: 701 W. Baker Rd, Baytown, TX 77521. OPEN Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; CLOSED Wednesdays (all Harris County Tax Office branches close Wednesdays).
source: hctax.net/default
- Walk in notes
Ownership changes, lien changes, non-titled registrations, and New Residents can walk in at any location without appointment 8–12 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Registration renewals also online or at grocery-store partners / AAA.
source: hctax.net/default
- Baytown grocery renewal partners
Harris County Tax Office renewal partner list includes Baytown locations such as: Kroger #150 6315 Garth Rd; Food Town #14 3517 N Main; Food Town #8 3002 W Baker Rd; H-E-B #742 6430 Garth Rd; Food Town #4 1700 Decker Dr; Kroger #974 1700 North Alexander.
source: hctax.net/Auto/RenewalLocations
- Chambers county tax office
Voter Registration
- Harris county
- Deadline
Must be registered at least 30 days before the election date to vote in a Harris County election. Name/address changes also require completed signed application.
source: hctax.net/voter/Registration
- How
Complete Texas Voter Registration Application and mail signed form to: Annette Ramirez, Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar, P.O. Box 3527, Houston, TX 77253-3527. Or submit in person at any Harris County Tax Office location Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (except Wednesdays). Also: download SOS/Harris forms; email [email protected] for mailed application; call 713-274-VOTE (8683); pick up at post office, library, high school, DPS, HHSC.
source: hctax.net/voter/Registration
- In person baytown
Harris County Tax Office Baytown branch (701 W. Baker Rd) can accept completed signed voter registration forms during Tax Office open hours (M/T/Th/F 8:00–4:30; closed Wed).
source: hctax.net/voter/Registration
- Chambers county
- How
If residence is in Chambers County: register at least 30 days before Election Day. Complete SOS online application or PDF; mail completed applications to Chambers County County Clerk's Office, PO Box 728, Anahuac, TX 77514. Contact the Voter Registrar. County offices hours posted: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–5:00 p.m. (404 Washington Avenue, Anahuac).
Library Card
- Sterling municipal library
Sterling Municipal Library, 1 Mary Wilbanks Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520; contact the library; [email protected]. Hours posted: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- How to get card
Free full-service card: apply in person with government-issued picture ID that includes date of birth; residency in Baytown not required. Under 18: parent/guardian must bring their ID and sign. First card free; cards expire every 3 years; replacement $1.00. New accounts: up to 12 items until established (3 months and first 15 items checked out/returned), then up to 25; renewals up to two times. Late fees: can check out unless fines exceed $10.
- Digital card
Digital-only card (eBooks/eAudiobooks/databases): age 18+, live in Baytown area, good for three years; apply online (not needed if you already have full-service card).
Pet Licensing
- Microchip required
- Code citation note
- Secondary compilations cite Code Ch. 14 Sec. 14-9; live Municode section text was not successfully retrieved this run — see couldNotSource for annual license fee.
City of Baytown: microchips are mandatory for each pet (dogs/cats) if you live in the city; pet parents can be fined if not in compliance. Animal Services can implant chips during open hours; registry used: 24Petwatch. Adopted pets through Baytown Animal Services are microchipped and registered. Keep registry contact info updated.
source: baytown.org/1390/Pet-Microchips
- Animal services contact
Baytown Animal Services: 705 N Robert C Lanier Dr., Baytown, TX 77521; contact Animal Services; [email protected]. Hours: Monday–Saturday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday closed. Outside city: Chambers County Animal Control/Police; Harris County Animal Control.
source: baytown.org/1160/Animal-Services
Garage Sale Permit Rules
- Permit
- Ordinance
- City of Baytown Ordinance No. 14,967
- Code chapter
- Chapter 82 Secondhand Goods, Article IV Garage Sales
Baytown repealed garage-sale permit requirements (Ord. No. 14,967, introduced/passed Dec. 9, 2021): repealed former Secs. 82-202 Permits, 82-203 Applications, and 82-205 Revocation/refusal of permit. No city permit required for a lawful residential garage sale under the amended Article IV.
source: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/10022/11227
- Frequency and duration
Sec. 82-202 General (as amended by Ord. 14,967): A garage sale shall be allowed at one location only once within a six-month period for a maximum of either (a) three consecutive calendar days, or (b) two calendar days within an eight-day period.
source: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/10022/11227
- Signs
Maximum of seven garage-sale signs. No sign may remain in a public place longer than four calendar days; signs may be erected one calendar day before the sale and must be removed on the last day of the sale. Signs in rights-of-way must also comply with Secs. 118-138 and 122-3 except display duration governed by this section.
source: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/10022/11227
- Penalty
Violation: misdemeanor; upon conviction fine not exceeding $500.00; each act/day a separate offense. Person convicted may not conduct a garage sale for one year after conviction (Sec. 82-207).
source: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/10022/11227
Noise And Parking Ordinances
- Noise
- General
- Code
- Secs. 34-360 et seq.
- Notes
- Text extracted from published Baytown noise ordinance PDF (Ord. passed Oct. 25, 2012 on that PDF).
Code Chapter 34 Environment, Article VII Noise: unlawful to create unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in the city's jurisdiction (city limits plus 5,000 feet outside). Sec. 34-362.
source: nonoise.org/regulation/ordinance/Baytown,%20Texas.pdf
- Residential limits
Prima facie residential receiving-property limits (Sec. 34-363): 65 dB(A) after 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; 50 dB(A) after 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Nonresidential: 70 dB(A) day / 65 dB(A) night. Peak 75 dB(A) at any time on any receiving property also cited.
source: nonoise.org/regulation/ordinance/Baytown,%20Texas.pdf
- Newcomer trip wires
Specific prohibitions include radios/musical instruments particularly between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that disturb ordinary residents (Sec. 34-365(2)). Construction/excavation exception generally 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. with sound not exceeding 85 dB(A) at residential receiving property line (Sec. 34-366(4)). Lawn/garden power tools exception 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. not exceeding 90 dB(A) at nearest residential property line (Sec. 34-366(6)). Penalty on ordinance: fine not exceeding $2,000.00 per offense/day.
source: nonoise.org/regulation/ordinance/Baytown,%20Texas.pdf
- Parking and nuisance vehicles
- Neighborhood protection
City Neighborhood Protection investigates property/nuisance issues including: Junk Vehicles; Front Yard Parking (Unimproved Surface); high grass/weeds above nine inches; rubbish/trash/debris; illegal open storage of personal property. Report via Better Baytown app or contact Neighborhood Protection (220 West Defee, Baytown, TX 77522).
- Street parking enforcement
Abandoned vehicles in the street, vehicles creating a traffic hazard, or illegally parked: report to the Baytown Police non-emergency line.
What we could not source
Left blank rather than guessed. Each line is a thing a resident would want that no official page answered.
- Internet / cable providers by neighborhood or GIS coverage map on official city/county pages — City Moving Here only names Comcast Xfinity for the Baytown Area; no official by-area provider matrix found on city site.
- Texas DPS Baytown Driver License office regular weekday hours — City and DPS pages confirm address/phone and appointment model; official posted Mon–Fri hour grid for 5420 Decker not retrieved this run.
- Traditional annual city pet license / tag fee and application process separate from microchip — Official city pages emphasize mandatory microchipping/registration; no official fee schedule for a separate annual dog/cat license found on baytown.org Animal Services pages this run.
- Live Municode text for Sec. 14-9 (microchip) and Secs. 34-91–34-98 (abandoned/junked vehicles) — Municode SPA blocked structured fetch; garage-sale Ord. 14,967 PDF and noise ordinance PDF were obtained. Secondary aggregator cites Sec. 14-9 and Sec. 34-93; not used as primary facts.
- Citywide overnight residential street-parking ban — No official city page stating a blanket overnight ban found; Neighborhood Protection lists front-yard unimproved-surface parking and junk vehicles instead.
- Exact fine amounts for microchip noncompliance — City states pet parents can be fined; dollar amount not posted on Pet Microchips page.
Facts read from the official pages linked on each item.