Utility Providers in Dallas, OR

No. While you can choose your electricity provider (Retail Electric Provider), other utilities are regulated monopolies.

• Water & Trash: Must be serviced by Dallas Water Utilities (City of Dallas).
• Natural Gas: Must be serviced by Atmos Energy (Mid-Tex Division).
• Electricity: You choose your provider (e.g., Reliant, TXU, Green Mountain), but Oncor delivers the power.

As of the October 1, 2024 (FY 2025) fee schedule, you should budget for:

1. Account Setup Fee: A non-refundable $15.00 activation fee will appear on your first bill.
2. Security Deposit: The standard deposit for a residential 5/8″ meter is $100.00. This deposit may be waived if you are over 65, a homeowner, or can provide a letter of credit from a previous utility.

This is a pass-through charge from Oncor, the company that owns the poles and wires. No matter which electric company you choose, you will pay this fee.

• Monthly Fixed Fee: Approximately $4.23 per month.
• Usage Fee: Approximately 4.5¢ to 5.3¢ per kWh depending on current tariff rates.
• Move-In Fee: Oncor typically charges a one-time Standard Move-In Fee of roughly $3.20 to energize a meter for a new resident.

First bills often include the $100.00 security deposit and the $15.00 setup fee. Additionally, if you move in during the summer, you haven’t established a “Winter Monthly Average” yet. This means your sewer charge (which is often higher than the water rate) is billed based on your actual consumption (capped at 40,000 gallons) rather than a lower winter average.

This is a mandatory $3.00 monthly fee added to all City of Dallas utility accounts (Residential and Commercial). It funds the “Clean Sweep!” initiative, which covers litter removal, homeless encampment cleanup, and illegal dumping abatement across the city.

Generally, no for single-family home rentals or purchases. The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) requirement usually applies to commercial businesses or multi-tenant apartment complexes (handled by the landlord). However, tenants should ensure their landlord has registered the property with the city’s “Single Family Rental Registration” program to avoid code compliance issues.

Trash service is automatically activated when you set up your water account.

• Standard Issue: You should have one gray cart (garbage) and one blue cart (recycling) at the home.
• Missing Carts: If the previous tenant took them, call 3-1-1 or use the Dallas 311 App to request a replacement.
• Cost: Replacement recycling carts are generally free; replacement garbage carts may incur a fee (~$67.90) if they were lost/damaged due to neglect.

While usage varies wildly by home age and insulation, a typical 2,000 sq. ft. home in Dallas budgets the following:

• Electricity: $150 – $350+. Summer bills (July-Sept) can easily double your winter bills due to air conditioning. The average rate is currently around 14¢-16¢ per kWh.

• Water/Sewer/Trash: $70 – $120. This is billed monthly by the City of Dallas.

• Natural Gas (Winter): $50 – $150. Gas heating is common; summer bills may drop to the $25 base charge.

• Internet: $50 – $90 for standard high-speed fiber or cable.

Do NOT call the company that sends you your bill (e.g., TXU, Reliant). They cannot help you.

• Call Oncor Electric Delivery at 888-313-4747.

• Oncor owns the lines and meters. They are the only ones who can restore power. You should also check the Oncor Storm Center for restoration estimates.

It is complicated. Google Fiber is not available citywide.

• Residential Fiber: Available in select pockets of North and Northeast Dallas.

• Webpass: Google’s “Webpass” (fixed wireless) is widely available in high-rise apartments and condos in Uptown/Downtown.

• Advice: Never assume a property has fiber. Use the FCC Broadband Map or the provider’s specific address checker before signing a lease.

Yes. Operating an alarm without a permit is a violation of City Code 15(c).

• The Risk: If police respond to a false alarm at your home and you do not have a permit, you can be fined immediately.

• The Cost: A residential permit is $50/year. You can apply online.