New To San Clemente? How To Set Up Utilities Fast

Moving week is busy enough without chasing account numbers and hold times. If you just landed in San Clemente, a little planning will get your lights on, water running, and Wi‑Fi humming without surprises. This guide walks you through who serves your address, what to prepare, expected timelines and fees, and the emergency numbers to save on day one. Let’s dive in.

First, confirm your providers by address

Service areas in San Clemente vary by neighborhood, especially in Talega. Take five minutes to check your exact address before you schedule anything.

• Electricity: Most of San Clemente uses Southern California Edison (SCE). Some pockets, including parts of Talega, are SDG&E. Use SCE’s Move Center to confirm and start service, and check SDG&E if SCE does not list your address. Start or transfer with SCE and review SDG&E.
• Natural gas: SoCalGas serves San Clemente. Start or transfer service.
• Water and sewer: Your provider is address specific. Many homes are billed by the City of San Clemente. Talega and nearby areas are often Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD). Some addresses fall under South Coast Water District (SCWD). Start with the City’s utility billing page, then verify if you are in SMWD’s service area or an SCWD zone. City utility billing | SMWD service area lookup.
• Trash, recycling, organics: The City franchises collection. Confirm the current hauler, cart sizes, pickup day, and bulky‑item rules on the City page. City trash and recycling.
• Internet and TV: Availability and speeds are address based. You will see different options by street, including fiber in select areas. Schedule early since installs book up fast. AT&T fiber installation timeline and scheduling.

Electricity: set up SCE or SDG&E

• What you need: government ID, SSN or tax ID, service address, start date, phone and email.
• How to start: create or transfer your account online or by phone. Use SCE’s Move Center. If your address is not in SCE territory, check SDG&E.
• Timing: most start or transfers complete in about 1 to 3 business days. Same‑day meter reads may be possible depending on workload.
• Fees and deposits: utilities may run a credit check. A deposit or establishment fee can apply based on credit.

Natural gas: start with SoCalGas

• How to start: submit a start or transfer request online. Begin with SoCalGas Moving.
• Timing and credit: new accounts can require a short credit review. If you do not hear back within the stated window, contact SoCalGas Credit per the instructions on their site.
• Safety: if you smell gas, evacuate, then call the SoCalGas emergency line. Gas leak and emergency steps.

Water and sewer: City, SMWD, or SCWD

• Identify your agency: start at the City’s utility billing page, then verify if your address is in SMWD or an SCWD area. City utility billing and SMWD service area lookup.
• Start service: agencies offer online start or transfer forms. Typical processing is 1 to 2 business days.
• Fees and deposits: expect a one‑time initiation or establishment fee on your first bill. Some districts may require a refundable deposit in certain cases.

Trash, recycling, and organics

• Confirm your hauler and pickup day on the City page. You can also request new carts, change cart sizes, and schedule bulky‑item collection. See current hauler and program rules.
• Tip: moving mid‑week or mid‑month, set reminders for your first pickup and roll carts out the night before.

Internet and TV: schedule early

• Run address lookups with your preferred providers and compare plan speeds, installation fees, and equipment costs.
• Installation windows vary. Cable or fiber installs can take 1 to 6 hours on site, and the first available appointment may be 1 to 14 days out. Review AT&T’s installation timing and book as early as possible.
• If you live in a gated community or HOA, confirm contractor access and any low‑voltage wiring rules before your appointment.

Landlord, tenant, and billing basics

• Who pays is usually set in your lease. Landlords must maintain essential services, but monthly payment responsibility depends on your agreement.
• If utilities remain in the landlord’s name, billing to tenants must reflect actual costs. Shared meters and submetering have disclosure and allocation rules in California. For an overview of typical responsibilities and disclosures, see this summary of state rules. California utility responsibilities overview.
• New accounts may involve a deposit or credit check. Ask about deposit waivers or refunds after consecutive on‑time payments.

Move‑in day checklist

• Take clear photos of your electric, gas, and water meters and note readings.
• Confirm trash cart delivery, pickup day, and bulky‑item scheduling.
• Save emergency and outage numbers to your phone, including the City utilities line, SCE outage line, and SoCalGas emergency line.
• Keep your ID, lease or closing statement, and account confirmation emails handy.
• Planning projects that involve digging or fencing, call 811 a few days before you dig.

Emergency numbers to save

• City of San Clemente utilities, water and sewer after‑hours: 949‑366‑1553. Find contacts on the City utility billing page.
• SCE outage reporting, downed lines: 1‑800‑611‑1911. Check outage status. Call 911 first for downed power lines.
• SoCalGas emergency, gas leak: 1‑800‑427‑2200. Emergency guidance. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Ready to make move‑in simple, from utilities to keys, timelines, and local vendors, reach out. For personalized relocation support and neighborhood guidance in coastal Orange County, connect with Kenzie Mckinnon.

FAQs

How far in advance should I set up utilities in San Clemente?

• Aim for 7 to 21 days before move‑in, since electric, gas, and water often activate within 1 to 5 business days, and internet installs can book 1 to 14 days out.

Which electric company serves my San Clemente address?

• Most addresses use SCE, while some in south Orange County, including parts of Talega, use SDG&E, so verify by address before you schedule.

Will water be shut off while my account changes names?

• Typically no, water usually stays on during account transfer or setup, though timing and procedures can vary by agency.

Do I need to be home to start gas, water, or internet service?

• You usually do not need to be home for electric or water account transfers, but gas safety checks and most internet installs require an adult on site.

What if utilities are included in my rent and there is a service issue?

• Contact your landlord or property manager first for billing or access issues, and call the utility emergency line right away for safety concerns like gas leaks or downed lines.