Moving to Southwest Louisiana
New to Lake Charles or anywhere in Calcasieu Parish? This guide covers what to set up after a move, with the office, phone number and documents for each step. Start with the checklist, or browse the topics below.
Find out if you live inside city limits
Plenty of addresses that say Lake Charles, including Moss Bluff, Carlyss and parts of the Prien Lake area, are outside the city. That decides who handles your water, trash, permits and police calls. Look up your address on either map.
Your first 30 days
0 of 7 done- License and tags →Swap your driver's licenseWithin 30 days
Trade your out-of-state license at an OMV office.
- Car tags →Register your vehiclesWithin 30 days of your new license
Register them and get a Louisiana inspection sticker.
- Utilities →Start water, power and gas
Water service comes from your city; power and gas from the companies that serve your address.
- Hurricanes and alerts →Sign up for emergency alertsThe week you arrive
Text CALCASHOUT to 78015 for the parish's Calcashout alerts.
- Voting →Register to vote
Online at GeauxVote.com, or with the parish registrar of voters.
- Schools →Enroll your children
Calcasieu public schools need a permit from the school board's attendance office first.
- Property tax →Apply for the homestead exemptionIf you bought a home
Apply with the parish assessor.
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