Moving to Johnston?
Utilities, city services, schools, moving requirements and the practical stuff worth knowing when you're getting settled.
Your first-week checklist.
Handle the essentials first. The decorative throw pillows will somehow survive another day.
Local help for your move.
A growing network of businesses that can make the before, during, and after parts of moving a little easier.
Know someone good? We probably want to know them too.
As PackBetter gets to know businesses serving Johnston, we'll add local resources that can make moving a little easier, from organizing and cleaning to junk removal, real estate and moving help.
Local resources are independently owned businesses. PackBetter does not charge businesses to be featured.Utilities & Home Services
The City of Johnston provides water, sewer, stormwater, solid waste and recycling services. New residents complete a start-service application, and the current water deposit is $75 unless an accepted letter of credit or payment history from a previous utility is provided.
Start Water & City Services
Johnston bills water, sewer, stormwater, garbage and recycling together. If you're moving within Johnston, the account is address-specific, so stop service at the old address and start service at the new one.
START CITY UTILITIES →MidAmerican Energy
MidAmerican Energy provides electric and natural-gas service in Johnston. These services are separate from the City's utility bill.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY →Check Your Address
The research did not establish a publication-ready citywide internet-provider list. Verify broadband availability for your exact Johnston address before scheduling installation.
CITY RESOURCES →Trash, Recycling & Getting Rid of Stuff
The part of moving where you discover that apparently your household has been collecting extension cords since 2007.
Metro Waste Authority provides solid-waste collection for Johnston's single- and two-family homes. Garbage service is included on the monthly City utility bill; check the City's current collection schedule for your address.
GARBAGE & RECYCLING →Johnston publishes current cleanup and special-disposal guidance. Check the City's rules before setting out furniture, appliances or oversized move debris.
CHECK CURRENT OPTIONS →Metro Waste Authority provides regional hazardous-waste and special-disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, location and current requirements before making the trip.
METRO WASTE AUTHORITY →Acceptance rules vary by organization and item. Confirm the receiving location and what it accepts before loading the car with half your basement.
LOCAL RESOURCES →Address, License, Voting & Vehicles
A few forms stand between you and being administratively recognized as a person who has successfully moved.
New Iowa residents must title and register their motor vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. Johnston is in Polk County, so vehicle title and registration are handled through the Polk County Treasurer.
New Iowa Residents
Driver's license and ID requirements, documentation, testing and appointment information for people moving into Iowa.
NEW TO IOWA →Vehicle Title & Registration
Polk County handles vehicle title and registration for Johnston residents. Iowa driver-license business can be completed through Iowa DOT service locations subject to current requirements.
POLK COUNTY TREASURER →Change Your Address
Already have an Iowa driver's license or ID? Use Iowa DOT's address-change information after moving.
ADDRESS CHANGE INFO →Polk County Elections
Johnston residents use Polk County election resources. After moving, verify your voter registration and polling location using official county and Iowa Secretary of State tools.
Iowa's 2026 general election is Tuesday, November 3. Polk County publishes current election information, voter resources and polling-location tools for county residents.
POLK COUNTY ELECTION INFO →Schools & Families
School boundaries don't always respect city names nearly as much as humans would prefer, so check your address first.
Johnston Community School District
Johnston CSD serves the community. Verify current enrollment requirements and attendance boundaries with the district for your exact residence address before enrolling.
JOHNSTON SCHOOLS →Johnston Public Library
The library at 6700 Merle Hay Road is a useful first stop for local programs, community resources and getting oriented after the move.
JOHNSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY →Terra Park + Town Center
Terra Park, Johnston Town Center and more than 45 miles of trails give you several easy landmarks for learning the city once the moving boxes stop demanding tribute.
PARKS & RECREATION →Moving With Pets
Your dog or cat may also have local rules to comply with. Naturally, they have delegated all administrative duties to you.
Johnston requires dogs and cats over six months old to be licensed. The City currently uses BarkPass for pet licensing; confirm current documentation and fees before applying.
A little planning goes a long way.
The city paperwork matters. So does not discovering at 9:40 p.m. that your phone charger is buried in Tote 27.
Confirm parking, building access, stairs, elevators or HOA rules before the first load arrives.
Medications, chargers, toiletries, clothes, paperwork and anything you'll want before the rest is unpacked.
Totes handle what you can pack. Mattresses, furniture and awkward pieces need their own moving-day plan.
Totes handle what you can pack.
Move+ helps with what you can't.
Add extra moving equipment for the bigger, awkward parts of the move: mattress protection, lifting straps, extra blankets, furniture sliders, corner protection, stretch wrap, doorstops and organization pouches, plus the extra tote it all comes in.
Getting settled in Johnston.
A few reliable starting points for the assorted little questions that appear once you've actually moved in.
Explore another local guide.
Pack better.
Move easier.
PackBetter delivers complete moving kits throughout Johnston and the surrounding area, then picks everything back up when you're done. Check your ZIP using the delivery-area tool we've already built.