Living in Garland, Texas

Most of Garland is in Garland ISD, which has no school zoning: through its Choice of School program, families can apply to any Garland ISD school. Parts of the city fall in Richardson, Mesquite and Dallas ISDs, so check the district for the address first. Garland ISD's enrollment and school choice pages list the steps, and the district's Student Services office answers questions at 972-494-8201.

For tax year 2025 a Garland home in Dallas County and Garland ISD paid about 2.39% combined (city 0.689746, Garland ISD 1.1709, plus Dallas County, Parkland Hospital and Dallas College at 0.534075 per $100). The small Collin County portion ran about 2.09% and the Rockwall County portion about 2.11%. On a $290,000 home at 2.39% that is about $6,945 a year, or roughly $579 a month, before exemptions; the city's 11% homestead exemption and the state's $140,000 school exemption lower that for owner-occupants.

TxDOT marked the end of the $1.7 billion rebuild of 11 miles of I-635 from US 75 to I-30 through Dallas, Garland and Mesquite with a ribbon cutting in September 2026, adding wider lanes and continuous frontage roads.^[6]

The $25 million renovation of the 44-year-old downtown venue, approved in the 2025 Grow Garland bond, moved from design toward construction, which the city expects to begin early in 2027.^[7]

Voters approved a $360 million bond for streets, economic development, cultural arts and parks; other projects include a Surf and Swim renovation, new fire stations and new senior centers.^[8]

The Central Park tennis courts closed Oct. 26, 2026, for demolition and construction of new tennis and pickleball courts with upgraded lighting.^[9]

Garland Power & Light serves about 85% of Garland homes, and if you are in its area, electricity, water, sewer and sanitation can all be connected with one city utility application. Residents outside GP&L's area choose a retail provider on Power to Choose.^[10]

The City of Garland provides water, sewer and sanitation; start service through Utility Customer Service (972-205-2671, customerservice@garlandtx.gov). The Sanitation Department collects trash and bulky items weekly and recycling every other week.^[11]

Most Garland homes file free of charge with the Dallas Central Appraisal District through its online homestead application; homes in the small Collin County portion file with Collin CAD.^[12]

Enroll through Garland ISD's Choose Your School and Enroll a Student pages, where you also apply for your preferred campuses; call Student Services at 972-494-8201 with questions.^[13]

Register within 30 days after a passing emissions inspection. The Dallas County Tax Office Garland branch is at 140 N. Garland Avenue, Suite 101 (closed Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Your out-of-state license is valid for 90 days after you move, so book a DPS appointment early.^[14]