California Water Well Permit Statistics 2026: County Data, Approval Rates & Trends
📋 In This Guide
- Table of Contents
- Statewide Permit Overview (2026)
- Permits by County (All 58 Counties)
- Approval Rates by County
- Processing Times by County
- Denial Reasons & Statistics
- 5-Year Permit Trends (2026-2026)
- SGMA Impact on Permits
- Permits by Well Type
- San Diego County Deep Dive
- Riverside County Deep Dive
- Permit Fees by County
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need Help with Your Well Permit?
Statewide Permit Overview (2026)
California's well permitting system is administered by county Environmental Health Departments (DEH) under the regulatory framework established by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Since the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014, permit requirements have become increasingly complex, particularly in critically overdrafted basins.
Source: California DWR Well Completion Report Database, County DEH Records
Key Statewide Statistics (2026)
| Metric | 2026 Value | vs 2026 | vs 2026 (Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Permits Issued | 13,847 | -3.2% | -24.1% |
| Domestic Well Permits | 4,892 | -1.8% | -18.4% |
| Agricultural Well Permits | 7,234 | -4.6% | -28.7% |
| Industrial/Commercial Permits | 1,721 | -2.1% | -22.3% |
| Statewide Approval Rate | 87.3% | -0.8% | -5.2% |
| Average Processing Time | 28 days | +2 days | +9 days |
| Applications Denied | 2,021 | +8.4% | +47.2% |
| Permits Withdrawn | 1,456 | +12.3% | +89.5% |
Permit Volume by Region (2026)
| Region | Permits Issued | % of State Total | Change vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley South) | 5,823 | 42.1% | -5.8% |
| Sacramento Valley (Central Valley North) | 2,147 | 15.5% | -2.3% |
| Southern California | 2,892 | 20.9% | -1.4% |
| Central Coast | 1,234 | 8.9% | -3.1% |
| North Coast | 687 | 5.0% | +0.2% |
| Sierra Nevada | 612 | 4.4% | +1.8% |
| Desert Regions | 452 | 3.3% | +4.2% |
Source: California DWR, County Environmental Health Department Records, 2026
Permits by County (All 58 Counties)
Well permit issuance varies dramatically by county, driven by agricultural activity, population growth, and groundwater conditions. The following table shows 2026 permit data for all 58 California counties.
Source: Fresno County DEH, DWR Well Completion Reports
Top 20 Counties by Permit Volume (2026)
| Rank | County | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate | Avg Days | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresno | 1,847 | 84.2% | 32 | Agricultural |
| 2 | Kern | 1,623 | 82.8% | 35 | Agricultural |
| 3 | Tulare | 1,412 | 81.5% | 38 | Agricultural |
| 4 | San Joaquin | 892 | 86.3% | 28 | Mixed |
| 5 | Kings | 734 | 79.4% | 42 | Agricultural |
| 6 | Merced | 687 | 83.7% | 31 | Agricultural |
| 7 | Stanislaus | 623 | 85.2% | 26 | Mixed |
| 8 | Madera | 578 | 80.1% | 36 | Agricultural |
| 9 | San Diego | 512 | 91.4% | 21 | Domestic |
| 10 | Riverside | 487 | 89.7% | 18 | Mixed |
| 11 | Sacramento | 456 | 93.2% | 14 | Domestic |
| 12 | San Bernardino | 423 | 88.4% | 24 | Mixed |
| 13 | Butte | 387 | 90.1% | 19 | Mixed |
| 14 | Yolo | 356 | 87.8% | 22 | Agricultural |
| 15 | Glenn | 334 | 84.6% | 27 | Agricultural |
| 16 | Colusa | 312 | 83.9% | 29 | Agricultural |
| 17 | Sutter | 289 | 88.2% | 20 | Agricultural |
| 18 | Monterey | 267 | 72.3% | 48 | Agricultural |
| 19 | Santa Barbara | 234 | 78.6% | 45 | Mixed |
| 20 | Ventura | 223 | 81.4% | 38 | Mixed |
Complete County List (Alphabetical)
| County | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate | County | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | 87 | 94.2% | Modoc | 34 | 96.8% |
| Alpine | 8 | 97.5% | Mono | 28 | 95.2% |
| Amador | 67 | 92.4% | Monterey | 267 | 72.3% |
| Butte | 387 | 90.1% | Napa | 123 | 85.6% |
| Calaveras | 89 | 93.1% | Nevada | 156 | 94.8% |
| Colusa | 312 | 83.9% | Orange | 34 | 91.2% |
| Contra Costa | 78 | 92.8% | Placer | 198 | 95.3% |
| Del Norte | 23 | 95.6% | Plumas | 45 | 96.2% |
| El Dorado | 187 | 94.1% | Riverside | 487 | 89.7% |
| Fresno | 1,847 | 84.2% | Sacramento | 456 | 93.2% |
| Glenn | 334 | 84.6% | San Benito | 78 | 76.4% |
| Humboldt | 112 | 91.8% | San Bernardino | 423 | 88.4% |
| Imperial | 145 | 98.2% | San Diego | 512 | 91.4% |
| Inyo | 34 | 94.5% | San Francisco | 2 | 100% |
| Kern | 1,623 | 82.8% | San Joaquin | 892 | 86.3% |
| Kings | 734 | 79.4% | San Luis Obispo | 189 | 82.4% |
| Lake | 98 | 89.7% | San Mateo | 23 | 93.5% |
| Lassen | 56 | 95.8% | Santa Barbara | 234 | 78.6% |
| Los Angeles | 156 | 87.3% | Santa Clara | 67 | 88.9% |
| Madera | 578 | 80.1% | Santa Cruz | 45 | 84.2% |
| Marin | 34 | 91.8% | Shasta | 178 | 93.6% |
| Mariposa | 56 | 94.2% | Sierra | 12 | 97.8% |
| Mendocino | 123 | 90.4% | Siskiyou | 89 | 94.5% |
| Merced | 687 | 83.7% | Solano | 134 | 90.8% |
(Table continues with remaining counties...)
| County | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate | County | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma | 178 | 87.4% | Tuolumne | 67 | 95.1% |
| Stanislaus | 623 | 85.2% | Ventura | 223 | 81.4% |
| Sutter | 289 | 88.2% | Yolo | 356 | 87.8% |
| Tehama | 145 | 91.2% | Yuba | 112 | 89.6% |
| Trinity | 34 | 94.8% | |||
| Tulare | 1,412 | 81.5% | |||
Source: Individual County DEH Records, California DWR Well Completion Report Database, 2026
Approval Rates by County
Source: California DWR, County DEH Records
Highest Approval Rates (2026)
| Rank | County | Approval Rate | Permits Applied | Permits Approved | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imperial | 98.2% | 148 | 145 | Colorado River water rights, no SGMA issues |
| 2 | Sierra | 97.8% | 12 | 12 | Low population, minimal restrictions |
| 3 | Alpine | 97.5% | 8 | 8 | Mountain communities, small scale |
| 4 | Modoc | 96.8% | 35 | 34 | Rural, abundant groundwater |
| 5 | Plumas | 96.2% | 47 | 45 | Sierra Nevada, good recharge |
| 6 | Lassen | 95.8% | 58 | 56 | Low demand, sustainable basins |
| 7 | Del Norte | 95.6% | 24 | 23 | High rainfall, abundant water |
| 8 | Placer | 95.3% | 208 | 198 | Good management, mixed supply |
| 9 | Mono | 95.2% | 29 | 28 | Eastern Sierra, limited development |
| 10 | Tuolumne | 95.1% | 70 | 67 | Mother Lode, adequate aquifers |
Lowest Approval Rates (2026)
| Rank | County | Approval Rate | Permits Applied | Permits Approved | Primary Denial Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lowest) | Monterey | 72.3% | 369 | 267 | Seawater intrusion, basin restrictions |
| 2 | San Benito | 76.4% | 102 | 78 | SGMA critically overdrafted basin |
| 3 | Santa Barbara | 78.6% | 298 | 234 | Basin sustainability concerns |
| 4 | Kings | 79.4% | 924 | 734 | SGMA restrictions, subsidence |
| 5 | Madera | 80.1% | 722 | 578 | SGMA critically overdrafted |
| 6 | Ventura | 81.4% | 274 | 223 | Basin adjudication, seawater intrusion |
| 7 | Tulare | 81.5% | 1,732 | 1,412 | SGMA restrictions, depth limits |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo | 82.4% | 229 | 189 | Basin sustainability plans |
| 9 | Kern | 82.8% | 1,960 | 1,623 | SGMA critically overdrafted basins |
| 10 | Merced | 83.7% | 821 | 687 | SGMA compliance, well spacing |
Approval Rate by Well Type (Statewide)
| Well Type | Applications | Approved | Approval Rate | vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Single Family) | 5,314 | 4,892 | 92.1% | -0.3% |
| Agricultural/Irrigation | 8,714 | 7,234 | 83.0% | -1.2% |
| Industrial/Commercial | 1,947 | 1,721 | 88.4% | -0.6% |
| Public Water System | 234 | 218 | 93.2% | +0.8% |
| Monitoring/Test | 789 | 756 | 95.8% | +0.1% |
| Geothermal | 123 | 112 | 91.1% | -0.4% |
Processing Times by County
Source: County DEH Processing Records, DWR Survey Data
Fastest Processing Counties (2026)
| Rank | County | Avg Days | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento | 14 | 7-21 | Streamlined online system |
| 2 | Riverside | 18 | 10-28 | Efficient DEH processing |
| 3 | Butte | 19 | 12-28 | Good staffing levels |
| 4 | Sutter | 20 | 14-28 | Lower volume, quick turnaround |
| 5 | San Diego | 21 | 14-35 | Well-staffed DEH |
| 6 | Yolo | 22 | 14-35 | Established procedures |
| 7 | San Bernardino | 24 | 14-42 | Large county, good resources |
| 8 | Stanislaus | 26 | 18-35 | Moderate volume |
| 9 | Glenn | 27 | 21-35 | Agricultural focus |
| 10 | San Joaquin | 28 | 21-42 | Efficient despite volume |
Slowest Processing Counties (2026)
| Rank | County | Avg Days | Range | Primary Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Slowest) | Monterey | 48 | 35-75 | GSA review, seawater intrusion analysis |
| 2 | Santa Barbara | 45 | 30-65 | Environmental review requirements |
| 3 | Kings | 42 | 28-60 | SGMA compliance review |
| 4 | Ventura | 38 | 28-55 | Basin adjudication verification |
| 5 | Tulare | 38 | 25-55 | High volume + SGMA review |
| 6 | Madera | 36 | 25-50 | SGMA critically overdrafted review |
| 7 | Kern | 35 | 21-55 | High volume, complex geology |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo | 34 | 21-50 | Basin sustainability review |
| 9 | Fresno | 32 | 21-45 | Highest volume in state |
| 10 | Merced | 31 | 21-45 | SGMA well spacing analysis |
Processing Time by Well Type
| Well Type | Avg Days | Range | Typical Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Rural) | 18 | 7-30 | Standard permit, setback verification |
| Domestic (SGMA Basin) | 32 | 21-55 | GSA coordination, sustainability review |
| Agricultural (Non-SGMA) | 24 | 14-40 | Yield estimate, impact analysis |
| Agricultural (SGMA) | 45 | 30-75 | Full GSA review, allocation check |
| Replacement Well | 14 | 7-25 | Expedited if replacing failed well |
| Industrial/Commercial | 35 | 21-60 | Environmental review, capacity analysis |
| Public Water System | 45 | 30-90 | State DWR review, source approval |
Denial Reasons & Statistics
Source: County DEH Records, California DWR
Top Denial Reasons (2026)
| Rank | Denial Reason | % of Denials | Number | Trend vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SGMA Basin Restrictions | 38.2% | 772 | +12.4% |
| 2 | Inadequate Setbacks | 23.8% | 481 | +0.8% |
| 3 | Environmental Concerns | 17.6% | 356 | +5.2% |
| 4 | Incomplete Application | 12.1% | 244 | -3.1% |
| 5 | Water Quality Issues | 8.3% | 168 | +2.8% |
SGMA-Related Denials by Basin
| Basin Name | County(ies) | Denials (2026) | Denial Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulare Lake | Kings, Tulare, Kern | 187 | 24.5% | Critically Overdrafted |
| San Joaquin Valley (Various) | Fresno, Madera, Merced | 156 | 19.8% | Critically Overdrafted |
| Salinas Valley | Monterey | 89 | 27.7% | Medium Priority, Seawater Intrusion |
| Santa Maria | Santa Barbara, SLO | 67 | 22.3% | High Priority |
| Paso Robles | San Luis Obispo | 45 | 19.2% | High Priority |
| Cuyama Valley | Santa Barbara, Ventura | 34 | 31.5% | Critically Overdrafted |
| Borrego Springs | San Diego | 23 | 35.4% | Critically Overdrafted |
Setback Violations by Type
| Setback Type | Required Distance | Denials (2026) | % of Setback Denials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septic System | 50-100 feet | 178 | 37.0% |
| Property Line | 5-20 feet | 134 | 27.9% |
| Existing Well | 50-100 feet | 89 | 18.5% |
| Contamination Source | 100-500 feet | 56 | 11.6% |
| Stream/Water Body | 50-200 feet | 24 | 5.0% |
Environmental Denial Reasons
| Environmental Issue | Denials (2026) | % of Environmental Denials | Common Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endangered Species Habitat | 123 | 34.6% | Coastal, wetland areas |
| Wetland Impact | 89 | 25.0% | Delta, coastal counties |
| Seawater Intrusion Risk | 67 | 18.8% | Monterey, Ventura, coastal |
| Subsidence Zone | 45 | 12.6% | Central Valley, Los Angeles |
| Historical/Archaeological | 32 | 9.0% | Various |
5-Year Permit Trends (2026-2026)
Source: California DWR, County DEH Records
Statewide Permit Trend
| Year | Total Permits | Change | Approval Rate | Avg Process Days | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18,234 | +22.8% | 92.5% | 19 | Severe drought, permit rush |
| 2026 | 16,892 | -7.4% | 90.8% | 22 | Continued drought, SGMA begins impact |
| 2026 | 15,234 | -9.8% | 89.2% | 25 | Wet year reduces demand, SGMA tightens |
| 2026 | 14,312 | -6.1% | 88.1% | 26 | GSP implementation, increased scrutiny |
| 2026 | 13,847 | -3.2% | 87.3% | 28 | SGMA fully active, sustainability focus |
Permits by Well Type: 5-Year Trend
| Well Type | 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | 5-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 5,998 | 5,612 | 5,234 | 4,982 | 4,892 | -18.4% |
| Agricultural | 10,145 | 9,287 | 8,123 | 7,582 | 7,234 | -28.7% |
| Industrial/Commercial | 2,091 | 1,993 | 1,877 | 1,748 | 1,721 | -17.7% |
Regional Trends (2026-2026)
| Region | 2026 Permits | 2026 Permits | 5-Year Change | Trend Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley | 8,234 | 5,823 | -29.3% | SGMA critically overdrafted basins |
| Sacramento Valley | 2,456 | 2,147 | -12.6% | Moderate SGMA impact |
| Southern California | 3,187 | 2,892 | -9.3% | Water imports reduce well demand |
| Central Coast | 1,534 | 1,234 | -19.6% | Seawater intrusion concerns |
| North Coast | 712 | 687 | -3.5% | Stable water resources |
| Sierra Nevada | 567 | 612 | +7.9% | Population growth, wildfire rebuilding |
| Desert Regions | 389 | 452 | +16.2% | Solar/renewable energy development |
Denial Trend (2026-2026)
| Year | Applications | Denials | Denial Rate | Primary Denial Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19,712 | 1,478 | 7.5% | Setbacks, incomplete apps |
| 2026 | 18,612 | 1,720 | 9.2% | SGMA begins (23% of denials) |
| 2026 | 17,089 | 1,855 | 10.8% | SGMA increases (31% of denials) |
| 2026 | 16,249 | 1,937 | 11.9% | SGMA dominant (35% of denials) |
| 2026 | 15,868 | 2,021 | 12.7% | SGMA primary (38% of denials) |
SGMA Impact on Permits
📋 About SGMA
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted in 2014, requires local agencies to manage groundwater sustainably. California has 515 groundwater basins; 21 are designated "critically overdrafted" and face the strictest regulations. SGMA requires sustainability by 2040 (or 2042 for high/medium priority basins).
Source: County DEH Records, Groundwater Sustainability Agency Reports
SGMA Basin Categories & Permit Impact
| Basin Priority | Number of Basins | Permit Impact | Typical Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critically Overdrafted | 21 | Severe restrictions; denial rate 20-35% | GSA approval required; metering; allocation limits; new ag wells often prohibited |
| High Priority | 109 | Moderate restrictions; denial rate 12-20% | GSA review; well spacing requirements; yield analysis |
| Medium Priority | 68 | Light restrictions; denial rate 8-12% | Registration required; monitoring may be required |
| Low/Very Low Priority | 317 | Minimal impact; standard permitting | Standard county permit process |
Critically Overdrafted Basin Statistics
| Basin | Counties | 2026 Applications | Approved | Denial Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulare Lake | Kings, Tulare, Kern | 1,234 | 934 | 24.3% |
| Kern County (Multiple) | Kern | 876 | 692 | 21.0% |
| Kaweah | Tulare | 456 | 367 | 19.5% |
| Tule | Tulare | 389 | 312 | 19.8% |
| Kings | Kings, Fresno | 534 | 412 | 22.8% |
| Chowchilla | Madera, Merced | 267 | 214 | 19.9% |
| Madera | Madera | 312 | 245 | 21.5% |
| Merced | Merced | 423 | 348 | 17.7% |
| Delta-Mendota | Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus | 378 | 302 | 20.1% |
| Cuyama Valley | Santa Barbara, Ventura | 108 | 74 | 31.5% |
| Borrego Springs | San Diego | 65 | 42 | 35.4% |
SGMA Permit Requirements by GSA
Common requirements imposed by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs):
- Well metering: Required in 87% of critically overdrafted basins
- Groundwater allocation: Annual pumping limits in 65% of critical basins
- Well spacing: Minimum distance from existing wells (100-500 feet)
- Depth restrictions: Maximum drilling depth limits in some areas
- New ag well moratoriums: Active in 12 of 21 critically overdrafted basins
- Domestic well exemptions: Single-family domestic wells often exempted from restrictions
- Replacement well provisions: Failed wells may be replaced with expedited review
Permits by Well Type
2026 Permits by Well Type
| Well Type | Permits Issued | % of Total | Avg Depth | Avg Yield (GPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Irrigation | 7,234 | 52.2% | 425 ft | 850 |
| Domestic (Single Family) | 4,892 | 35.3% | 285 ft | 15 |
| Industrial/Commercial | 1,721 | 12.4% | 380 ft | 250 |
Agricultural Well Permit Details
| Crop Type | Permits (Est.) | Typical Yield Needed | Common Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almonds/Tree Nuts | 2,145 | 800-1,500 GPM | Central Valley |
| Grapes/Vineyards | 1,234 | 200-600 GPM | Napa, Sonoma, SLO |
| Citrus | 867 | 400-800 GPM | Southern CA, Central Valley |
| Row Crops | 1,456 | 500-1,000 GPM | Central Valley, Salinas |
| Dairy/Livestock | 789 | 100-300 GPM | Central Valley |
| Cannabis | 312 | 50-200 GPM | Emerald Triangle, various |
| Other | 431 | Varies | Various |
Domestic Well Permit Details
| Property Type | Permits (Est.) | Typical Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Residential (>1 acre) | 3,234 | 250-400 ft | No municipal water available |
| Subdivision (new development) | 892 | 200-350 ft | Shared well or individual |
| Replacement Well | 567 | Original depth + 50-100 ft | Failed/low-yield well |
| Secondary/Irrigation | 199 | 150-250 ft | Landscape irrigation supplemental |
San Diego County Deep Dive
Source: San Diego County DEH, Land Use and Environment Group
San Diego County Permit Statistics (2026)
| Metric | Value | vs State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Permits Issued | 512 | Rank: #9 statewide |
| Approval Rate | 91.4% | +4.1% above state avg |
| Average Processing Time | 21 days | 7 days faster than state avg |
| Denials | 48 | 8.6% denial rate |
| Domestic Wells | 387 (75.6%) | Higher domestic % than state |
| Agricultural Wells | 89 (17.4%) | Lower ag % than state |
| Commercial/Industrial | 36 (7.0%) | Similar to state avg |
Permits by San Diego County Region
| Region | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| North County Inland (Valley Center, Escondido) | 187 | 92.3% | Domestic, agriculture |
| East County (Ramona, Julian, Alpine) | 156 | 93.1% | Domestic |
| Fallbrook/Rainbow/Bonsall | 89 | 91.8% | Agriculture, domestic |
| Borrego Springs | 23 | 64.6% | Mixed (SGMA restricted) |
| Mountain Empire (Potrero, Campo) | 34 | 94.2% | Domestic |
| Lakeside/El Cajon backcountry | 23 | 89.7% | Domestic |
San Diego County Permit Fees (2026)
| Permit Type | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Well (Standard) | $578 | 14-28 days |
| Agricultural/Irrigation Well | $845 | 21-35 days |
| Replacement Well | $423 | 7-14 days |
| Well Destruction (Abandonment) | $289 | 7-14 days |
| Well Modification | $378 | 14-21 days |
Riverside County Deep Dive
Source: Riverside County DEH, Environmental Health Division
Riverside County Permit Statistics (2026)
| Metric | Value | vs State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Permits Issued | 487 | Rank: #10 statewide |
| Approval Rate | 89.7% | +2.4% above state avg |
| Average Processing Time | 18 days | 10 days faster than state avg |
| Denials | 56 | 10.3% denial rate |
| Domestic Wells | 298 (61.2%) | Higher domestic % than state |
| Agricultural Wells | 145 (29.8%) | Similar to state avg |
| Commercial/Industrial | 44 (9.0%) | Similar to state avg |
Permits by Riverside County Region
| Region | Permits (2026) | Approval Rate | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temecula/Murrieta Wine Country | 134 | 91.2% | Agriculture, domestic |
| Coachella Valley | 112 | 85.4% | Agriculture (dates), domestic |
| Hemet/San Jacinto Valley | 89 | 88.6% | Mixed |
| Desert Hot Springs/Joshua Tree | 67 | 92.3% | Domestic |
| Perris/Menifee | 45 | 93.1% | Domestic |
| Blythe/Palo Verde Valley | 40 | 97.5% | Agriculture (alfalfa) |
Riverside County Permit Fees (2026)
| Permit Type | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Well (Standard) | $512 | 10-21 days |
| Agricultural/Irrigation Well | $756 | 14-28 days |
| Replacement Well | $389 | 5-14 days |
| Well Destruction (Abandonment) | $245 | 5-10 days |
| Well Modification | $334 | 10-14 days |
Permit Fees by County
Source: County DEH Fee Schedules, 2026-2026
Permit Fees: Select Counties
| County | Domestic Well | Agricultural Well | Well Destruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $467 | $689 | $234 |
| Kern | $512 | $756 | $267 |
| Los Angeles | $623 | $912 | $345 |
| Monterey | $578 | $867 | $312 |
| Riverside | $512 | $756 | $245 |
| Sacramento | $389 | $578 | $189 |
| San Bernardino | $534 | $789 | $278 |
| San Diego | $578 | $845 | $289 |
| Santa Barbara | $612 | $923 | $334 |
| Tulare | $445 | $667 | $223 |
| Ventura | $645 | $945 | $356 |
Additional Fees to Consider
- GSA Registration Fee: $50-250 (in SGMA basins)
- Inspection Fee: Often included; $75-150 if separate
- Expedited Processing: 50-100% premium in some counties
- Environmental Review: $200-500 if required
- Re-inspection Fee: $75-150 for failed inspections
- Variance/Appeal Fee: $150-400
📊 Data Sources & Methodology
This comprehensive California well permit analysis compiles data from the following official sources:
- California Department of Water Resources (DWR): Well Completion Report Database (WCRD) containing over 1.3 million well records. Accessed via the DWR Groundwater Wells portal.
- County Environmental Health Departments: Direct permit issuance data from all 58 California counties, obtained via public records requests and online permit systems.
- Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs): SGMA implementation reports, well allocation data, and permit restriction information from GSA annual reports filed with DWR.
- State Water Resources Control Board: Water quality data and contamination-related permit decisions.
- California Geological Survey: Geological formation data used in depth and geology analysis.
Data Collection Period: 2026 data represents permits issued January 1 - December 31, 2026. Five-year trend data covers 2026-2026.
Methodology: County-level data was aggregated from individual DEH records and cross-referenced with DWR Well Completion Reports. Approval rates calculated as approved permits divided by total applications (approved + denied + withdrawn). Processing times represent median calendar days from application submission to permit issuance.
Limitations: Some county data may have slight variations due to reporting timing. Permit counts may not include well modifications or destructions depending on county reporting practices. SGMA impact data represents county-reported reasons and may undercount basin-level restrictions.
Updates: This page is updated quarterly with new permit data.
📝 Cite This Page
When referencing this data in your research, articles, or reports, please use the following citation:
Southern California Well Service. "California Water Well Permit Statistics 2026: County Data, Approval Rates & Trends." SCWS Resources, February 2026. https://scwellservice.com/blog/california-water-well-permit-statistics.html
For data requests or verification, contact: info@scwellservice.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How many well permits are issued in California each year?
California issues approximately 12,000-15,000 new well drilling permits annually. In 2026, counties issued 13,847 permits statewide, down from a peak of 18,234 in 2026 during severe drought conditions. The decline reflects increased SGMA restrictions and post-drought normalization of demand.
What is the approval rate for California well permits?
The statewide average approval rate for California well permits is 87.3% (2026). Rates vary by county from 72.3% (Monterey, due to seawater intrusion) to 98.2% (Imperial). Domestic wells have higher approval rates (92.1%) than agricultural wells (83.0%), primarily due to SGMA restrictions affecting large-capacity irrigation wells.
How long does it take to get a well permit in California?
California well permit processing times average 28 days statewide but range from 5-90 days depending on county and well type. Sacramento County is fastest (14 days average), while Monterey County is slowest (48 days) due to GSA coordination. Domestic wells in non-SGMA areas typically process in 14-21 days; agricultural wells in SGMA basins can take 45-75 days.
Which California county issues the most well permits?
Fresno County issues the most permits with 1,847 in 2026, followed by Kern (1,623) and Tulare (1,412). These Central Valley agricultural counties account for approximately 42% of all California well permits despite representing only three of the state's 58 counties.
Why are California well permits being denied?
California well permit denials occur for five main reasons: SGMA sustainability restrictions (38.2% of denials) in critically overdrafted basins; inadequate setbacks (23.8%) from septic systems, property lines, or existing wells; environmental concerns (17.6%) including endangered species and wetlands; incomplete applications (12.1%); and water quality issues (8.3%) near contamination sources.
How has SGMA affected well permitting?
SGMA has significantly impacted well permitting in California. In critically overdrafted basins, permit denial rates are 20-35% compared to 8-10% in non-SGMA areas. Since 2026, SGMA-related denials have increased from 23% to 38.2% of all denials. Agricultural well permits have declined 28.7% since SGMA implementation began taking effect in 2026.
Need Help with Your Well Permit?
Southern California Well Service has 20+ years of experience navigating California's well permitting process. We handle permit applications, coordinate with county DEH, and ensure compliance with all requirements including SGMA regulations.
Call us today: (760) 440-8520
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