Does SGMA affect domestic well permits?

Yes, in SGMA-regulated basins. While SGMA primarily targets large agricultural and municipal pumpers, domestic wells may face: GSA review before county permit approval, fees for GSA services, well registration requirements, and in some basins, restrictions on new domestic wells. The impact varies significantly by basin and GSA—some exempt small domestic wells while others regulate all wells.

What is a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)?

GSAs are local agencies responsible for implementing SGMA within designated groundwater basins. They develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), may regulate groundwater extraction, can charge fees for groundwater management, and may impose restrictions on new wells. Your county or water district likely participates in the GSA for your basin.

SGMA Groundwater Regulations Explained: What Well Owners Need to Know

Q: What is SGMA and how does it affect well owners?

SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) is California law requiring sustainable management of groundwater basins. It created Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) responsible for developing management plans. For well owners, SGMA may mean: additional permit requirements for new wells, possible well registration requirements, potential extraction limits or fees, metering requirements in some basins, and restrictions on new wells in critically overdrafted basins.

Q: Is my property in an SGMA-regulated basin?

Use the California Department of Water Resources SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard to check if your property is in a regulated basin. Medium and high priority basins are subject to SGMA. Critically overdrafted basins have the strictest requirements. San Diego County has portions subject to SGMA; Riverside County has several regulated basins including parts of the Coachella Valley.

Q: Can SGMA prevent me from drilling a new well?

In some cases, yes. GSAs have authority to restrict new wells in critically overdrafted basins or areas where new pumping would prevent sustainability goals. Some GSAs have imposed moratoriums on new wells. Others require demonstration that new extraction won't harm the basin. Domestic de minimis users (under 2 acre-feet per year) may have exemptions in some basins, but this varies.

California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is transforming how groundwater is used and regulated statewide. For well owners, this means new requirements, potential restrictions, and evolving rules that affect everything from new well permits to existing water use.

SGMA Basics

Passed in 2014, SGMA requires sustainable management of California's groundwater basins. Key elements:

Basin prioritization: State designated basins as high, medium, low, or very low priority
GSA formation: Local agencies formed Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
GSP development: GSAs created Groundwater Sustainability Plans
Implementation: Plans being implemented now through 2042

How SGMA Affects Well Owners

Potential SGMA Impacts

New well permits: May require GSA approval in addition to county permit
Well registration: Some GSAs require registering existing wells
Metering: Some basins require production monitoring
Extraction limits: Allocations may be imposed in stressed basins
Fees: GSAs can charge groundwater fees
Restrictions: Some areas limit or prohibit new wells

De Minimis Exemptions

SGMA recognizes "de minimis extractors"—users pumping less than 2 acre-feet per year (roughly 650,000 gallons). Many domestic well owners fall into this category. However:

De minimis status provides some protection from fees and metering
It doesn't guarantee right to drill new wells
GSAs still may regulate all wells in critically overdrafted basins
Status could change if extraction increases

Basin Prioritization

Priority Level	SGMA Requirements	Timeline
Critically Overdrafted	Full SGMA compliance; strictest rules	GSP due 2020
High Priority	Full SGMA compliance	GSP due 2022
Medium Priority	Full SGMA compliance	GSP due 2022
Low/Very Low	Not subject to SGMA	N/A

Checking Your Basin Status

To determine if SGMA affects your property:

Visit the DWR SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard
Enter your address or APN
Identify your groundwater basin and priority level
Find your GSA's contact information
Review the applicable Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SGMA and how does it affect well owners?

SGMA requires sustainable groundwater management. It may mean additional permits, registration, fees, and potential extraction limits depending on your basin.

Can SGMA prevent me from drilling a new well?

In some critically overdrafted basins, yes. GSAs can restrict new wells to meet sustainability goals. Some have imposed moratoriums.

Is my property in an SGMA-regulated basin?

Check the DWR SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard or contact your county. Many areas in San Diego and Riverside counties are affected.

Navigating SGMA Requirements?

We stay current on groundwater regulations and can help you understand how SGMA affects your well project.

Call (760) 463-0493

Related Guides

California Permit Process

General permit requirements.

California Water Rights

Understanding groundwater rights.

SGMA Groundwater Regulations