Well Drilling Permits California: Complete Requirements Guide

Planning to drill a water well in California? You'll need a well drilling permit before any work begins. California has some of the most comprehensive well regulations in the country, designed to protect groundwater quality and ensure safe construction. This guide explains everything you need to know about well drilling permits in California—requirements, costs, timeline, and how to navigate the process smoothly.

Do I Need a Permit to Drill a Well in California?

Yes, absolutely. California requires permits for:

• Drilling new water wells (domestic, irrigation, monitoring)
• Deepening existing wells
• Modifying well casings or screens
• Repairing or rehabilitating existing wells
• Destroying/abandoning wells (separate destruction permit)
• Installing well pumps (in some jurisdictions)

There are no exceptions for property size, well depth, or intended use. Even a small irrigation well on a large ranch requires a permit. Drilling without a permit is illegal and can result in:

• Fines of $1,000+ per day
• Required destruction of the unpermitted well
• Liability for any groundwater contamination
• Difficulty selling property with unpermitted wells

California Well Permit Requirements

Well permits in California are regulated at both state and county levels. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) sets minimum standards through California Well Standards (Bulletin 74-90), while county health departments enforce these standards and may add local requirements.

State Requirements (All Counties)

California-wide requirements include:

• Licensed contractor – Only C-57 licensed contractors may drill wells
• Minimum setbacks – Distance requirements from contamination sources
• Construction standards – Casing, sealing, and wellhead specifications
• Well completion report – Filed with DWR within 60 days of completion
• Destruction standards – Proper abandonment of unused wells

County-Specific Requirements

Each county adds its own requirements. For San Diego and Riverside Counties, the permitting authority is the Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

Well Permit Setback Requirements

Setback requirements ensure wells are located safely away from potential contamination sources. These are minimum distances—specific sites may require greater setbacks.

During our site assessment, we verify all setbacks and identify the optimal drilling location that meets all requirements and maximizes water production potential.

San Diego County Well Permits

San Diego County well permits are issued by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Land and Water Quality Division.

San Diego County Permit Process

1. Application Submission – Contractor submits permit application with site plan
2. Site Plan Review – DEH reviews for setback compliance and potential issues
3. Fee Payment – Permit fees paid upon approval
4. Permit Issuance – Permit valid for 1 year from issuance
5. Pre-Drilling Inspection – Inspector may verify site conditions
6. Drilling – Well drilled per approved specifications
7. Annular Seal Inspection – Inspector verifies grouting (may be waived)
8. Completion – Well completion report filed with DWR

San Diego County Permit Costs

San Diego County Contact

Riverside County Well Permits

Riverside County well permits are issued by the Department of Environmental Health.

Riverside County Permit Process

The process is similar to San Diego County:

1. Contractor submits application with site plan
2. DEH reviews for compliance
3. Fees paid and permit issued
4. Required inspections scheduled
5. Well drilled and completed
6. Completion report filed

Riverside County Permit Costs

Riverside County Contact

How Long Does Permit Approval Take?

Permit approval timelines vary by county and current workload:

Factors that may delay approval:

• Incomplete applications or missing documents
• Properties near contamination sites
• Special overlay zones (coastal, environmental, etc.)
• Setback variance requests
• High seasonal workload at DEH

What Information Is Required for a Well Permit?

Your contractor prepares all required documentation:

• Property address and APN (Assessor's Parcel Number)
• Property owner information and signature
• Contractor license information
• Site plan showing proposed well location, setbacks from all structures, septic systems, property lines, and other features
• Well specifications including estimated depth, casing diameter, and intended use
• Septic system location (from permit records or field verification)

The Complete Permit Timeline

Here's a realistic timeline from decision to water flowing:

Special Permit Situations

Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Requirements

Under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), some areas require additional permits or notifications to Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. This primarily affects:

• High-priority groundwater basins
• Agricultural wells with high extraction rates
• Wells requiring metering or monitoring

Most residential wells in San Diego County are not in critically managed basins, but we verify requirements for each project.

Environmental Review

Properties in certain areas may require additional environmental review:

• Coastal zones
• Near wetlands or vernal pools
• On tribal lands
• Near known contamination sites

Variance Requests

If your property can't meet standard setbacks, a variance may be possible. Variances require:

• Demonstration that meeting standards is impossible or impractical
• Additional protective measures (deeper casing, enhanced sealing)
• Longer review time (30+ days)
• Additional fees

Why We Handle Permits for You

At Southern California Well Service, permit handling is included with every drilling project. Here's why that matters:

• No paperwork hassle – We prepare and submit all documents
• Faster approvals – Established relationships with county staff
• Correct the first time – Experience prevents costly application errors
• Proper setback verification – We know what inspectors look for
• Inspection coordination – We schedule and meet with inspectors
• Complete compliance – All reports filed properly

Frequently Asked Questions