Do I Need a Permit to Drill a Well in San Diego County?
By SCWS Team | January 31, 2026 • 5 min read
📋 Yes, you absolutely need a permit to drill a well in San Diego County. No shortcuts, no exceptions. California requires permits for all new wells, and San Diego County has specific requirements through the Department of Environmental Health (DEH). The good news? We handle all this paperwork for you. But if you want to understand the process, here's everything you need to know.
Who Issues Well Permits in San Diego?
The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) handles all well permits in unincorporated San Diego County. If you're within city limits, you may need to go through your city's building department as well.
For most backcountry properties in areas like Ramona, Julian, Valley Center, Alpine, and Jamul, DEH is your one-stop shop.
What Does a Well Permit Cost?
As of 2026, San Diego County well permit fees are approximately:
- New well permit: $800 - $1,200
- Well destruction permit: $400 - $600
- Well modification permit: $400 - $800
Note: Fees change periodically. Check the DEH website for current rates.
Requirements for a Well Permit
To get a well drilling permit in San Diego County, you'll need:
-
Property ownership documentation
Deed or tax assessor records showing you own the property -
Site plan
A drawing showing the proposed well location relative to:- Property lines (minimum 10 ft setback)
- Septic systems (minimum 100 ft from leach field, 50 ft from septic tank)
- Buildings and structures
- Existing wells
-
Licensed well driller information
Your drilling contractor's C-57 license number (we handle this) -
Intended use
Domestic, agricultural, or other purpose
💡 Pro Tip: Start Permit Process Early
Submit your permit application 4-6 weeks before you want to drill. This ensures approval won't delay your project timeline.
Setback Requirements
San Diego County enforces strict setback distances to protect water quality:
| From | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Septic tank | 50 feet |
| Leach field / drain field | 100 feet |
| Property line | 10 feet |
| Sewer line | 50 feet |
| Animal enclosure | 100 feet |
On smaller lots, meeting setback requirements can be challenging. We help customers identify the best drilling location during our free site assessment.
How Long Does the Permit Process Take?
Typical timeline for San Diego County well permits:
- Application review: 2-4 weeks
- Permit issuance: 1-2 weeks after approval
- Total: 3-6 weeks from application to permit in hand
During busy periods or if your property has complications (near a creek, in a protected area, etc.), it can take longer. We recommend starting the permit process before scheduling drilling.
Do I Need a Permit for Well Repair?
Usually no. Routine maintenance and repairs—like replacing a pump, pressure tank, or electrical components—don't require permits.
However, you DO need a permit for:
- Deepening an existing well
- Modifying the well casing
- Destroying/abandoning a well
- Converting a well to a different use
What Happens After Drilling?
After drilling is complete:
- The driller files a Well Completion Report with the state
- DEH may inspect the well
- Water quality testing is required before use
- The permit is closed out
We handle all the paperwork and coordinate with DEH throughout the process.
Permits in Riverside County
We also serve Riverside County (Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Anza, Aguanga). Riverside County has similar requirements through their Environmental Health department. Fees and timelines are comparable to San Diego County.
We Handle the Permits
Don't want to deal with permit paperwork? We handle the entire process—from application to final inspection. Our well drilling service includes all permits and coordination with DEH. One call, we do it all.