Drilling a well in San Diego County requires a permit from the Department of Environmental Health (DEH). The permitting process ensures wells are properly constructed to protect both your water supply and the regional groundwater. Here's everything you need to know.

We Handle Permits

As part of our drilling service, we prepare and submit all permit applications, coordinate inspections, and handle the paperwork.

📞 Call (760) 440-8520

Get Started

Permit Overview

Who Issues Well Permits?

San Diego County Department of Environmental Health (DEH)
Land and Water Quality Division
5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 565-5200

When Is a Permit Required?

  • New well drilling: Always requires a permit
  • Well deepening: Requires a permit
  • Well destruction/abandonment: Requires a permit
  • Pump replacement: No permit required (routine maintenance)
  • Well repair: Usually no permit unless modifying the well structure

Permit Fees (2026)

Permit Type Fee Range
Domestic well (new) $800-$1,200
Agricultural well $800-$1,500
Commercial/industrial well $1,000-$2,000
Well destruction $400-$700
Well deepening $600-$1,000

Fees subject to change. Additional fees may apply for complex sites or special review areas.

Application Requirements

Basic Documentation

  1. Completed application form — Available from DEH or your contractor
  2. Site plan/plot map showing:
    • Property boundaries
    • Proposed well location
    • Existing structures
    • Septic system location
    • Distance measurements
  3. Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
  4. Property owner authorization (if applicant is not owner)
  5. Well contractor information (must be C-57 licensed)

Additional Requirements (Some Properties)

  • CEQA review: For larger projects or sensitive areas
  • Groundwater study: Some basins require hydrogeological assessment
  • Water district approval: If in a special water district
  • Biological review: If property has habitat concerns

Setback Requirements

Wells must maintain minimum distances from potential contamination sources:

Standard Setbacks

Feature Minimum Distance
Septic tank 50 feet
Septic leach field 100 feet
Sewer line 50 feet
Property line 10 feet (may vary)
Animal enclosures 50-100 feet
Streams/water bodies 50-100 feet
Another well 50 feet (recommended)

Note: Some areas have stricter requirements. Your contractor or DEH can confirm requirements for your specific location.

The Permit Process

Step 1: Site Evaluation

Before applying, determine if your property can accommodate a well:

  • Check setback compliance
  • Review any deed restrictions
  • Verify drilling access for equipment
  • Assess groundwater prospects (neighboring well data)

Step 2: Application Submission

Submit completed application with all required documents to DEH:

  • In person: DEH office in Kearny Mesa
  • By mail: Allow extra processing time
  • Through contractor: Most drilling contractors handle this

Step 3: Plan Review

DEH reviews the application for:

  • Setback compliance
  • Groundwater protection
  • Proper well design
  • Environmental concerns

Timeline: 2-4 weeks for standard applications

Step 4: Permit Issuance

Once approved, you receive:

  • Well permit document
  • Approved site plan
  • Construction requirements/conditions
  • Inspection requirements

Permit validity: Typically 1 year from issuance

Step 5: Well Construction

Licensed contractor drills well per approved specifications:

  • Must use C-57 licensed well driller
  • Contractor calls for inspections as required
  • Well must match approved design

Step 6: Final Inspection

DEH inspector verifies:

  • Well constructed per permit
  • Proper sanitary seal installed
  • Wellhead completion meets standards
  • Water quality testing completed (if required)

Step 7: Well Completion Report

Contractor submits well log to:

  • San Diego County DEH
  • California Department of Water Resources

This becomes the permanent record of your well.

Timeline Summary

Phase Duration
Application preparation 1-3 days
Permit review (standard) 2-4 weeks
Permit review (complex) 6-12+ weeks
Drilling (once permitted) 1-5 days
Final inspection Within 1 week of completion

Total typical timeline: 4-8 weeks from application to completed well

Special Considerations

Groundwater Sustainability (SGMA)

Some San Diego County basins are subject to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requirements:

  • May require well registration
  • May have extraction limits
  • May require metering

Water Quality Protection Areas

Properties near reservoirs, sensitive habitats, or known contamination sites may have additional requirements.

Community Plan Areas

Some community planning areas (Julian, Borrego Springs, etc.) have specific well policies due to groundwater concerns.

Common Permit Issues

Setback Violations

If your proposed location doesn't meet setbacks:

  • Relocate the well (most common solution)
  • Request variance (difficult, requires justification)
  • Modify septic system to create clearance

Incomplete Applications

Most delays come from missing information. Work with an experienced contractor to ensure complete submission.

Environmental Review Triggers

Projects may trigger additional review if:

  • Located in sensitive habitat areas
  • Part of larger development project
  • In a critically overdrafted basin

Let Us Handle the Permits

Southern California Well Service handles the complete permitting process as part of our drilling service. We know the requirements, have relationships with DEH staff, and ensure your application moves smoothly.

  • ✅ Prepare all application documents
  • ✅ Submit and track permit status
  • ✅ Coordinate all inspections
  • ✅ File completion reports

📞 Call (760) 440-8520

Request Quote