Water Well Construction Permitting

What is the process?

Hire a C-57 licensed well driller.

To qualify as a well driller in the County of San Luis Obispo, the following conditions must be met:
 

  1. Driller shall have a current C-57 contractor license.
  2. Driller shall have a $25,000 surety bond in place with San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Services. A cashier's check may be submitted in place of a surety bond and payment shall be returned after the Well Completion Report is reviewed and approved.

Submit a Well Construction Permit Application

The well driller will submit a Well Construction Permit Application for each well on behalf of the property owner. 

 

Pay Well Construction Permit Application Fee

The well driller will pay the Water Well Construction Permit Application Fee and submit with the application. Please refer to the Environmental Health Permit Fee Schedule for more information.

Owners of dry wells in low water impacted areas may be eligible for a well construction permit fee waiver. ​

Receive Approval to Drill

It is unlawful to begin construction of a new Water Well without first receiving approval from Environmental Health Services.

The health inspector will review your completed application and sign off when approved. You may be contacted with any additional information that may be required, revisions needed, or when your application is approved.

Who can use this service?

This service is available to all C-57 licensed well drillers intending to drill a Drinking Water Well.

Visit our Well Driller Resources page to view helpful information on obtaining permits to construct or destroy a Water Well within San Luis Obispo County.

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to our Fee Schedule or contact our office at (805) 781-5544.
 

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Please visit us, email us, contact us, or call our office to begin the process.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Environmental Health Services Supervisors

Environmental Health Services is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm. 

Cindy Rattigan (805) 781-5544 [email protected]

Jeremiah Damery (805) 781-5548  [email protected]

  • Beach Water Quality, Cross-Connection, Land Use, Small Public Water Systems, Water Well Programs and Vector Programs

Leslie Terry (805) 781-5553  [email protected]

  • Body Art, Food Safety, Public Swimming Pools and Spa Pools

Linnea Chandler (805) 781-4917  [email protected]

  • Hazardous Materials (CUPA) Programs