A well permit is required in Ventura County for installation, repair, modification or destruction of cathodic protection wells, engineering test holes, monitoring wells, or any water well. Properly built wells protect groundwater quality, prevent contamination, and safeguard public health and the local water supply.

The Groundwater Section issues well permits for the County Unincorporated area and, by agreement, for the incorporated city areas with the exception of the City of Oxnard. For projects located within the boundaries of the City of Oxnard, please contact the City of Oxnard regarding permitting.

For Water Supply Wells:

• If the proposed water supply well location is within the boundaries of a groundwater sustainability agency, additional information (permits or written approval) may be required. If your property is within the boundaries of Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency or the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management , a permit from that agency is required before applying with the Groundwater Section.
• Santa Paula Basin is an adjudicated basin. If your proposed well is within the Santa Paula Basin, please contact the Santa Paula Pumpers Association for written approval before submitting a permit to the Groundwater Section.
• For proposed wells located outside other agency boundaries, the Groundwater Section only requires the County of Ventura Well Permit Application.

For cathodic protection wells, engineering test holes, and monitoring wells:

• A permit is required for any cathodic protection well or engineering test hole that is drilled to a depth over 50 ft deep.
• A permit is required anytime groundwater is encountered (or expected to be encountered) during drilling activities shallower than 50 feet deep.
• Registered Inspectors are required to inspect drilling and sealing operations for engineering test holes and monitoring wells.

Contacts:

For questions regarding permitting requirements, please contact us:

Related links

Well Permits Links

• County of Ventura Application for  Well Permit Application
• County of Ventura Well Permit Fee Schedule
• Licensed Well Driller Registration Form
• Inspector Registration Form
• Certificate of Exemption Form

The Groundwater Section collects groundwater quality and water level data throughout the County on an on-going basis for groundwater studies, trend analysis, and to provide long-term historic records. In addition to collecting data, the Groundwater Section maintains files on current and historic Well Completion Reports (well logs) and other historic well information. Please email or call us to request relevant groundwater data.

Groundwater Data Links:

Data Reports – Previous Reports Available Upon Request

• 2021 Groundwater Report
• Basin Map

Water Purveyors Information

• Water Purveyors Book

A Water Well Pump and Recovery Test (Quantity Test) is required for water wells that will be the sole source of domestic water for a new or expanded use project; the test demonstrates an adequate long-term water supply for the project. The Groundwater Section reviews these tests to confirm they meet the minimum requirements, as stated in the pump test criteria guidelines. The Ventura County Environmental Health Department (VCEHD) reviews the water quality requirements for domestic wells. Together, the approved quality and quantity tests are used by VCEHD to certify the well. For additional information regarding domestic well certification and water quality requirements please visit the Ventura County Environmental Health Department-Drinking Water.

Related Links

Pump and Recovery Tests

• Water Well Pump Test Criteria
• Pump and Recovery Test Form

The Groundwater Section reviews all types of proposed development projects, ranging from individual residential projects to large-scale land developments, that have the potential to impact water resources. These evaluations help ensure that growth and land use changes are balanced with the protection of groundwater and surface water. By applying appropriate conditions, sustainable development practices protect the County’s long-term groundwater goals.

For general questions related to planning, zoning, and application filing, contact the Public Counter by email at Plan.Counter@venturacounty.gov or by calling one of the phone numbers listed below.

When calling or emailing, please have the property’s Assessor Parcel Number (APN) or address ready and provide a brief description of the information you’re seeking.

Discretionary Permits: To submit a Conditional Use Permit, Planned Development Permit, Subdivision Application, or other Discretionary Permit Applications contact the Planning Counter staff for an appointment at (805) 654-2488.

Ayuda en Español: (805) 654-2451

For General Questions or Concerns, Please Contact Us At:

• Ventura County Well Ordinance No. 4468
• Exhibit No. 1: Policies and Procedures for Water Well Flowmeter Calibration

Locating Wells

• Procedures for Locating a Well

The passing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014 set forth a statewide framework to help protect groundwater resources over the long-term. The goal of SGMA is to achieve locally defined sustainability goals in California’s high and medium priority groundwater basins over a 20-year timeframe. SGMA entrusted local, public Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage groundwater resources. GSAs are responsible for developing and implementing Groundwater Sustainability Plans, which outline the pathway to reaching local sustainability goals that consider all beneficial uses and users of groundwater in a basin. Local GSAs are tasked with calculating the sustainable yield of groundwater basins and aquifers. Groundwater management and planning efforts often include calculating groundwater extraction limits and application of regulatory actions, such as issuing permits or assigning annual extraction allocations.

For information about your local GSA, please refer to the list below.

• Arroyo Santa Rosa Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency
• Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency
• Cuyama Groundwater Sustainability Agency
• Fillmore- Piru Groundwater Sustainability Agency
• Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (Oxnard, Pleasant Valley, Los Posas Valley Basins)
• Ojai Valley Groundwater Management Agency
• Upper Ventura River Groundwater Sustainability Agency