The purpose of this program is to regulate and permit the construction and installation of community water supply wells, individual domestic wells, irrigation wells, industrial wells, agricultural wells, cathodic protection wells, electrical grounding wells, test and exploratory holes, observation wells and salt water (hydraulic) barrier wells.

On September 5, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-3-24 which effective immediately terminates the provisions of Executive Order N-3-23 (February 13, 2023) that generally reaffirmed the provisions of Executive Order N-7-22 (March 28, 2022) and that prohibited San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Services (“EHS”) from issuing a construction permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing groundwater well pursuant to Chapter 8.40 of the San Luis Obispo County Code unless certain requirements were met or the permit fell within the limited exceptions to the requirements as more specifically set forth in the below document prepared by EHS in response to the requirements.  Based on Executive Order N-3-24, the below procedures from the Previous Water Well Construction Permit Application are no longer in effect.

Current Water Well Construction Permit Application

Previous Procedures from the Water Well Construction Permit Application (for reference purposes only)

Private Well Owner Resources 

Access guidance documents intended to assist private well owners in San Luis Obispo County with routine maintenance of well systems and to help make sure well water is safe to use.

Well Drillers' Resources 

Access map tools, guidance documents/resources that assist the well driller through the well permit application process. 

Water Well Data

Access map tools to search for County of San Luis Obispo County water well construction permit data.