A modern water well is an engineered and constructed method of delivering groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. In California, permitting authority over well drilling activities rests with the local well permitting agency. In Butte County, the permitting agency is Environmental Health, and all wells must be drilled and constructed under permit. Environmental Health permits both domestic and agricultural wells. California Water Code requires that any construction, alteration or destruction work done on a well shall be performed by a licensed C-57 Water Well Contractor.

Water Well Ordinance

Water Well Manual

Applications and Supporting Documents

Applications may be submitted via this email address: bcenvhealth@buttecounty.net

Well Permit Application
Well Application Packet
Site Plan Example
Job Site Locator
Disinfection Statement
Agent Authorization Form

Exploratory Well Information & Disclaimer

Importance of Parcel Review
Exploratory Well FAQs
Exploratory Well Disclaimer/Acknowledgement Form

Additional Documents for Agricultural Wells

Adjacent Property Owner Notification Form
Ag Well Permit Acknowledgement Form

Well Permits in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concern Areas

VOC Fact Sheet
VOC Area Map
VOC Area Well Permit Disclosure Form