Overview: How Utah Well Permitting Works
In Utah, water is a public resource managed by the state. You cannot simply drill a well on your property without going through the Utah Division of Water Rights (DWRi), which is part of the Department of Natural Resources. This process has two main components:
- A Water Right — your legal right to use a specific amount of water from a specific source
- A Well Permit — authorization to construct the physical well structure
Both are required before drilling begins. Utah follows the doctrine of Prior Appropriation — first in time, first in right. Water rights are senior or junior based on when they were established, which is especially critical in water-scarce Southern Utah.
Important: Drilling a well without a permit is a violation of Utah law and can result in well closure orders, fines, and loss of water rights. Never hire a driller who says you can skip the permit process.
Step 1: Establish Your Water Right
Before you can drill, you need a water right for the groundwater you intend to use. Here's how to start:
Check Existing Rights First
Many properties — especially those that have previously had wells — may already have a water right attached to the parcel. Search the Utah DWRi database at waterrights.utah.gov before applying for a new one. Enter your property's Township, Range, and Section information.
Applying for a New Water Right
If no right exists, you must file an Application to Appropriate Water with the Utah Division of Water Rights. This application requires:
- Legal description of your property (Township/Range/Section)
- Source of water (groundwater — unconfined or confined aquifer)
- Amount of water requested (in acre-feet per year)
- Intended use (domestic, irrigation, stock watering, commercial, etc.)
- Diversion rate (gallons per minute)
- Place of use map
- Filing fee ($50–$300 depending on quantity requested)
Once submitted, the application is advertised for a public protest period (typically 20 days). If unappealed, the State Engineer will approve or conditionally approve the application. This process can take 30 days to several months depending on volume and complexity.
Washington County Warning: The Virgin River Basin and Washington County area are heavily over-appropriated. New water right applications in this area face long review periods and may be denied or placed in queue. Apply as early as possible — ideally a year before you plan to drill.
Domestic Well Exemption — The Fast Track for Most Homeowners
Good news for most residential property owners: Utah law provides a domestic use exemption that significantly simplifies the process for small household wells.
What Qualifies?
Under Utah Code 73-3-30, you may drill a domestic well without a formal water right application if:
- The well is for household use only (drinking, cooking, bathing, sanitation)
- Diversion does not exceed 0.5 acre-feet per year (approximately 163,000 gallons)
- Diversion rate does not exceed 2 gallons per minute continuous or 200 gallons per day
- The water is used on the same property where it is diverted
- The well is for a single family home
What Domestic Exemption Does NOT Cover
- Irrigation or garden watering beyond incidental household use
- Livestock watering
- Multiple dwelling units from one well
- Commercial or agricultural uses
Pro Tip: Even under the domestic exemption, you still need a well permit (the physical construction authorization). The exemption only eliminates the need for a separate water right application — not the well permit itself.
Step 2: Submit Your Well Permit Application
Once your water right is established (or you qualify for the domestic exemption), you apply for the physical well permit through the Utah Division of Water Rights.
Required Information
- Owner name, address, and contact information
- Property legal description and parcel number
- Proposed well location (latitude/longitude and Township/Range/Section)
- Estimated depth and casing specifications
- Intended use of water
- Name and Utah license number of your driller
- Water right number (or domestic exemption claim)
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted online through the Utah DWRi portal at waterrights.utah.gov or by mail. Online applications are processed faster. Your licensed well driller (like Utah Water Well Alliance) typically submits this application on your behalf as part of the drilling contract.
Well Permit Setback Requirements
Your well must comply with these minimum setbacks:
- 100 feet from a septic system leach field
- 50 feet from a septic tank or cesspool
- 50 feet from a property line (varies by county)
- 100 feet from any animal feedlot or manure storage
- Special review required within 100 feet of surface water
Step 3: The Start Card — Your Authorization to Drill
What Is the Start Card?
The Start Card (officially called the Authorization to Construct a Well) is the physical document issued by the Utah Division of Water Rights that authorizes drilling to begin. It is the most important document in the permitting process.
- Must be posted at the drill site before and during all drilling operations
- Your driller is legally required to have it on-site — no exceptions
- Valid for 2 years from the date of issuance
- Contains your permit number, approved depth, casing requirements, and conditions
- Can be renewed if the 2-year window expires before drilling begins
- Issued by the State Engineer's office after permit approval
How Long Does It Take to Get a Start Card?
Processing times vary by season and county. Typical timelines:
- Domestic exemption wells: 2–6 weeks from application
- Standard permitted wells: 4–12 weeks depending on workload
- Washington County: Allow extra time due to higher application volume
Utah Water Well Alliance handles the entire permit and Start Card process for you. We know the application system, the required documentation, and the local reviewers. Most of our clients never have to visit a state office.
Step 4: Drilling Your Well
Once the Start Card is in hand and posted at the site, drilling can begin. Utah requires that all wells be drilled by a licensed well driller — it is illegal to drill your own well in Utah without a state license.
What the Driller Must Do
- Display the Start Card at the drill site at all times
- Drill to the permitted depth or as needed to reach a productive aquifer
- Install proper steel or Schedule 80 PVC casing to required depths
- Grout the annular space to prevent surface contamination
- Develop the well (pump out drilling fluids and sediment)
- Conduct a pump test to document yield in gallons per minute
- Disinfect the well with chlorine per Utah standards
Southern Utah Geology — What to Expect
Southern Utah's geology is complex and varies significantly by location:
- Washington County / St. George area: Sandstone, limestone, and basin alluvium. Well depths typically 200–800 feet. The Navajo Sandstone aquifer is the primary source in many areas.
- Iron County / Cedar City area: Volcanic and sedimentary formations. The Cedar Valley aquifer serves this region. Depths typically 300–600 feet.
- Beaver County: Valley fill alluvium and volcanic rock. Variable yields.
- Kane County / Kanab area: Sandstone and limestone. Often hard rock drilling required. Depths 400–900 feet.
- Garfield County: Remote basin areas with variable conditions. Site-specific assessment essential.
Step 5: The Driller's Completion Report
Within 30 days of completing the well, your licensed driller is legally required to file a Well Driller's Completion Report (Form UGS-10) with the Utah Division of Water Rights. This is non-negotiable under Utah law.
What the Report Includes
- Final well depth
- Casing type, diameter, and depth
- Grout log (type and placement)
- Static water level (depth to water before pumping)
- Pump test data — yield in gallons per minute at various drawdown levels
- Geological log (formations encountered at depth)
- Water quality field observations
- GPS coordinates of the completed well
This report becomes a permanent public record in the Utah DWRi database and is used for future hydrogeologic studies and water planning. It is also required if you ever sell your property — title companies will look for it.
Step 6: Perfecting Your Water Right (Proof of Appropriation)
If you filed a water right application (rather than using the domestic exemption), the final step is to "perfect" your water right by filing a Proof of Beneficial Use with the state.
This form documents that you have:
- Completed the well
- Used the water for the approved beneficial purpose
- Used no more than the approved quantity
Once approved by the State Engineer, your water right certificate is issued — a permanent, property-attached legal right to use that water in perpetuity (unless abandoned for 5+ years).
Don't Skip This Step: Failing to file Proof of Appropriation within the time specified on your approval means your water right can be forfeited. Set a reminder.
Southern Utah — Special Considerations
Washington County (St. George / Hurricane area)
Washington County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and water is a critical concern. The Washington County Water Conservancy District works alongside the state to manage local water resources. Key points:
- The Virgin River Basin is over-appropriated — new applications are placed in queue
- Many areas require connection to municipal water if available — private wells may be restricted in certain zones
- The Navajo Sandstone aquifer is a major source but is also heavily used
- Deep wells (500–800+ feet) are often required to reach productive zones
- Arsenic levels can be elevated — water testing is strongly recommended
Iron County (Cedar City area)
Iron County has active groundwater management. The Cedar Valley is a confined aquifer system with designated water management areas. Drilling permits here may require additional documentation regarding aquifer impacts.
Kane and Garfield Counties
These rural counties offer more flexibility but also more geological uncertainty. Hard rock drilling is common, and water yields can be low in some formations. Site-specific hydrogeological assessment is often worthwhile before committing to a drill site.
Beaver County
Agricultural and residential wells are common here. The Beaver Valley Groundwater Management Area has specific rules about well spacing and quantity allocation. Know your allocation before you apply.
Permit Costs & Timelines
Here's what to budget for the permitting side of your well project (these are state fees only — not drilling costs):
State of Utah Permit Fees
- Application to Appropriate Water: $50–$300 (based on quantity)
- Well Permit Application: $75–$150
- Proof of Appropriation: $25–$50
- Amendment or change filing: $25–$100
Total Timeline — Best Case to Typical
- Domestic exemption, simple property: 4–8 weeks to Start Card
- Standard water right, uncontested: 2–4 months to Start Card
- Washington County / contested basin: 6–18 months or longer
Plan Early: If you're building a home or developing land in Southern Utah, start the water right and well permit process as early as possible — ideally before you finalize your land purchase. Water availability can make or break a rural property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drill my own well in Utah?
No. Utah law requires all water wells to be drilled by a licensed well driller. Homeowner-drilled wells are not legal and will not be issued a permit or Start Card.
Do I need a well permit for a monitoring or test well?
Yes. Any well penetrating more than 30 feet into the ground requires a permit in Utah, including monitoring wells, exploratory wells, and geothermal wells.
My neighbor has a well — can I use the same water right?
No. Water rights are tied to the specific parcel and the specific well. Your neighbor's water right authorizes their use only. You must establish your own.
What if I find water shallower than my permitted depth?
You can stop drilling at a productive depth shallower than permitted. The Driller's Report will document the actual completion depth. You do not need to drill deeper than necessary.
How do I know if there's water on my land?
Utah Water Well Alliance performs site consultations that include review of nearby well logs (public records in the DWRi database), aquifer mapping, and geological assessment of your property. This is the most reliable method — water witching has no scientific validity.
Can I connect multiple buildings to one well?
For domestic exemption wells — generally no, as they are limited to a single family home. For permitted wells with adequate water rights, multiple connections may be possible with proper permitting. This is common on farms and ranches.
Let Us Handle the Permit Process for You
Utah Water Well Alliance has guided hundreds of Southern Utah property owners through the DWRi permit process. We handle the paperwork, know the application system, and work directly with state reviewers to keep your project moving.
Our permit assistance service includes:
- Water right database search for your parcel
- Preparation and submission of all permit applications
- Coordination with Utah DWRi reviewers
- Start Card receipt and on-site posting
- Driller's Report filing within required 30-day window
- Guidance on Proof of Appropriation (where required)