Planning to install or modify a private well or septic system? Pattern helps property owners navigate well and septic permit requirements throughout Los Angeles County, ensuring applications meet local regulations and move through the approval process as efficiently as possible.
Well and septic permits are government-issued approvals homeowners need to acquire before installing a septic system or a private well.
Depending on the scope of the project, you may need a permit to build, replace, repair, modify, or remove private water wells and on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) or septic systems.
Getting permits ensures that:
In most cases, the state or city’s environmental and health departments are the offices that oversee well and septic permitting. They also set the requirements. But that is where most states can wildly vary.
The State of California, for instance, requires a permit for all newly built wells. This often involves specific tests for underground water quality.
Compliance is important because, when designed or installed poorly, wells and septic tanks can cause serious public health risks.
A compromised septic system can release raw, untreated sewage and toxic gases, endangering humans and animals. Waste water contains pathogens, including disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
In general, you need a permit for permanent wells, such as those that provide water for a household.
However, certain temporary wells may be exempt in some areas. A well drilled for a short-term construction site, for example, might not require a permit, though this can depend on which city or state you are in.
You may need a well drilling permit if you are:
New oil and gas wells are not allowed in California, including Los Angeles County, though there are existing structures.
A septic permit is necessary if you are installing a brand-new septic tank on a property that doesn’t already have access to public sewer. This may also apply to:
Most jurisdictions would order a permit before digging begins. Drilling without appropriate approvals can result in fines, mandatory removal of unpermitted work, stop-work orders, and significant delays.
That said, minor work and repairs don’t usually need city or state approval. According to the California Central Coast Water Board, you typically won’t need a permit for:
Of course, the safest approach is always to refer to local authorities. Confirm with your city or municipality’s health or environmental department whether your particular project requires permits to avoid potential fines.
For property owners in Los Angeles County, early planning is recommended due to the complexities of permitting procedures.
A septic system permit is exactly that—it allows private property owners to legally build, expand, or make significant alterations to their on-site wastewater treatment systems.
In a municipal sewer system, wastewater is transported to a centralized treatment facility, where it’s cleaned before being discharged into the local environment.
OWTS, on the other hand, treat water on-site, directly at the property. It consists of a septic tank that separates solids from liquids, distribution piping lines, and a drain field for filtering wastewater.
Because of the risk of contamination, most states or cities would require a permit for OWTS.
In Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Environmental Health Division and LA County Public Works – Building and Safety Division are responsible for septic permitting.
Similarly, a water well permit lets you construct, alter, repair, modify, destroy, or move an existing well on your property.
A permit, in this case, is necessary to ensure the project is designed in compliance with existing laws and doesn’t compromise underground aquifers. That, in addition to being a reliable source of clean water.
Because private wells draw water from underground using pumps, they need to be constructed well to prevent bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants from entering.
Agencies usually consider various factors before giving the green light for a well permit application.
In many cases, they’ll evaluate the site and measure the distance from other water facilities, livestock areas, and potential sources of contamination.
No, you can’t generally build a well or septic system without a permit in Los Angeles County.
That also means that if a property relies on a private well or has an OWST installed, modifying, replacing, expanding, or abandoning these systems without appropriate permits can be deemed illegal.
Los Angeles is particularly rigid when it comes to wells because of its existing regulations protecting underground water. Soil boring or excavations deeper than 10 feet must follow an even stricter guideline.
A homeowner may need to coordinate with multiple agencies and provide proof that their construction won’t affect groundwater sustainability goals before they can start drilling.
Violations of these rules can result in penalties of up to $5,000. Offenders must also shoulder payments for the mandatory destruction of unlicensed work.
If the well passes inspection and is allowed to stay, retroactive permitting can also cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000.
Unapproved sanitation systems can even be more costly. Fines can range from a few hundred dollars to $10,000. If the OWTS fails environmental compliance checks, tearing the septic down can set you thousands of dollars more.
While requirements can vary by state, county, or city, permitting agencies usually follow similar steps and evaluate common factors before handing out approvals.
Here are some of the key requirements for well and septic permits:
The condition of the project’s site is crucial to getting a permit, and it’s one of the first factors agencies evaluate.
For wells, authorities or local environmental health specialists will assess the property’s soil composition, slope, groundwater depth, and the overall available space.
A septic system will require a different set of tests, particularly a perc test. This test will determine the suitability of the location to treat effluent.
You can just install or build a septic or well anywhere on your property. Homeowners must also consider the setbacks that may apply, including:
In some jurisdictions, a minimum lot size requirement may apply for authorities to approve an OWTS application. This is because smaller parcels may not have enough room for the necessary setbacks and drain fields.
Additional requirements may be required of properties with steep slopes, shallow bedrock, and those located in flood-prone regions.
We recommend carefully reviewing your local regulations before installation to avoid expensive redesigns later.
Protecting public safety and health is the primary purpose of permits.
Through that lens, agencies will evaluate whether a proposal can impact valuable resources, properties, and local ecosystems.
While not applicable to everyone, if deemed necessary, the local government can require professional reports prepared by licensed geologists, engineers, soil scientists, or consultants.
A percolation test is essentially a soil drainage test. It measures the rate at which water moves through the soil on a property where a septic system will be built. As you know, OWTS uses the drain or leach fields as a natural filtration system.
Checking drain speed is an important check in permitting because it determines whether the ground can safely absorb wastewater and clean it.
To do this, a qualified professional will dig holes in designated areas of the site. They then fill the cavities with water and record the time it takes for it to drop in minutes per inch (MPI).
Ideally, it doesn’t drain too fast or too slow.
For a septic system, a good perc test result is a drainage rate between 5 and 30 MPI. This means that liquid drops at a rate of one inch every 5 to 30 minutes.
The good news is that failing the perc test doesn’t mean you can’t construct a septic system. It only means that the land is unsuitable for a traditional septic system.
But you do have to find a system that works.
Common alternatives include the mound system, which involves installing an elevated drainage field, and aerobic treatment units (ATUS), which utilize oxygen to break down waste quickly.
To find out which alternative works for your property, talk to a licensed engineer and have them verify which options work best.
Getting a well or septic tank permit in Los Angeles needs appropriate preparation.
For water well permits, you want to contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health through its Drinking Water Program. They’re responsible for the review and approval of applications.
Certain cities, such as Long Beach, Vernon, and Pasadena, have their own departments for this purpose. As such, you may have to contact them if you live in these areas.
Both well and septic applications will require a preliminary site evaluation. For sanitary systems, a Perc test will be performed. Well proposals may need a water yield and quality test.
In addition to a completed application form, you’ll also be required to submit a project or system plan. This is often based on the evaluation report and drafted with the help of a licensed professional.
The draft must describe the exact specifications of the proposal.
After submitting the form and necessary documents, the authorities will carefully review the application. Wait times can vary, but once approved, they will issue a permit for the work described and conduct inspections.
A permit or certification report will be provided after passing the final inspection.
The exact list of documents required for a well and OWTS permit differs in every jurisdiction. However, they typically include the following:
An incomplete submission is one of the most common causes of application delays. You can ask for a checklist of requirements from your local health department to avoid this.
Acquiring permits for wells and septic systems is a routine part of construction projects. However, the process isn’t always as smooth-sailing for everyone.
One common difficulty property owners face is an unsuitable soil condition. It may be too dry for a well or too sandy for a traditional septic arrangement.
Some homeowners have oddly-shaped lots that may not meet setback regulations. Others struggle with steeply sloped lands or have properties near heavily protected areas.
Navigating the complex guidelines and procedures for well and septic permitting can be overwhelming.
Pattern is a trusted provider of land use, planning, and development services in Los Angeles County. With over a decade of experience in the industry, we assist clients in expediting permits and applications.
Our team of legal experts and advisors provides personalized solutions to meet your unique needs, so your projects can move on time.
Talk to Pattern and let us know how we can help today!
There’s no set timeline for how long a well or septic tank permit application can take. Submitting completed paperwork and working with professionals familiar with local guidelines can shave plenty of waiting time.
The cost of a well and septic permit depends on several factors, including property location and project complexity. In Los Angeles, the application fee can be around $1,000.
Yes, well and septic inspections and tests are performed to ensure they meet setbacks, water quality, drainage, and other relevant project specifications.
Yes, but performing a major modification might need a permit. Routine maintenance and repairs don’t usually need approval.
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