Do You Need a Permit to Drill a Water Well in Florida?

If your Florida property is not connected to a public water supply, drilling a private well is often the only practical option for potable water. Before anyone picks up a drill bit, though, you need a permit — and that permit does not come from your county building department. In Florida, residential water well permits are issued by the county health department (Florida DOH) or, in certain counties, by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This matters: the $7,500 permit exemption under HB 803 applies only to building permits. Water well permits sit entirely outside that exemption and are required in all 67 Florida counties, no exceptions.

Who Issues Water Well Permits in Florida?

The issuing authority depends on where your property is located:

• Most Florida counties: The county office of the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issues all residential water well permits and enforces standards under Chapter 62-532 of the Florida Administrative Code.
• 16 Panhandle counties and Marion County: As of January 2, 2025, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) assumed well permitting responsibility in these counties as part of a planned statewide transition.

In all cases, the rules are governed by Florida Statute 373.326 and Chapter 62-532 FAC, which set statewide minimum standards for well construction, setbacks, contractor licensing, and water quality testing. Florida's five regional water management districts — Southwest Florida (SWFWMD), South Florida (SFWMD), St. Johns River (SJRWMD), Northwest Florida (NWFWMD), and Suwannee River (SRWMD) — may have additional jurisdiction over wells that supply water beyond typical household use.

What Does a Florida Water Well Permit Cover?

A water well construction permit in Florida authorizes the entire installation process, from the first drill rotation through final hookup to your home. It covers:

• Drilling: Approved depth, diameter, and drilling method for your specific site conditions and aquifer
• Casing and grouting: The materials and procedures used to seal the well annular space against surface contamination
• Pump and pressure tank installation: The submersible pump, pressure tank, and connections to your home's plumbing system
• Water quality testing: Bacteriological and chemical analysis of the water after well completion

Your licensed water well contractor submits the permit application to the DOH or DEP before drilling begins, including the proposed well location, intended depth, construction specifications, and the contractor's license information. No drilling may start before the permit is issued.

What Are the Setback Requirements for a Residential Water Well?

Florida's Chapter 62-532 FAC establishes minimum setback distances between a residential water well and potential contamination sources. These rules protect the Floridan and surficial aquifers that millions of Floridians rely on for drinking water:

• Septic system drainfield: At least 75 feet from any onsite septic drainfield. This is the most critical setback for most properties — see our guide on Florida septic permits for the corresponding rules from the septic side.
• Petroleum storage tanks: At least 75 feet from any underground or above-ground fuel storage tank
• Wastewater disposal areas: At least 50 feet from the edge of any wastewater disposal trenches or dosing chambers
• Property lines: At least 10 feet in most counties, though local ordinances may require greater distances
• Flood zones: Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas must meet FEMA elevation guidelines and may require reinforced well casing or other flood-resistant construction

These are Florida minimums. Your county may be stricter, and the permit reviewer will assess your specific site — including soil type, groundwater depth, and proximity to potential contamination sources — before approving the application. In Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and other Tampa Bay–area counties, lot sizes in suburban developments sometimes make meeting the 75-foot septic setback the most challenging part of the site plan.

How Much Does a Water Well Permit Cost in Florida?

Water well permit fees in Florida are charged by the issuing DOH county office or DEP. Typical government permit fees run $150 to $400 for a standard single-family residential well. Some counties also charge a site evaluation or review fee of $50–$100 before the permit is issued.

These permit fees are a small fraction of the total project cost. A complete residential water well installation in Florida — including drilling, casing, pump, pressure tank, and connection to the home — typically costs $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the depth needed to reach a usable aquifer and local contractor rates. In parts of South Florida and coastal areas where the freshwater table is shallow or where saltwater intrusion is a concern, deeper or more complex wells push total costs toward the upper end of that range.

Can You Drill Your Own Well in Florida?

For practical purposes, no. Florida law requires water well construction to be performed by a licensed water well contractor (licensed under Florida Statute 489.553) for any well more than two inches in diameter. Since a functional residential water supply well must be larger than two inches, hiring a licensed contractor is effectively mandatory for every residential well installation.

There is a narrow exemption under Chapter 62-532 FAC for an individual who constructs a private well two inches or smaller in diameter on land they own or lease for their own private use — but a well that small cannot supply a household's water needs. Before you hire anyone, verify their license is current and active. Our guide on how to verify a Florida contractor license explains how to check the DOH water well contractor registry.

Do You Need a Separate Water Use Permit?

For most private residential wells, the answer is no. Florida's water management districts provide a domestic use exemption that covers water used for household purposes in a private residence. A single well serving up to four non-rental residences — or one rental unit — generally qualifies for this exemption and does not require a separate water use (consumptive use) permit from the governing water management district.

If your well will serve more than four residences, a commercial facility, irrigation beyond household use, or agricultural purposes, a water use permit from your regional water management district is likely required. Contact your district directly before drilling begins if your use case might exceed the domestic exemption boundaries.

What Happens After the Well Is Drilled?

Once drilling and construction are complete, there are several required post-construction steps:

• Well Completion Report (WCR): Your contractor must submit a WCR to the DOH or DEP within 30 days of completing the well, documenting the well's depth, construction details, and location
• Bacteriological testing: A water quality test showing the well meets Florida drinking water standards for bacteria must be submitted before the well is put into use
• Chemical testing: Depending on the county and aquifer conditions, testing for nitrates, minerals, heavy metals, or other contaminants may also be required under Chapter 62-532

For new home construction, your building department typically requires a copy of the WCR and satisfactory water test results before issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. For an existing home adding a well, retain these documents in your home files — they will come up at insurance review and resale.

What Happens If You Drill a Well Without a Permit?

Drilling a water well in Florida without a permit violates Chapter 62-532 FAC and Florida Statute 373.333. The consequences can be severe:

• Administrative fines: The DOH or DEP can levy daily fines until the violation is resolved
• Mandatory plugging: Enforcement agencies can require the unauthorized well to be properly plugged and abandoned at your expense — and plugging itself requires a separate permit
• Environmental liability: An improperly constructed unpermitted well that contaminates a neighboring well or a protected aquifer can expose you to significant civil and regulatory liability
• Title and sale complications: An unpermitted well surfaces in property searches and can delay or block sale or refinancing of the property

The stakes here extend beyond your own property to the shared aquifer that neighbors and entire communities depend on. For a broader look at consequences of unpermitted work in Florida, see our guide on what happens if you build without a permit in Florida.

Planning to drill a well or add a private water supply to your Florida home? Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with a licensed water well contractor and permit specialist in your county.