Do I need a permit to drill a water well in Texas?
TexasReviewed October 2026
Often you need at least to register it, and the rules come from your local groundwater conservation district (GCD), not a single state permit. Texas had 98 confirmed GCDs as of November 2022, and they have authority to regulate well spacing and production. Under Texas Water Code 36.117, a well used only for domestic or livestock use on a tract larger than 10 acres, and not capable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day, is exempt from a district production permit. Even exempt wells must still be registered with the district, meet its construction standards and follow its spacing rules. If your land is not in any GCD, fewer local rules may apply, but state driller and construction rules still do. Call your district before drilling.
Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.