TL;DR
Yes — every Utah well requires a water right plus a Start Card from the Division of Water Rights before a rig can move. There are no exempt domestic wells in Utah.
Summary
Understanding Utah's water rights and well drilling permit requirements. A step-by-step guide to getting your Start Card and beginning your well project.
How to Get a Utah Well Drilling Permit
- Confirm or acquire a water right. Check waterrights.utah.gov to see whether your parcel has an existing right or whether you need a change application.
- File the application online. Submit the appropriate application to the Utah Division of Water Rights with property description, quantity, and point of diversion.
- Wait through the protest period. Allow for two weeks of newspaper publication plus a 20-day protest window before the State Engineer rules.
- Receive your Start Card. Once approved, the Division issues a Start Card you must hand to your licensed driller before work begins.
- Drill and file the well log. Your licensed driller completes the well and files the Well Driller's Report within 30 days of completion.