Water Rights Fee Registration Information

Who is required to register?

Effective January 1, 2004, the California Water Code was amended to require the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to adopt emergency regulations revising and establishing water right fees and water quality certification fees to be deposited in the Water Rights Fund in the State Treasury.

The Water Code authorizes the State Water Board to periodically adjust the fees and requires the State Water Board to revise the fee schedule each fiscal year as necessary to conform to the revenue levels set forth in the annual Budget Act.(Water Code, §§ 1525, 1530 & 13160.1.)

The State Water Board entered into a contractual arrangement with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to process and collect all assessed annual fees. The State Water Board provides billing information to the CDTFA.

For questions about registration, water rights or permits you should contact the State Water Board at:

State Water Resources Control Board
Division of Water Rights
P.O. Box 2000
Sacramento, CA 95812
916-341-5300
Fax 916-341-5400
State Water Board

There is no online registration with CDTFA.