{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/62.1-263.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/62.1-263.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/62.1-263.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/62.1-263.html"}],"law_id":74151,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74151,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263","catch_line":"Criteria for issuance of permits","history":"1992, c. 812; 1994, cc. 513, 592; 2024, c. 251.","full_text":"When reviewing an application for a permit to withdraw ground water, or an amendment to a permit, the Board may consider the nature of the proposed beneficial use, the proposed use of alternate or innovative approaches such as aquifer storage and recovery systems and surface and ground water conjunctive uses, climatic cycles, unique requirements for nuclear power stations, economic cycles, population projections, the status of land use and other necessary approvals, and the adoption and implementation of the applicant’s water conservation and management plan. In no case shall a permit be issued for more ground water than can be applied to the proposed beneficial use.\n\t\tWhen proposed uses of ground water are in conflict or when available supplies of ground water are insufficient for all who desire to use them, preference shall be given to uses for human consumption, over all others.\n\t\tIn evaluating permit applications, the Board shall ensure that the maximum possible safe supply of ground water will be preserved and protected for all other beneficial uses. The Board is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit application evaluation. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.\n\t\tIn evaluating the available ground water with respect to permit applications for new or expanded withdrawals in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Areas, the Board shall use the average of the actual historical ground water usage from the inception of the ground water withdrawals of a political subdivision or authority operating a ground water and surface water conjunctive use system and shall not use the total permit capacity of such system in determining such availability.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266658,"text":"When reviewing an application for a permit to withdraw ground water, or an amendment to a permit, the Board may consider the nature of the proposed beneficial use, the proposed use of alternate or innovative approaches such as aquifer storage and recovery systems and surface and ground water conjunctive uses, climatic cycles, unique requirements for nuclear power stations, economic cycles, population projections, the status of land use and other necessary approvals, and the adoption and implementation of the applicant’s water conservation and management plan. In no case shall a permit be issued for more ground water than can be applied to the proposed beneficial use.\n\t\tWhen proposed uses of ground water are in conflict or when available supplies of ground water are insufficient for all who desire to use them, preference shall be given to uses for human consumption, over all others.\n\t\tIn evaluating permit applications, the Board shall ensure that the maximum possible safe supply of ground water will be preserved and protected for all other beneficial uses. The Board is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit application evaluation. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.\n\t\tIn evaluating the available ground water with respect to permit applications for new or expanded withdrawals in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Areas, the Board shall use the average of the actual historical ground water usage from the inception of the ground water withdrawals of a political subdivision or authority operating a ground water and surface water conjunctive use system and shall not use the total permit capacity of such system in determining such availability.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13595,"edition_id":1,"name":"Ground Water Management Act of 1992","identifier":"25","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12909,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","permalink":{"id":269039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13595,"identifier":"25","token":"62.1\/25","url":"\/62.1\/25\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12909,"edition_id":1,"name":"Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors","identifier":"62.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":268199,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12909,"identifier":"62.1","token":"62.1","url":"\/62.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66154,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-254","catch_line":"Findings and purpose","url":"\/62.1-254\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-254","metadata":false},{"id":79593,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/62.1-255\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255","metadata":false},{"id":61205,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/62.1-255.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255.1","metadata":false},{"id":78244,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256","catch_line":" Duties of Board","url":"\/62.1-256\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256","metadata":false},{"id":66336,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/62.1-256.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256.1","metadata":false},{"id":81341,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256.2","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2030) Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Advisory Committee established; sunset","url":"\/62.1-256.2\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256.2","metadata":false},{"id":84825,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-257","catch_line":"When Board may initiate a ground water management area study proceeding; hearing required","url":"\/62.1-257\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-257","metadata":false},{"id":78237,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-258","catch_line":"Use of ground water in ground water management area; registration of well construction required","url":"\/62.1-258\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-258","metadata":false},{"id":84483,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-258.1","catch_line":"Irrigation wells for nonagricultural use prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/62.1-258.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-258.1","metadata":false},{"id":85111,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-259","catch_line":" Certain withdrawals; permit not required","url":"\/62.1-259\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-259","metadata":false},{"id":60711,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-259.1","catch_line":"Certain withdrawals; technical evaluation required","url":"\/62.1-259.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-259.1","metadata":false},{"id":63995,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-260","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in existing ground water management areas","url":"\/62.1-260\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-260","metadata":false},{"id":74245,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-261","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in newly established ground water management areas","url":"\/62.1-261\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-261","metadata":false},{"id":70026,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262","catch_line":"(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 100) Permits for other ground water withdrawals","url":"\/62.1-262\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262","metadata":false},{"id":83090,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262.1","catch_line":"Permits for withdrawals from Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area","url":"\/62.1-262.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262.1","metadata":false},{"id":77402,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262.2","catch_line":"Permits for certain ground water withdrawals in Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area","url":"\/62.1-262.2\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262.2","metadata":false},{"id":74151,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263","catch_line":"Criteria for issuance of permits","url":"\/62.1-263\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263","metadata":false},{"id":66178,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263.1","catch_line":"Permit rationale","url":"\/62.1-263.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263.1","metadata":false},{"id":80966,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-264","catch_line":"Permits for public water supplies","url":"\/62.1-264\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-264","metadata":false},{"id":60586,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-265","catch_line":"Drought relief wells","url":"\/62.1-265\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-265","metadata":false},{"id":62679,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-266","catch_line":"Ground water withdrawal permits","url":"\/62.1-266\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-266","metadata":false},{"id":76472,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-267","catch_line":"Issuance of special exceptions","url":"\/62.1-267\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-267","metadata":false},{"id":79539,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-268","catch_line":"Issuance of special orders","url":"\/62.1-268\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-268","metadata":false},{"id":78604,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-269","catch_line":"Enforcement by injunction, etc","url":"\/62.1-269\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-269","metadata":false},{"id":54563,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-270","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/62.1-270\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-270","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77402,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262.2","catch_line":"Permits for certain ground water withdrawals in Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area","url":"\/62.1-262.2\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66178,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263.1","catch_line":"Permit rationale","url":"\/62.1-263.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/62.1-263\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 812 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1992 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1994, chapters 513<\/a> and 592<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 251<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63995,"section_number":"62.1-260","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in existing ground water management areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-260\/"},{"id":74245,"section_number":"62.1-261","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in newly established ground water management areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-261\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":269105,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74151,"identifier":"62.1-263","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263","url":"\/62.1-263\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/62.1-263\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263","dublin_core":{"Title":"Criteria for issuance of permits","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 62.1-263","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

When reviewing an application for a permit to withdraw ground water<\/span>, or an amendment to a permit, the Board<\/span> may consider the nature of the proposed beneficial use<\/span>, the proposed use of alternate or innovative approaches such as aquifer storage and recovery systems and surface and ground water<\/span> conjunctive uses, climatic cycles, unique requirements for nuclear power stations, economic cycles, population projections, the status of land use and other necessary approvals, and the adoption and implementation of the applicant’s water conservation and management plan. In no case shall a permit be issued for more ground water<\/span> than can be applied to the proposed beneficial use<\/span>.\n\t\tWhen proposed uses of ground water<\/span> are in conflict or when available supplies of ground water<\/span> are insufficient for all who desire to use them, preference shall be given to uses for human consumption, over all others.\n\t\tIn evaluating permit applications, the Board<\/span> shall ensure that the maximum possible safe supply of ground water<\/span> will be preserved and protected for all other beneficial uses<\/span>. The Board<\/span> is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit application evaluation. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.\n\t\tIn evaluating the available ground water<\/span> with respect to permit applications for new or expanded withdrawals in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Areas<\/span>, the Board<\/span> shall use the average of the actual historical ground water<\/span> usage from the inception of the ground water<\/span> withdrawals of a political subdivision or authority operating a ground water<\/span> and surface water conjunctive use system and shall not use the total permit capacity of such system in determining such availability.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCRITERIA FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMITS (\u00a7 62.1-263)\n\nWhen reviewing an application for a permit to withdraw ground water, or an\namendment to a permit, the Board may consider the nature of the proposed\nbeneficial use, the proposed use of alternate or innovative approaches such as\naquifer storage and recovery systems and surface and ground water conjunctive\nuses, climatic cycles, unique requirements for nuclear power stations, economic\ncycles, population projections, the status of land use and other necessary\napprovals, and the adoption and implementation of the applicant’s water\nconservation and management plan. In no case shall a permit be issued for more\nground water than can be applied to the proposed beneficial use.\n\t\tWhen proposed uses of ground water are in conflict or when available supplies\nof ground water are insufficient for all who desire to use them, preference\nshall be given to uses for human consumption, over all others.\n\t\tIn evaluating permit applications, the Board shall ensure that the maximum\npossible safe supply of ground water will be preserved and protected for all\nother beneficial uses. The Board is authorized to utilize and incorporate\ncomprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit\napplication evaluation. Such data may include information relating to water\nlevels, flow rates, and water quality.\n\t\tIn evaluating the available ground water with respect to permit applications\nfor new or expanded withdrawals in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore\nGroundwater Management Areas, the Board shall use the average of the actual\nhistorical ground water usage from the inception of the ground water withdrawals\nof a political subdivision or authority operating a ground water and surface\nwater conjunctive use system and shall not use the total permit capacity of such\nsystem in determining such availability.\n\nHISTORY: 1992, c. 812; 1994, cc. 513, 592; 2024, c. 251.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}