§ 1538 Unauthorized Water Use Penalties

Water Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

Key Takeaways

•If you use water without permission, you might have to pay extra money.
•The extra money is like the fees you would have paid if you had asked for permission first.
•This rule is for people who take or use water they shouldn’t.

Example

A farmer takes water from a river to water crops but never gets a permit.

The farmer will have to pay the fees they would have paid if they had asked for permission to use the water in the first place.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1538 Unauthorized Water Use Penalties

In any proceeding pursuant to Section 1052 in which it is determined that there has been a violation of the prohibition against the unauthorized diversion or use of water subject to this division, the board or court, as the case may be, may impose an additional liability in the amount of any annual fees that would have been required under this division if the diversion or use had been authorized by a permit or license to appropriate water. (Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 741, Sec. 85. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

unauthorized diversion or use of water additional liability annual fees permit or license to appropriate water

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Water Code. Section 1538.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References