California Mining Claim Guide
2026 BLM Regulations, Fees, and Sacramento Filing Info
⚡ Quick Facts
State: California
BLM Office: Sacramento
2026 Filing Deadline: September 2, 2026
Maintenance Fee: $200 per claim
📞 BLM California State Office
Address:
Bureau of Land Management - California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825-1886
Bureau of Land Management - California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825-1886
Phone: 916-978-4400
Information Access Center: 916-978-4400
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
💰 2026 Fees & Deadlines
Annual Maintenance Fees
- $200 per lode claim, tunnel site, or mill site
- $200 per 20 acres (or portion thereof) for placer claims
Critical Deadline
September 2, 2026 - Maintenance fees or Small Miner's Waiver must be filed/postmarked by this date.
⚠️ Special California Requirements
In addition to BLM filing, California law requires you to file a Notice of Intent to Hold or Affidavit of Assessment Work with the County Recorder where the claim is located.
- Deadline: Same as Federal (Sept 1), but check specific county recording delays.
- Backfilling: California has strict backfilling laws for open pits. Ensure compliance with SMARA (Surface Mining and Reclamation Act).
- Suction Dredging: Currently heavily restricted/banned in many California waterways. Check with CDFW before using any motorized equipment in water.
🏔️ Famous Gold Regions
Mother Lode
- El Dorado County
- Amador County
- Calaveras County
- Tuolumne County
- Mariposa County
Northern Mines
- Shasta County
- Trinity County
- Siskiyou County
- Sierra County
- Plumas County
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