(1) Unless expressly exempted by law or District rule, a water use permit must be obtained from the District prior to any use, withdrawal, or diversion of water.
    (2) A water user shall obtain one permit for all withdrawals that are intended to serve contiguous property. Two or more properties represented to be separate properties shall be aggregated and treated as a single property for permitting purposes when the District determines that the properties are physically proximate and either (a) share the same irrigation infrastructure or (b) are operated as a common enterprise. However, when multiple use types, as defined in Fl. Admin. Code R. 40B-2.501, are served by separate withdrawal facilities, the District is authorized to issue separate individual permits.
    (3) An individual permit is required for any use of water that is non-exempt pursuant to Fl. Admin. Code R. 40B-2.051, and does not qualify for a General Permit by Rule pursuant to subsections (8) and (9) below.
    (4) Either the Executive Director or the Assistant Executive Director may approve individual permit applications without a hearing, except:
    (a) Any application recommended for denial shall be presented to the Governing Board for final agency action;
    (b) All beverage processing regardless of the quantity of the withdrawal or diversion; or
    (c) Withdrawals or diversions which are greater than or equal to one million gallons per day average daily rate of withdrawal.
    (5)