Bolthole Index

Mohave County, Arizona

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Bullhead City, Arizona

Bullhead City, Arizona requires a building permit from the city's building official before covered construction, and the city sets its own zoning rather than Mohave County.12 City code treats private septic as the exception and requires new residential development to connect to city sewer; Mohave County handles septic and well permitting where a private system is allowed.34 Recreational vehicles cannot serve as a permanent dwelling inside city limits.5

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the Bullhead City building official before covered construction1
Building code
2018 International Residential Code with local revisions6
Zoning
City zoning by district; Mohave County zoning does not apply inside the city2
Septic
Private systems unlawful except where city code allows; new residential development needs city sewer3
RV living
Not allowed as a permanent dwelling5
Minimum home size (R1L)
672 square feet of livable floor area7
Wells
State well notice (Form DWR 55-40) before drilling8

Who to call

Building permits

Bullhead City Building Division

Building permits and inspections inside Bullhead City limits

Planning & zoning

Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Division

Zoning, rezoning, subdivisions, variances and setback and zoning information inside Bullhead City

Septic permits

Mohave County Environmental Quality (Septic & Well Permitting)

Septic (on-site wastewater) system permits under authority delegated by ADEQ; applies where city code allows a private system

928-757-0903

eqpermits@mohave.gov

700 W. Beale Street, Kingman, AZ 86401

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Bullhead City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Bullhead City, Arizona?

Yes. Bullhead City code requires a building permit from the city's building official before any construction that the code covers begins.1 The city enforces the 2018 International Residential Code with local revisions, so plans are reviewed against that edition.6 The building official may require proof of other governmental inspections, testing or reviews before issuing a permit, and failing to comply with codes or permit conditions voids the permit.9 Plan-review, permit and development or impact fees follow the city's fee schedule; ask the Building Division for a quote on your project.10

Mohave County's building permits do not apply here. The county's building safety code covers only unincorporated land.11

Who issues building permits in Bullhead City, and how do you reach them?

The Bullhead City Building Division issues building permits and inspections inside city limits.12 Zoning questions go to the Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Division.13 Factory-built homes in the R1FB district get an inspection from the development services director after the permit is issued and the home is placed on the lot.14

We could not confirm whether the city exempts owner-builders from building permits; ask the Building Division before you plan on it.9

Does Bullhead City have zoning, and what does it mean for homes and RVs?

Yes. Bullhead City zones land inside its limits by district, and each district has its own permitted uses.2 In the R1L single-family district, a conventionally built house must have at least 672 square feet of livable floor area.7 Manufactured homes in the R1MH district need a driveway at least 12 feet wide before the city issues a certificate of compliance.15 In the RP residential park district, each manufactured-home space needs at least 3000 square feet and 36 feet of width, and park buildings are capped at 35 feet and 2 stories.1617

RVs may not serve as a permanent dwelling unit or be occupied as one in Bullhead City, though temporary construction-related use may be permitted.5 Short-term and vacation rentals are regulated under a separate city chapter in addition to other city codes.18 We could not confirm a citywide rule for tiny homes, subdivision or agricultural uses; ask Planning and Zoning which district your lot is in before you buy.

How do septic permits work in Bullhead City?

Inside Bullhead City, private septic is the exception. City code makes it unlawful to construct or maintain a privy, septic tank, cesspool or similar facility except as the sewage section allows, and new residential development requires city sewer to each parcel.3 For multiple-family, commercial and industrial property, the city issues a construction or installation permit only if public sewer is available or a private system is approved under Arizona Department of Environmental Quality rules or, where applicable, Mohave County Health Department requirements.19 Mohave County handles septic and well permitting under authority delegated by the state.420

Where city sewer is available, customers must accept city utility services when a certificate of occupancy issues, and existing private-sewage properties must connect within 90 days of city notice.21 A certificate of occupancy for a property on a private system carries an express condition tied to that system.22 We could not confirm a septic inspection requirement inside the city; confirm with the county.

What stays with Mohave County when you build in Bullhead City?

Septic and well permitting stay with Mohave County, not the city.4 Anyone drilling, deepening or replacing a well outside an Active Management Area must file Arizona Department of Water Resources Form DWR 55-40 beforehand.8 We could not confirm a separate city well permit; ask the city before you drill.

The county's zoning, building permit and RV rules apply only to unincorporated Mohave County. If your parcel has a Bullhead City address but sits outside city limits, check with Mohave County Development Services on which jurisdiction applies.23

How do you build a home in Bullhead City, step by step?

  1. Confirm with Planning and Zoning which district your lot is in and what it allows.13
  2. Check that city sewer reaches the parcel, since new residential development requires it.3
  3. Apply to the Building Division for a building permit against the 2018 International Residential Code.126
  4. If a private system or well is involved, contact Mohave County Environmental Quality first.20
  5. Schedule inspections through the Building Division as work proceeds, and expect to accept city utilities at the certificate of occupancy.1221

Watch-outs

  • Recreational vehicles cannot be occupied as a permanent dwelling in Bullhead City, so buying a lot to live in an RV does not work inside city limits.5
  • Private septic systems are generally unlawful inside Bullhead City and new residential development requires city sewer, so confirm sewer access before buying a lot.3
  • Mohave County's unincorporated-land rules do not apply inside the city; confirm whether a parcel is inside city limits before relying on either set of rules.23

Sources

  1. Bullhead City Code § 15.04.030—Building permit required; fees (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Bullhead City Code § 17.06.270, Temporary buildings, structures and uses (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Bullhead City Code § 13.08.020—Private sewage systems (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic & Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  5. Bullhead City Code § 17.04.610, Recreational vehicle (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Bullhead City Code § 15.14.010, International Residential Code (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Bullhead City Code § 17.12.020, R1L permitted uses (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Well Drilling in Arizona, quoted and re-checked
  9. Bullhead City Code § 15.04.030, Building permit—Required—Fees (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  10. Bullhead City Code § 15.04.030, Building permit—Required—Fees (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Division | Mohave County, quoted and re-checked
  12. Bullhead City Building Division (bullheadcity.com)
  13. Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Division (bullheadcity.com)
  14. Bullhead City Code § 17.14.070—Factory-built home installation permit (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  15. Bullhead City Code § 17.16.080—Manufactured-home installation (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Bullhead City Code § 17.36.030—RP density (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  17. Bullhead City Code § 17.36.030, RP density (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  18. Bullhead City Code § 5.40.010, Short-term and vacation rentals—Purpose (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  19. Bullhead City Code § 13.08.020, Private sewage systems (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  20. Mohave County Environmental Quality (Septic & Well Permitting) (mohave.gov)
  21. Bullhead City Code § 13.07.050, When utility service is required (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  22. Bullhead City Code § 13.08.020, Private sewage systems (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  23. Planning & Zoning Division | Mohave County, quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Bullhead City

Bullhead City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction inside Bullhead City limits for which a permit is required under the City code.

    • Permit must be obtained before commencing covered construction.
    • Applicable fees are collected by the building official.
    “Prior to commencing any construction for which a building permit is required under this code, a building permit shall be obtained from the building official.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction inside Bullhead City limits when a permit is required by city code.
      “Prior to commencing any construction for which a building permit is required under this code, a building permit shall be obtained from the building official.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    One- and two-family residential construction inside Bullhead City limits.

    • The adopted 2018 IRC includes the listed appendices except as revised by the City section.

    code edition: 2018 International Residential Code (Including listed appendices except as revised)

    “The 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code [...] shall be adopted”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Factory-built homes installed in the R1FB Residential Single-Family Factory-Built district inside Bullhead City.

    • After permit issuance and placement, applicant must request an inspection; inspection confirms compliance with easement, lot-coverage, setback, and visible-address requirements.
    “Upon issuance of a permit and placement of the home on the lot, the applicant shall request an inspection from the development services director to confirm compliance with the requirements set forth below:”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy for multiple-family residential, commercial, or industrial property using a private sewage disposal system inside Bullhead City limits.

    • The certificate is subject to the private-sewage-system condition required by City Code § 13.08.020(C)(5).
    “who utilizes a private sewage disposal system shall be subject to the express condition and requirement”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bullhead City limits.

    • Temporary uses remain subject to the provisions listed in City Code § 17.06.270.
    “Temporary buildings, structures and/or uses are permitted in any zoning district, in accordance with the provisions listed below.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Permanent dwelling occupancy of recreational vehicles inside Bullhead City limits.

    • This claim concerns permanent-dwelling occupancy; temporary construction-related use may be permitted under § 17.06.270.
    “shall not be considered as a permanent dwelling unit nor occupied as such”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems serving property inside Bullhead City limits.

    • City controls construction/install permits; multiple-family, commercial, and industrial private systems must be approved and permitted under ADEQ rules or, where applicable, Mohave County Health Department requirements under ADEQ's delegation agreement.
    “Construction and installation permits which are applied for on properties zoned for multiple-family residential, commercial or industrial uses, shall only be issued by the city if: a.) Public sanitary sewer is available to connect and serve the property on which the construction or installation will occur; or b.) A private sewage disposal system is available to serve the property which is approved and permitted under the rules, regulations and requirements of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), or, if applicable, under the terms, conditions, and requirements of the Mohave County Health Department pursuant to the delegation agreement concluded between ADEQ and the county of Mohave.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems serving multiple-family residential, commercial, or industrial property inside Bullhead City limits.

    • A City construction/installation permit issues only when public sewer is available or a private system is available and approved/permitted by ADEQ or, if applicable, Mohave County Health Department under the ADEQ delegation agreement.
    “Construction and installation permits which are applied for on properties zoned for multiple-family residential, commercial or industrial uses, shall only be issued by the city if: a.) Public sanitary sewer is available to connect and serve the property on which the construction or installation will occur; or b.) A private sewage disposal system is available to serve the property which is approved and permitted under the rules, regulations and requirements of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), or, if applicable, under the terms, conditions, and requirements of the Mohave County Health Department pursuant to the delegation agreement concluded between ADEQ and the county of Mohave.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal inside Bullhead City limits.

    • Private sewage facilities are generally unlawful except as provided in § 13.08.020; new residential development requires city sewer to each parcel; permitted private systems must meet the stated state/county approval conditions.
    “Except as provided in this section, it is unlawful to construct or maintain within the city any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential and non-residential structures inside Bullhead City limits where City utility service is available.

    • Customers must accept available City utility services upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
    • Existing private-sewage properties must connect within 90 days of City notification when sewer is available under § 13.08.020(D).
    “Customers shall accept all city utility services that are available”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term and vacation rentals inside Bullhead City limits.

    • City Code Chapter 5.40 regulates short-term and vacation rentals in addition to other City codes.
    “by enacting reasonable regulations for short-term and vacation rentals”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Bullhead City limits.

    • The building official collects applicable plan-review, permit, development/impact, and other fees imposed by the current comprehensive fee schedule, other code provisions, or contract.
    “The building official shall collect all applicable fees including plan review fees, permit fees, development or impact fees for construction, and other fees which may be imposed according to the current comprehensive fee schedule of the city, separate code provisions, or by contract.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Covered construction permit applications inside Bullhead City limits.

    • For covered construction, a permit must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The building official may require proof of other governmental inspections, testing, or reviews as a condition of issuance.
    • Noncompliance with codes or conditions voids the permit.
    “Failure by the applicant to comply with any codes or conditions will void the permit.”

Rules another office applies inside Bullhead City

Bullhead City does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Conventionally constructed single-family dwellings in Bullhead City's R1L Residential Single-Family Limited District.

    • Applies to conventionally constructed single-family dwellings.

    minimum livable floor area: >= 672 square feet (Conventionally constructed single-family dwelling)

    “shall not be less than six hundred seventy-two square feet of livable floor area”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Manufactured-home spaces in Bullhead City's RP Residential Park district.

    • Applies to manufactured-home spaces in a park.

    minimum manufactured-home space area: >= 3000 square feet (RP manufactured-home space) · minimum manufactured-home space width: >= 36 feet (RP manufactured-home space)

    “Each manufactured home space shall have an area of not less than three thousand square feet and a width of not less than thirty-six feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings within a park in Bullhead City's RP Residential Park District.

    • Both the two-story and 35-foot maximums apply.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Buildings within the park) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (Buildings within the park)

    “shall not exceed two stories nor thirty-five feet”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Manufactured, mobile, and modular home installations in Bullhead City's R1MH district.

    • Requirement is a prerequisite to the certificate of compliance.
    • Driveway may be asphalt, concrete, or gravel.

    minimum driveway width: >= 12 feet (Must be asphalt, concrete, or gravel)

    “A driveway not less than twelve feet in width”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bullhead City or Mohave County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Septic inspection — Private septic systems inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural uses and construction inside Bullhead City limits.
1 more unanswered
  • Subdividing land

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Bullhead City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Mohave County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Mohave County: county rules, score and offices