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 construction, and the city sets its own zoning rather than Mohave County.12 City code makes private septic systems unlawful except where its sewage section allows them, and Mohave County Environmental Quality handles the septic and well side for the county.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 construction1
Building code
2018 International Residential Code with local revisions6
Zoning
City zoning by district (R1L, R1FB, R1MH, RP and others)2
Septic
Private systems unlawful except where the city sewage code allows them3
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

[email protected]

700 W. Beale Street, Kingman, AZ 86401

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 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 also collects plan-review, permit and development or impact fees under the city's fee schedule; ask the Building Division for a quote on your project.9

Mohave County's building permits do not apply here. The county's building safety code covers only unincorporated land.10

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

The Bullhead City Building Division in City Hall issues building permits and inspections inside city limits.11 Zoning questions go to the Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Division.12 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.13

We could not confirm whether the city issues a certificate of occupancy for every new home or exempts owner-builders; ask the Building Division before you plan on either.

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.14 In the RP residential park district, each manufactured-home space needs at least 3000 square feet and 36 feet of width.15

RVs may not serve as a permanent dwelling unit or be occupied as one in Bullhead City.5 We could not confirm a citywide rule for tiny homes; 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.3 Where a private system is allowed, it must be approved and permitted under Arizona Department of Environmental Quality rules or, where applicable, under Mohave County requirements.16 Mohave County Environmental Quality handles septic and well permitting under authority delegated by the state.417

Because septic is not a city-permit matter, a building permit from the city does not replace a septic approval. We could not confirm a city septic inspection requirement; confirm with the county.

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

Septic and well permitting stay with Mohave County Environmental Quality, 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.18

Building a home in Bullhead City: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm with Planning and Zoning which district your lot is in and what it allows.12
  2. Check that city sewer reaches the parcel, since private septic is restricted inside the city.3
  3. Apply to the Building Division for a building permit against the 2018 International Residential Code.116
  4. If a private system or well is involved, contact Mohave County Environmental Quality first.17
  5. Schedule inspections through the Building Division as work proceeds.11

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, 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.18

Sources

  1. Bullhead City Code § 15.04.030—Building permit required; fees (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Bullhead City Code § 17.12.020—R1L permitted 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. Building Division | Mohave County, quoted and re-checked
  11. Bullhead City Building Division (bullheadcity.com)
  12. Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Division (bullheadcity.com)
  13. Bullhead City Code § 17.14.070—Factory-built home installation permit (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  14. Bullhead City Code § 17.16.080—Manufactured-home installation (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  15. Bullhead City Code § 17.36.030—RP density (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Bullhead City Code § 13.08.020—Private sewage systems (Bullhead City), quoted and re-checked
  17. Mohave County Environmental Quality (Septic & Well Permitting) (mohave.gov)
  18. Planning & Zoning Division | Mohave County, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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 when a permit is required by city code.

    • Permit must be obtained before construction; building official collects applicable plan-review, permit, development/impact, and other applicable fees.
    “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)

    Residential construction inside Bullhead City limits.

    • The adopted 2018 IRC includes listed appendices and local revisions.

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

    “The 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code, copyrighted by International Code Council, Inc., shall be adopted including Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix G, Appendix H, Appendix J, Appendix K, Appendix M, Appendix N, Appendix O and Appendix P, except as revised as follows:”
  • 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:”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bullhead City limits, including the R1L residential zoning district.

    • The cited provision applies to the R1L district.
    “The following uses are permitted outright in the R1L district:”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only

    Recreational vehicles inside Bullhead City limits.

    • This is the city definition of recreational vehicle; temporary construction-related RV use is separately governed by § 17.06.270.
    “Such recreational vehicles 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 permitLimited

    Properties inside Bullhead City limits seeking construction or installation permits with private sewage disposal.

    • For multiple-family, commercial, or industrial property, public sewer availability satisfies the condition; otherwise a private system must be ADEQ-approved and permitted or, where applicable, meet Mohave County Health Department delegated requirements.
    “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.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term and vacation rentals inside Bullhead City limits.

    • City regulation is in addition to other city codes; this source does not establish the chapter's particular permit and operating conditions.
    “This chapter is adopted pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-500.39 to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community of City of Bullhead City ("city") by enacting reasonable regulations for short-term and vacation rentals.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Construction permits inside Bullhead City limits.

    • Applicable fees may include plan-review, permit, development/impact, and other fees imposed by the current comprehensive city fee schedule, 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.”

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 (R1L conventionally constructed single-family dwelling)

    “Each 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 Bullhead City's RP Residential Park district.

    • Both story and height limits apply.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (RP buildings) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (RP buildings)

    “The height of the buildings within the park shall not exceed two stories nor thirty-five feet.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Manufactured, mobile, and modular homes in Bullhead City's R1MH Residential Single-Family Manufactured Home district.

    • Driveway is a condition before city certificate of compliance; it must be asphalt, concrete, or gravel.

    minimum driveway width: >= 12 feet (R1MH manufactured/mobile/modular-home installation)

    “A driveway not less than twelve feet in width constructed of asphalt, concrete or gravel;”

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-built residential construction inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — New residential construction inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes used as dwellings inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Septic inspection — Private sewage disposal systems inside Bullhead City limits.
  • Well permit — Wells serving land inside Bullhead City limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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