Bullhead City building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Bullhead City, Arizona.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 2355 Trane Road, Bullhead City, AZ 86442
- Phone
- 928-763-0124
- Office hours
- City Hall, 2355 Trane Road, Bullhead City, AZ 86442. Building Division main line 928-763-0124 (fax 928-763-0131); Inspection Requests line 928-763-0172. Development Services Director/Building Official: Saritti "Billy" Chooniyom, CBO (schooniyom@bullheadcityaz.gov). Sr. Plan Review/Administrative Manager: Wendy Lewis (wlewis@bullheadcityaz.gov). Manufactured-home permitting contact: dking@bullheadcityaz.gov. Permit Application Packets are submitted in person or by mail to the Building Division/Planning & Zoning Division at City Hall. Source: City of Bullhead City Building and Renovating page and 2025 AZBO Directory.
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Bullhead City's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Bullhead City — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Arizona has no statewide building code for non-state buildings; codes are adopted locally. According to the International Code Council, codes are adopted locally in Arizona and are predominantly the I-codes, with different cities and counties choosing their own editions and local amendments. The Arizona State Fire Code (adopting the 2018 IFC) applies only to state and county buildings, public and private schools, and non-residential occupancies in areas without a locally adopted fire code — it does not establish a statewide residential or commercial building code floor. Each city and county adopts its own code editions independently, resulting in different I-Code years and amendment sets across jurisdictions. There is no state-mandated minimum edition; enforcement is entirely local. Always confirm the adopted edition and any local amendments with the specific jurisdiction before submitting plans.
- Arizona has NO statewide mandatory building code floor for general construction — code adoption is a per-city/county authority under state enabling statutes (A.R.S. Title 9, §§ 9-831 through 9-840). The City of Bullhead City runs its own Development Services Department / Building Division and independently adopts and administers its own construction codes; it does not defer permitting to Mohave County. Source: City of Bullhead City 'Adopted Building Codes' notice (effective 07/01/2026) and 'Work Exempt From Permits' handout (effective 07/01/2024).
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC), as published by the International Code Council, adopted with local amendments (Bullhead City Municipal Code (BHCMC) Chapter 15.12). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), for one- and two-family dwellings and associated accessory structures, adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.14). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026; City of Bullhead City 2018 IRC Design Criteria sheet, effective 07/01/2024.
- 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association, adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.20) — one edition behind the 2018 ICC code set. Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026. The City Council approved adoption of the 2018-cycle ICC codes and 2017 NEC on 04/16/2024, effective for applications beginning 07/01/2024. Source: Mohave Daily News, 'Bullhead City moves toward updating building codes.'
- 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.28). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.32). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.34). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.22). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.26). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), adopted with local amendments (BHCMC Chapter 15.30). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) is referenced by the City for demolition/fire-safety provisions, but fire code administration in Bullhead City is handled by the Arizona Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety, which has separately adopted the 2024 International Fire Code; contact the Bullhead City Fire Department at (928) 758-3971 / planreview@bullheadfire.org for fire plan review. Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAAG Manual, US Access Board) adopted, no local BHCMC chapter assignment (NA). Source: City of Bullhead City Adopted Building Codes notice, effective 07/01/2026.
- Manufactured homes, factory-built buildings, and park model trailers are separately regulated through the City's intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) for installation, reinspection, additional inspections and extensions (fees per the ADOH Fee Schedule, A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 37, Article 3); the City separately issues Zoning Clearance permits for placement/siting. Source: City of Bullhead City Comprehensive Fee Schedule FY2025-2026, Section A3.40.022.07.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Single Family Dwelling)
Required for new single-family dwelling construction in Bullhead City. Reviewed against the 2018 IRC as adopted by the City (effective 07/01/2024) plus City-specific Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria. Applications are submitted in person/by mail to the Building Division at City Hall, 2355 Trane Road.
Residential Room Addition / Garage / Remodel Permit
Required for room additions, garages, remodels, and similar alterations to existing one- and two-family dwellings in Bullhead City. Reviewed against the 2018 IRC as adopted by the City, with dedicated Room Addition and Garage handouts.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work in Bullhead City, governed by the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by the City. Billed on a flat permit-issuance fee plus an itemized unit-fee schedule (per device/outlet/apparatus/service), not a percentage-of-valuation model.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair work in Bullhead City, governed by the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted by the City. Billed on a flat permit-issuance fee plus an itemized unit-fee schedule.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations in Bullhead City, governed by the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) as adopted by the City. Billed on a flat permit-issuance fee plus an itemized unit-fee schedule per appliance/equipment type.
Re-Roofing Permit
Required for residential and commercial re-roofing in Bullhead City. Governed by the 2018 IBC/IRC roofing provisions; billed by valuation, not a flat fee, under the City's Miscellaneous Valuation Rates.
Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind-Driven Systems Permit
Required for installation of rooftop residential solar photovoltaic and wind-driven energy systems in Bullhead City, governed by the 2017 NEC as adopted by the City. The City publishes a dedicated PV and Wind Driven Systems Handout with the required submittal package.
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of any residential or commercial structure in Bullhead City. Requires prior asbestos NESHAP clearance from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and compliance with 2018 IBC Section 3303 demolition provisions.
Fence and Retaining Wall Permit
Fences and retaining walls in Bullhead City are regulated with limited no-permit exceptions for shorter structures outside zoning setbacks, and full engineering/permit requirements for taller or surcharge-bearing walls.
Swimming Pool and Spa Permit
Required for in-ground and larger above-ground swimming pools and spas in Bullhead City, governed by the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted by the City, with dedicated pool safety/barrier handouts and worksheets.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Installation of an electric vehicle charger (EVSE) at a Bullhead City property is electrical work processed under the standard Electrical Permit — the City's itemized, Uniform Administrative Code-style Comprehensive Fee Schedule (FY2025-2026) has no distinct EV-charger/EVSE line item. A residential EVSE circuit installation is billed as a standard Electrical Permit Issuance plus applicable per-item fees (e.g., a new circuit/outlet or a service upgrade, depending on installation type).
Sign Permit (Commercial/Business Signage)
Required for installation of commercial and business signs in Bullhead City. The City runs two parallel fee tracks for a single sign project: a Planning & Zoning 'Permits for Signs' fee based on sign square footage, and — if the sign is illuminated (outline lighting, marquees, internally lit cabinet signs, etc.) — a Building Division Electrical Permit for the sign's electrical hookup, billed under the standard Electrical Permit unit-fee schedule.
Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm System Permit
Required for installation or modification of automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps, fire alarm/monitoring systems, and related fire-protection equipment in Bullhead City. Bullhead City has its own municipal fire department (Bullhead City Fire Department / Bullhead City Fire District) that performs fire plan review and sets/collects its own fire-code permit fees directly — it does not defer this function to Mohave County or a state agency. Per the Fire Department's own published guidance, the construction permit for fire protection systems in new construction is obtained through the Bullhead City Building Department, while the Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction Division reviews the plans and charges the substantive fee under the Fire District's own Fee Schedule (separate from the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule).
Certificate of Occupancy / Change of Occupancy or Tenant
Bullhead City does not publish a stand-alone 'Change of Use Permit' product or a separately itemized Certificate of Occupancy fee. A change of occupancy classification, tenant, or business use — and the Certificate of Occupancy required before a new or altered building or tenant space may be occupied — are instead handled through two existing City processes depending on whether construction work is involved: the standard Building Division commercial permit (when alteration/construction accompanies the change), or the Planning & Zoning Division's Business License 'change of location' process (when no construction is proposed).
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- 31units
27 buildings · $5.6M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 330units
12 of 12 months reported · #30 in Arizona coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 159units
155 buildings · $32.3M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 273units
268 buildings · $57M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Arizona building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Arizona has no statewide mandatory building code — Bullhead City independently adopts and amends its own construction codes and runs its own Development Services/Building Division program; it does not defer to Mohave County for permitting within city limits.
- Bullhead City runs a full 2018-cycle ICC code suite (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IEBC, IECC, ISPSC) — one cycle behind the 2024 codes some other Arizona cities have adopted — plus the 2017 NEC (also one cycle behind), all effective for applications beginning 07/01/2024 per City Council approval on 04/16/2024.
- Fee model is fundamentally different from valuation-percentage cities like Buckeye: electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits use a flat issuance fee ($26.48, $8.18 supplemental) plus itemized per-unit/device/fixture charges from a published Unit/System Fee Schedule, while building/roofing/demolition/pool permits use the City's own graduated Valuation Fee table (Section A3.40.021.02) fed by Building Valuation Rates (per sq ft by occupancy/construction type) and Miscellaneous Valuation Rates (e.g., $40.73/sq ft residential additions, $32.72/sq ft pools, $17.46/sq ft retaining walls).
- The City's A.R.S. § 9-835 mandated review timeframe (revised March 2026) is 60 working days combined: 15 working days Administrative Completeness Review + 45 working days Substantive Review, with the clock suspended during any correction-response period. This is notably longer than some AZ cities' review windows.
- Per A.R.S. § 9-470.01(A)(1)&(2), if the City can't complete review/response within 15 business days, an applicant may (under specific conditions) engage a City-approved third-party plan reviewer at their own cost — this statutory relief valve is explicitly documented in the City's own timeline guide.
- Climatic/geographic design criteria (2018 IRC): 115 mph ultimate/90 mph basic design wind speed (Exposure C), Seismic Design Category B, 39°F winter design temperature, moderate-to-heavy termite potential, 0 ground snow load, IECC Climate Zone 3B Hot-Dry.
- Narrow no-permit exemptions exist for: detached accessory structures ≤120 sq ft (6 ft clearance, no utilities); fences ≤6 ft outside setbacks; retaining walls ≤4 ft outside setbacks with no surcharge; prefab pools <18 in deep and <8 ft wide; decks ≤30 in above grade with no roof; and various minor repair/portable-appliance categories across electrical/gas/mechanical/plumbing trades.
- No dedicated flat fee for re-roofing, general demolition, or residential solar PV was found in the FY2025-2026 Comprehensive Fee Schedule — these are billed through the same general valuation-based Building Permit Fee table (roofing/demolition) or the standard Electrical Permit unit-fee schedule (PV), respectively, rather than a jurisdiction-specific flat dollar figure.
- Bullhead City is the first Mohave County jurisdiction added to PermitBase.
- The 2025 AZBO Directory-listed adopted codes (2018 I-Codes, 2017 NEC) were independently verified as still current via the City's own 'Adopted Building Codes' notice (effective 07/01/2026) and 'Work Exempt From Permits' handout (effective 07/01/2024) — the directory entry was accurate and did not need correction.
- Manufactured homes/factory-built buildings/park trailers are handled through a City Zoning Clearance ($100-$245 depending on accessory structures) plus a separate ADOH intergovernmental-agreement installation fee set annually by the Arizona Department of Housing (A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 37, Article 3) rather than by the City's own fee schedule.