Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Bullhead City, Arizona

Fences up to 6 feet high located outside zoning setback areas do not require a building permit. Fences acting as a swimming pool barrier must still meet ICC Swimming Pool and Spa Code barrier standards regardless of this exemption, and any fence built in a recorded easement needs a separate City Encroachment permit.

In Bullhead City, the published Permits for Fences (Planning & Zoning), fences up to 6' maximum height is: $82.50 per permit. Additional published fees: Retaining Wall (Building Permit Valuation) — Per the graduated Valuation Fee table (Section A3.40.021.02), using the Retaining Wall Miscellaneous Valuation Rate of $17.46 per square foot; Block Fence Greater Than Six Feet (Miscellaneous Valuation Rate) — $4.36 per square foot; Encroachment Permit (fence/wall in recorded easement) — $100 per permit. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Bullhead City's published plan-review target for a fence and retaining wall permit is 45–60 business days.

You'll need: Fence and Block Wall Handout; Retaining Wall Handout; Permit Application (rev. 09/2022). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Bullhead City requires 2 inspection(s) for a fence and retaining wall permit, in order: Footing, Final. Schedule each through City of Bullhead City Development Services Department — Building Division (928-763-0124).

Apply through City of Bullhead City Development Services Department — Building Division at 2355 Trane Road, Bullhead City, AZ 86442. Phone: 928-763-0124, email: schooniyom@bullheadcityaz.gov. 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.. Official information: https://www.bullheadcityaz.gov/business-development/building-and-renovating/.

Bullhead City, Arizona has adopted: 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.. Local amendments apply — see the Bullhead City overview page for the full list.

Only if it supports a surcharge. Retaining walls that do not support a surcharge may use the City's standard detail; walls supporting a surcharge must be designed by an Arizona-licensed design professional to meet 2018 IBC Section 1806. Walls outside zoning setbacks under 4 feet (footing to top of wall) with no surcharge are exempt from a permit entirely.