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Swimming Pool and Spa Permit in Bullhead City, Arizona

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.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Building permit required for swimming pools and spas, except prefabricated pools holding less than 18 inches of water and less than 8 feet wide at any point (exempt from a permit)
  • Governed by the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted by the City (BHCMC Chapter 15.30)
  • Pool Barrier Checklist Agreement must be completed and a pool safety handout reviewed per the City's Swimming Pool Handout and Pool Safety Handout
  • Pool Heater Worksheet required if a pool/spa heater is included in scope

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet0 of 3 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29

Fee schedule

Swimming Pool (Miscellaneous Valuation Rate)City of Bullhead City Comprehensive Fee Schedule FY2025-2026, Section A3.40.021.01, Miscellaneous Valuation Rates; fed into the graduated Valuation Fee table (Section A3.40.021.02)
$32.72 per square foot
Above-ground pool, greater than 42 inches in heightCity of Bullhead City Comprehensive Fee Schedule FY2025-2026, Section A3.40.021.01
$21.81 per square foot
Above-ground pool, less than 42 inches in heightCity of Bullhead City Comprehensive Fee Schedule FY2025-2026, Section A3.40.021.01
$79.20 each

Review timeline

Plan reviewBullhead City’s published plan-review target
45–60 business days

How long did your Swimming Pool and Spa Permit permit actually take in Bullhead City?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Pre-Gunite/Excavation

    Steel and plumbing rough-in verified before gunite/shotcrete placement

  2. 2

    Pool Barrier

    Verifies compliance with the City's Pool Barrier Checklist Agreement and ISPSC barrier requirements before the pool holds water accessible to the public/occupants

  3. 3

    Final

    Equipment, deck, and barrier fully complete and verified

See the full Bullhead City inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Prefabricated pools holding less than 18 inches of water and under 8 feet wide are exempt from a permit under the City's 'Work Exempt From Permits' list — deeper or larger portable/storable pools do require a permit and should follow the Storable Pool Handout.
  • The Pool Barrier Checklist Agreement is a signed compliance document distinct from the general Swimming Pool Handout submittal checklist — both are required.
  • Above-ground pools are fee-differentiated by height (42-inch threshold): taller units are billed per square foot, shorter units at a flat $79.20 each.

Frequently asked questions

Prefabricated pools holding less than 18 inches of water and under 8 feet wide at any point are exempt from a building permit. Larger or deeper above-ground pools require a permit, billed at $21.81 per square foot (over 42 inches tall) or a flat $79.20 each (42 inches or less), per the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule.

In Bullhead City, the published Swimming Pool (Miscellaneous Valuation Rate) is: $32.72 per square foot. Additional published fees: Above-ground pool, greater than 42 inches in height — $21.81 per square foot; Above-ground pool, less than 42 inches in height — $79.20 each. 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 swimming pool and spa permit is 45–60 business days.

You'll need: Swimming Pool Handout; Pool Barrier Checklist Agreement; Pool Safety Handout. Depending on your project, Bullhead City may also ask for: Pool Heater Worksheet; Storable Pool Handout. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Bullhead City requires 3 inspection(s) for a swimming pool and spa permit, in order: Pre-Gunite/Excavation, Pool Barrier, 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.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Bullhead City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.