Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
928-757-0903 (Building, Planning and Zoning); 928-757-0904 (inspection request line); 928-758-0707 (Bullhead City office); 928-347-4904 (Beaver Dam office)
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Mohave County Development Services Department, Building Division (unincorporated county jurisdiction) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 928-757-0903 (Building, Planning and Zoning); 928-757-0904 (inspection request line); 928-758-0707 (Bullhead City office); 928-347-4904 (Beaver Dam office).
For one- and two-family residential, manufactured-home, addition, modification and accessory-structure applications, administrative completeness review is 10 working days and substantive review is 20 working days, for a stated 30-working-day overall review period. Incomplete applications pause the clock while corrections are supplied; written/electronic extensions may be agreed up to 25% of the overall period.
Use the county’s SmartGov permitting portal or call the inspection request line at 928-757-0904; gas inspections require the permit number and a 10-psi/15-minute test setup. Inspectors normally work in the field 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; permit packages and approved plans should be clearly available on site. The county’s permit guidance says one- or two-day notice is usually needed for visits.
Mohave County Ordinance 2021-03, revised 02/02/2026, applies in unincorporated county areas and adopts the 2018 International Building, Residential, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Property Maintenance, Swimming Pool and Spa, and Energy Conservation Codes, plus the 2017 National Electrical Code, with local amendments. 2018 IBC R105.2 exemptions include detached one-story accessory sheds/playhouses up to 300 square feet without utilities; fences and block walls up to 7 feet; retaining walls up to 4 feet unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids; certain grade-level tanks, sidewalks/driveways, finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops, small above-ground pools, playground equipment, limited awnings, movable fixtures/partitions, residential-storage shipping containers without utilities, same-material residential reroofs, and limited roof-decking replacement. Minor electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing repairs are also exempt, including residential tank-style water-heater replacement; all other rules and ordinances still apply.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.