Mohave County covers more than 13,000 square miles of northwestern Arizona — the Colorado River at Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City, up through Kingman and Golden Valley, out to the Utah and Nevada state lines. It's one of the largest counties in Arizona, and it runs its own building code, entirely separate from what Maricopa or Pima County requires.
The first thing worth knowing, before anything else: Mohave County makes a real, specific distinction between a plot plan (residential) and a site plan (commercial), and they're not the same document with different names — they're genuinely different formats with different requirements.
Build My Mohave County Plot Plan
Plot Plan vs. Site Plan, Precisely
A plot plan covers residential projects — an 8½"×11" drawing attached to your permit application, showing property boundary dimensions with angles and exact distances, every existing and proposed structure, setbacks in all four directions, utility and drainage easements, septic tank and leach field location, a true north arrow, and every adjacent street with a complete address. One detail that surprises people: the plot plan has to show all of this even if it isn't drawn to scale — accuracy of information matters more than proportional drawing here.
A site plan covers commercial projects — considerably more detailed, and it must be sealed by a licensed Arizona professional engineer or architect, maxing out at 36"×36" folded down to roughly 9"×12".
If you're building a shed, a pool, or an addition on a residential lot, you want the plot plan. If you're building commercial, you need the sealed site plan — no way around that second requirement.
What Your Residential Plot Plan Needs
Property information: property lines with angles and exact distances, true north arrow, adjacent streets, complete address, and your Assessor's Parcel Number.
Structures: every existing structure with exact size and type (Mohave County's own guidance gives examples like "24' × 36' Garage" or "28' × 60' 3 Bedroom Mobile Home"), every proposed structure the same way, distance from each structure to every property line, and distance between structures.
Utilities and easements: septic tank and leach line location with distances to structures, every easement with size and type, location of any domestic wells, and required off-street parking.
Accessory structures: location and dimensions of garages, sheds, and workshops, with distance shown between a primary residence and any separate accessory residence.
Setbacks — Section 35 of the Zoning Ordinance
Setbacks depend on your parcel's zoning classification. As a general reference:
| Zone | Front | Side | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Dd (1 acre) | 35 ft | 15 ft | 5 ft |
| Various zones (5 acre) | 35 ft | 15 ft | 5 ft |
| Accessory residences | Varies by zone | Varies by zone | 5 ft |
| Accessory structures | Varies by zone | Varies by zone | 5 ft |
| Buildings 61'–100' tall | 25 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft |
| Corner lots (street side) | — | 10 ft | — |
A few specific notes worth flagging: distance between dwellings on the same lot facing front-to-front must be 20 feet minimum. A 10-foot rear yard setback applies specifically for mobile or manufactured homes. And for lots under half an acre, an accessory residence must be attached to the primary structure and share the same roofline — it can't stand alone. Always verify your parcel's actual zoning classification through the Mohave County Public Map Viewer before finalizing anything.
Do You Even Need a Permit?
| Project Type | Permit Required? |
|---|---|
| New buildings | Yes |
| Room additions | Yes |
| Decks over 30 inches high | Yes |
| Garages | Yes |
| Fences | Yes — height restrictions apply |
| Pools and spas | Yes |
| Sheds under 300 sq ft, no utilities | No |
| Detached decks under 30" and under 300 sq ft | No |
If you're unsure, Mohave County runs a "Do I Need a Permit?" wizard, or you can call Development Services directly at (928) 757-0903.
ADU Requirements Worth Knowing
Accessory dwelling units are permitted in Mohave County, subject to the base zone's setbacks, with a minimum 120 square feet of habitable living room, a separate full bathroom, and separate kitchen facilities. A second septic system requires a minimum lot size of 26,500 square feet. For lots under half an acre, the ADU has to attach to the primary structure rather than standing separately.
Pool Requirements
Every pool needs a permit, with the barrier/fence location, height, and gate details shown directly on your plot plan. Setbacks run 5 feet from property lines, 20 feet from septic systems, and 50 feet from wells — the septic and well distances catch people off guard more than the property line setback does.
Incorporated Cities Follow Their Own Rules — Not the County's
If your property sits inside Kingman, Bullhead City, or Lake Havasu City limits, you follow that specific city's building department — not Mohave County's process.
| Jurisdiction | Building Department | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Mohave County | Mohave County Development Services | (928) 757-0903 |
| Kingman | City of Kingman Development Services | (928) 753-8130 |
| Bullhead City | City of Bullhead City Building Department | (928) 763-9400 |
| Lake Havasu City | City of Lake Havasu City Building Safety | (928) 854-0733 |
Kingman transitioned to the SmartGov online portal effective May 1, 2026 for all building permit applications — worth knowing if you were expecting the older submission process.
Nearby Counties
If your address falls just outside Mohave County, check Coconino County to the east, Yavapai County to the south, or La Paz County further south along the Colorado River — coverage and requirements differ across each.
Fees Worth Budgeting For
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Site Plan Application (commercial) | $640, covers first two reviews |
| Additional review beyond two | $150 |
| Grading Permit Deposit | $75 |
| Floodplain Fee | $50, if applicable |
| Manufactured Home permit | $650, includes 3 inspections |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of building permit fee |
| Minimum Inspection Fee | $65 |
Building permit fees themselves are valuation-based — up to $500 runs a flat $21.60, with additional tiers scaling from there. Fees are subject to change; confirm current numbers with Development Services directly.
Building Your Plot Plan From a Real Mohave County Address
Enter your address, review the property lines pulled directly from Mohave County parcel data, add your project, and generate setbacks matching Section 35 requirements for your specific zone. Export a clean, accurately labeled PDF — sized correctly for the county's 8½"×11" residential format.
What This Doesn't Replace
This produces a preliminary, conceptual plot plan for planning and permit prep. It is not a legal boundary survey, a sealed commercial site plan, an Arizona-licensed engineer's or architect's stamp, and not a guarantee of approval. Commercial projects requiring the sealed 36"×36" site plan format need a licensed Arizona professional directly — that requirement doesn't change based on which tool you started with.
FAQ
Do I need a licensed surveyor for a plot plan in Mohave County?
No, for most residential permits — decks, fences, pools, sheds, ADUs, additions. A licensed survey is generally only required for boundary disputes, subdivisions, or commercial site plans requiring a sealed drawing.
What size does my plot plan need to be?
Residential plot plans must be 8½"×11". Commercial site plans can run up to 36"×36", folded to roughly 9"×12".
Does my plot plan need to be drawn exactly to scale?
Not necessarily — Mohave County's own guidance states the plot plan must show accurate information even if it isn't drawn to scale. Construction plans themselves, though, need a standard architectural scale not less than 1/8"=1' on minimum 18"×24" paper.
How long does plan review take in Mohave County?
Residential review timing varies by workload. Commercial review runs 15 working days per submittal, whether it's an initial submission or a revision.
Do I need a permit for a shed in Mohave County?
No, if it's freestanding, under 300 square feet, and has no utilities. Over 300 square feet requires a permit and plot plan.
Do I need a permit for a deck?
Yes, if it's over 30 inches above grade. Decks under 30 inches and under 300 square feet may be exempt.
What codes does Mohave County use?
The 2018 International Codes (IRC, IBC, IPC, IMC, IFC, IECC) with the 2017 National Electrical Code, amended through Building Ordinance 2021-03.
How do I check if my property sits in a floodplain?
Email MCFloodinfo@mohave.gov to request a Property Floodplain Information document for your specific parcel.
Where do I submit my application?
One of three Development Services offices: Kingman (3250 E. Kino Avenue), Bullhead City (1130 E. Hancock Rd.), or Beaver Dam (700 N. Hwy. 91, Bldg. B). Full contact details below.
What if my property is in Kingman, Bullhead City, or Lake Havasu City?
Those are incorporated cities with their own building departments — you follow their specific requirements, not Mohave County's unincorporated-area process.
When should I use SitePlans.us instead?
When your project is commercial and needs a sealed site plan, your submission has already been flagged, or you'd rather have a professional handle it from here.
Contact Mohave County Development Services
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402-7000 |
| Kingman Office | 3250 E. Kino Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86409 — (928) 757-0903 |
| Bullhead City Office | 1130 E. Hancock Rd., Bullhead City, AZ 86442 — (928) 758-0707 |
| Beaver Dam Office | 700 N. Hwy. 91, Bldg. B, Beaver Dam, AZ 86432 — (928) 347-4904 |
| planners@mohave.gov |
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