Mohave County, Arizona — Zoning Codes & Development Rules (2025 Guide)

LYDOS
Aug 29
9 min read

Updated: Sep 4

Mohave County Zoning Codes & Development Rules - Scope & audience. This guide explains how zoning works in unincorporated Mohave County (outside city limits of Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, etc.). It summarizes the official Zoning Ordinance, related Building, Septic/On-site Wastewater, and Floodplain rules, and the state statutes that frame county planning. Examples are geared to buyers of vacant land (1–160 acres) considering homes, RV use, manufactured housing, small subdivisions, RV parks, light industrial, and other common projects. Mohave County+3Mohave County+3Mohave County+3 Arizona State Legislature

1) Quick facts that shape zoning decisions

Where it applies. The Mohave County Zoning Ordinance governs the unincorporated county (cities have their own codes). The ordinance was adopted in 2015 and revised multiple times, most recently in 2024. Mohave County
Big, sparse, and recreational. Mohave is Arizona’s second-largest county (≈13,300 square miles of land) with an estimated 226,000–229,000 residents (2024–2025). Census Data Census.gov FRED
Public-land context. About 71% of county land is federally owned (BLM, NPS, etc.), with the BLM alone managing ~4.8 million acres. That scarcity of privately owned land influences where development can actually occur. Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior
Who does zoning. The Planning & Zoning Division administers the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations under ARS Title 11, Ch. 6; the Planning & Zoning Commission advises the Board of Supervisors. Mohave County+1

2) The Mohave County zoning map — districts & overlays

The ordinance establishes the zones below; permitted uses and standards live in their respective sections. (Abbreviated list shown with exact names from the code.) Mohave County

Base districts (examples):

A (General); A-D (Airport Development); A-R (Agricultural-Residential)
R-E (Residential-Recreation); R-1 (Single-Family Residential); R-2 (Single-Family Medium Density / Multi-Family Low Density)
R-MH (Single-Family Residential Manufactured Home); R-RV (Single-Family Residential – Recreational Vehicle)
C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial); C-2 (General Commercial); C-2H (General Commercial – Highway Frontage)
C-M / C-MO (Commercial-Manufacturing / Open-Lot Storage)
M-1 (Light Manufacturing); M-2 (General Manufacturing); M-X (Heavy Manufacturing)
R-P / C-P / N-P (Regional / Community / Neighborhood Parks)

Overlay & plan tools:

R-CL (Residential Cluster Overlay) to cluster lots while preserving open space.
E (Energy Overlay) used with industrial/utility-scale energy.
PAD (Planned Area Development) for unified, mixed-use or large-site plans with negotiated standards. Mohave County+1

Setbacks & lot area. All base zones tie back to Section 35 “Setbacks and Area Requirements.” Minimum lot sizes and yards vary by district; some commercial/industrial districts show 1-acre minimums or special water-served reductions. The map may also display lot-area “combining zones” (e.g., “R-1/10M” for a 10,000-sf minimum). Always check Section 35 and the official zoning map for the parcel in question. Mohave County+1

3) What you can build — selected districts, with examples - Mohave County Zoning Codes & Development Rules

A) R-1 (Single-Family Residential)

Typical intent: urban-style single-family lots.
Permitted examples: site-built, manufactured, or factory-built single-family homes; customary accessory uses (subject to setbacks). Mohave County
Example: Buying a platted 10,000-sf lot signed “R-1/10M”? You can place a site-built or HUD-code manufactured home, subject to Section 35 setbacks and any floodplain or septic constraints (see Sections 6 & 7 below). Mohave County+1

B) R-MH (Single-Family Residential — Manufactured Home)

Intent: manufactured-home subdivisions and parks.
Key provisions: one MH per space; park/subdivision approvals; standards in Sections 22, 35, 36, 37, 42. Mohave County
Example: Converting an older MH park to new models? You’ll use the R-MH standards plus building, fire, and environmental health requirements. Mohave County

C) R-RV (Single-Family Residential — Recreational Vehicle)

Intent: RV subdivisions and RV parks (replaced the former R-TT and C-RE/SD).
Use pathways: RV placement inside an approved RV park/subdivision follows Section 37.G; stand-alone RV placement on a separate parcel is controlled by Section 37.K. Mohave County
Example: Proposing a two-acre RV miniplat: request R-RV and process a Recreational Vehicle Park Plan (Section 37.G). Outside of R-RV, certain commercial districts may allow RV parks by Special Use Permit (see C-2/C-2H below). Mohave County+1

D) C-1 / C-2 / C-2H (Commercial)

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial): local retail/services; some animal/vet uses not allowed here. Mohave County
C-2 (General Commercial): larger-scale community retail/office; RV parks & MH parks allowed with a Special Use Permit (SUP); limited residential when tied to a commercial use. Mohave County
C-2H (Highway Frontage): very intense commercial with open-lot sales/storage (e.g., heavy equipment, manufactured homes). Reduced minimum lot sizes may apply when on public water. Mohave County
Example: A Hwy-front open-lot sales yard fits C-2H; a neighborhood pet-grooming shop under 1,000 sf can sit in most commercial/industrial zones, but C-1 is more restrictive for kennels/vet clinics. Mohave County

E) C-M / C-MO & M-1 / M-2 / M-X (Industrial spectrum)

M-1 (Light Manufacturing): clean/light production, warehousing, offices; screening and compatibility standards apply. Mohave County
M-2 (General) & M-X (Heavy): heavier uses, with view-obscuring and corridor protections on highways/arterials. Mohave County
C-MO / C-M: “Commercial-Manufacturing / Open-Lot Storage” hybrids used for outdoor storage and certain retail/industrial mixes. Mohave County
Example: Cannabis retail/production siting is limited to C-MO, M-1, M-2, M-X (and A-D for grow/establishment); retail may occur in C-2/C-2H/COR with a Special Use Permit and state distances. Mohave County

F) Overlays & planned tools

R-CL (Residential Cluster Overlay): lets you cluster homes and preserve open space over R-E or A-R base zones. Mohave County
PAD (Planned Area Development): large/mixed projects with custom sub-zones and negotiated standards, consistent with the General Plan; parcel splits must follow subdivision rules. Mohave County

4) Land splitting, rezoning & plan amendments

Five-or-fewer lot land divisions (minor land divisions). Under A.R.S. §11-809, counties can not require a public hearing, and if review isn’t completed in 30 days, an application is deemed approved—provided deeds disclose deficiencies and the split meets minimum zoning/access standards. This statute is a cornerstone for small acreage splits. Justia Law
Rezoning & SUPs. Zone changes and Special Use Permits are processed through Planning & Zoning with hearings and Board action. Performance violations can trigger hearings to revoke a Conditional Use Permit. Mohave County
General Plan amendments. The county distinguishes Minor vs. Major amendments; very large proposals (e.g., ≥1,800 acres) typically constitute a Major Amendment with additional process. Mohave County

5) Accessory and special uses you’ll see in practice

RV & MH parks. Detailed submittals (park plans), spacing, services, and sometimes exceptions via formal petitions are laid out in Sections 37.F (MH parks) and 37.G (RV parks). Mohave County
Kennels/veterinary. Location restrictions vary by zone (e.g., limits in C-1/C-2 without conditions; larger kennels need acreage/SUP and can be allowed in A, commercial, and industrial zones subject to standards). Mohave County
Wireless towers. Height and setbacks (often tied to twice the tower height in residential areas) and removal/abandonment rules appear in Section 37.R. Mohave County

6) Building codes, septic, & environmental health (what trips up land buyers)

Building codes. Mohave County has adopted the 2018 I-Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code with local amendments for unincorporated areas (Ordinance 2021-03, rev. July 15, 2024). Even accessory structures and certain fences need permits. Mohave County+1
Septic (On-site Wastewater). ADEQ holds statewide authority but delegates permitting to counties. Mohave runs permitting for conventional and some alternative systems; NOI (Notice of Intent) to Discharge and plot/designs are required. On sale, a Notice of Transfer and a $70 ADEQ fee per parcel apply. azdeq.gov Mohave County+2Mohave County+2
Water. Where no municipal water exists, buyers often use wells or haul water. (Arizona adequacy rules for subdivisions are in ARS Title 11/Title 45; check the local water provider and the basin’s status during diligence.) Arizona State Legislature
Floodplain. Before permitting, confirm whether your parcel lies in FEMA Zones AE/A/O/X and if any floodway touches it. Mohave’s Flood Control Ordinance (2023) and “Is my property in a flood zone?” guidance add special requirements within floodways. Mohave County+1

7) Agricultural & large-lot exemptions (often misunderstood)

Agricultural exemption (5+ “commercial acres”). Parcels of 5 contiguous commercial acres (1 commercial acre = 35,000 sf) used for grazing/general agriculture and classified as agriculture by the Assessor can receive an exemption from the Zoning Ordinance and Building Codes for the agricultural portions—subject to certification by Development Services and annual review. A fee (listed as $250) applies to process the exemption. Non-ag buildings and habitable structures serving non-ag uses remain subject to codes. Mohave County
Exemption Permit (large rural accessory structures). For properties ≥5 contiguous acres, owners may qualify for an Exemption Permit for specified residential accessory structures—streamlining permits while maintaining safety. (See Section 37.Y.) Mohave County

8) Worked examples (vacant-land buyer scenarios)

Example 1: Place a manufactured home on a 1-acre parcel near Kingman (R-1/1A)

Verify zoning (R-1) and lot-area combining zone on the official map. 2) Check setbacks in Section 35; 3) confirm floodplain status; 4) apply for septic (NOI + county permit) if not on sewer; 5) submit building permit (2018 I-Codes). Because R-1 permits manufactured homes, the key hurdles are utilities and environmental health. Mohave County+4Mohave County+4Mohave County+4
Mohave County Zoning Codes & Development Rules

Example 2: Create 4–5 small acreage lots from a 20-acre rural tract

Pursue a minor land division under A.R.S. §11-809 (no public hearing; 30-day deemed approval if complete). Ensure legal access, minimum lot sizes, and zoning compatibility; if you need smaller lots than your base zone allows, a rezoning or R-CL cluster approach may be appropriate. Justia Law Mohave County

Example 3: Highway-front RV sales yard & storage

Target C-2H (highway frontage). Open-lot sales/storage are core uses; minimum lot sizes and setbacks follow Section 35 (with water-served lot-size reductions possible). If you want an RV park component, that may require a Special Use Permit where the base district isn’t R-RV. Mohave County

Example 4: Light-industrial flex building near the airport

Use M-1 with screening and compatibility standards; check the Airport Development (A-D) and Energy overlays if applicable, and confirm stormwater/flood and septic routes (if unsewered). Mohave County+2Mohave County+2

Example 5: Farm & ranch exemption on 10 contiguous acres

If the Assessor classifies the land as agricultural and Development Services certifies it, agricultural operations on those acres can be exempt from zoning/building codes; non-ag structures still need permits. Annual review applies. Mohave County

9) Process, boards, and what to expect on timing

Who hears what. The Planning & Zoning Commission holds public hearings for rezonings/plan amendments and makes recommendations; the Board of Supervisors renders final decisions. Mohave County
Plan amendments. Very large-scale or land-use-mix-altering requests (e.g., ≥1,800 acres) are treated as Major Amendments with heightened procedures/timing. Mohave County
Enforcement. The County Zoning Inspector investigates violations; the code provides for permit holds, civil, and (for certain offenses) criminal remedies. Mohave County

10) Related regulations every land buyer should check

Building Ordinance (2018 I-Codes / 2017 NEC with amendments). Mohave County
On-site wastewater (ADEQ + Mohave County program). Permitting, NOI, designs, transfer at sale ($70 per parcel). azdeq.gov Mohave County+1
Floodplain rules & maps (County Flood Control District + FEMA). Development standards in floodways and special flood hazard areas; contact Floodplain Administration during due diligence. Mohave County+1

11) Data points & “why Mohave” for investors

Population growth: ~226.5k (2024) and trending upward (FRED/Census). FREDCensus.gov
Public-land share: ~71% federal ownership; BLM Kingman Field Office manages ≈2.4M acres within the county—context for private-land scarcity and the importance of zoning entitlements. Bureau of Land Management+1

12) Practical checklist for a parcel

Confirm base zoning + any overlays in the Zoning Ordinance & Map; note lot-area combining codes (e.g., R-1/10M). 2) Pull Section 35 setbacks/lot sizes. 3) Verify floodplain/floodway status. 4) Determine water/sewer vs. well/septic; prepare NOI package if on septic. 5) Check if any agricultural or large-lot exemptions apply. 6) If splitting land, consider the A.R.S. §11-809 path and whether a rezoning or R-CL cluster is preferable. 7) If proposing RV/MH parks or open-lot highway uses, match the project to R-RV, R-MH, C-2H, or use SUP where required. Mohave County+4Mohave County+4Mohave County+4 Justia Law

Sources / References

Mohave County Zoning Ordinance (adopted 2015; revisions through Nov 2024), incl. Section 11 (zones), Section 12 (overlays), Section 22 (R-MH), Section 24 (R-RV), Section 29–30 (C-2/C-2H), Section 32 (M-1), Section 35 (setbacks/area), Section 37 (special uses; ag/exemptions; towers; RV/MH parks), Section 39–41 (permits/enforcement), Section 46.2 (plan amendments).

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