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Mohave County, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Mohave County, AZ, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

State Preemption
Counties can't ban STRs
County Law
A.R.S. §11-269.17
Unincorporated
Register with Assessor
Bullhead City
Permit, $250/year
City Law
A.R.S. §9-500.39

Summary

Arizona law (A.R.S. §11-269.17) bars Mohave County from banning short-term rentals. Owners must register with the County Assessor, and cities like Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City require their own STR permits.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Mohave County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A county may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals.

Source: Arizona Revised StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Arizona strongly protects short-term rentals. Under A.R.S. §11-269.17, Mohave County cannot prohibit or restrict vacation and short-term rentals or require owner-occupancy; it may only regulate health and safety, require emergency-contact information, and require a permit. In unincorporated areas, the main obligation is registering the property with the Mohave County Assessor under A.R.S. §33-1902, which applies to all residential rentals. Incorporated cities layer on more: Bullhead City requires a short-term rental permit ($250 a year), a posted emergency contact, and proof of insurance; Lake Havasu City runs its own STR program. The parallel city statute is A.R.S. §9-500.39.

Violations & Fines

Failing to register with the County Assessor can bring a civil penalty of $150 per day under A.R.S. §33-1902. Operating without a required city permit brings city fines and enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mohave County ban short-term rentals?
No. A.R.S. §11-269.17 preempts the county from prohibiting STRs or requiring owner-occupancy. It may regulate health and safety, require an emergency contact, and require a permit.
Do I need a permit for an unincorporated-area rental?
You must register the property with the Mohave County Assessor. Cities like Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City require a separate STR permit on top of that.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mohave County

All Mohave County rules

How Mohave County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Mohave County to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview

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