What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Mohave County?

Building Permit, Unincorporated Mohave County (new construction, remodel or change of use)

Required for new construction, remodelling or a change of use on a building in the unincorporated portions of the county. Ordinance 2021-03 states that it 'shall apply to the unincorporated areas of Mohave County per Resolution 2007-249, adopted May 7, 2007' (Sec. 1.B), so a building inside Kingman, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City or the Town of Colorado City is outside the ordinance's scope. The ordinance sets its fees by reference to 'the current applicable Fee Ordinance' (Sec. 6.A) and to the same for its automation fee (Sec. 6.C.6). The county's building fee schedule page, dated only 'Rev 11/01/22', is the county's published schedule, and this record carries no dollar figure from it. Confirm the current fee with the Development Services Building Division at (928) 757-0903.

Food Service Establishment Permit, Type III (permit 1003)

Required for a fixed food service establishment of Type III. Figures are as published on the county's Environmental Health service-fees page, labelled 'FEE 2026' and 'Effective June 1, 2026': $849.00 base and $864.00 total including the technology fee, per permit per year. The Board of Supervisors' approval that A.R.S. § 36-187(C)(3) requires is not stated on that page, and no adopting order is cited for this schedule; the county's hearing notice dated April 18, 2026 lists the revised fee schedule for the Board's May 4, 2026 meeting. The page does not state the criteria that separate Type I, Type II and Type III, so confirm the classification with Environmental Health. Coverage inside the four incorporated cities is not stated in the county's published materials.

Seasonal Food Service Permit (Type I, II or III)

Applies only where a food operation is seasonal. The county's service-fees page states: 'Seasonal Permits apply only to establishments that operate no more than 180 consecutive days (or 6 consecutive months or less) in a year.' Figures are as published on the page labelled 'FEE 2026' and 'Effective June 1, 2026': Type I $283.00 base and $298.00 total, Type II $420.00 base and $435.00 total, and Type III $481.00 base and $496.00 total, per permit. The Board of Supervisors' approval that A.R.S. § 36-187(C)(3) requires is not stated on that page, and no adopting order is cited for this schedule; the county's hearing notice dated April 18, 2026 lists the revised fee schedule for the Board's May 4, 2026 meeting. An operation running longer than that period is outside the seasonal figures and falls under the regular food service permit.

Bar or Tavern Permit, with Bar/Lounge Add-On to a Food Permit

Required for a bar or tavern operated in addition to a food permit. The county's service-fees page lists the bar or tavern permit (1004) at $633.00 base and $648.00 total, and the bar/lounge add-on to a food permit (1005) at $519.00 base and $534.00 total, per permit per year. Both figures are as published on the page labelled 'FEE 2026' and 'Effective June 1, 2026'. The Board of Supervisors' approval that A.R.S. § 36-187(C)(3) requires is not stated on that page, and no adopting order is cited for this schedule; the county's hearing notice dated April 18, 2026 lists the revised fee schedule for the Board's May 4, 2026 meeting. The alcohol license itself is a separate state matter, recorded under the liquor recommendation record.

Spirituous Liquor License: Board of Supervisors Recommendation (unincorporated areas)

A.R.S. § 4-201 contains no fee provision for the county's local recommendation, so this record states no fee amount. For a spirituous liquor application outside an incorporated city or town, the state director routes the application to the clerk of the county board of supervisors, and the board then enters an order recommending approval or disapproval within sixty days after filing (A.R.S. § 4-201(C) and (D)). Inside an incorporated city or town the city governing body makes that recommendation instead. The Clerk of the Board's frequently asked questions states that the Board of Supervisors meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 9:30 A.M. at 700 W. Beale Street, Kingman. The state liquor license itself is issued through the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, and it is a separate requirement from this county recommendation.

Shared with other businesses in Mohave County

• Food Service Establishment Permit, Type I (permit 1001) — Mohave County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Type I food service establishment permit (permit 1001), as printed on the county's Environmental Health service-fees page: $547.00 base; $562.00 total including the technology fee., annual; the county FAQ describes its operating license fees as annual, and the exact renewal date is not stated on the fee page, the FAQ or the application page. Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Service Establishment Permit, Type II (permit 1002) — Mohave County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Type II food service establishment permit (permit 1002), as printed on the county's Environmental Health service-fees page: $713.00 base; $728.00 total including the technology fee., annual; the county FAQ describes its operating license fees as annual, and the exact renewal date is not stated on the fee page, the FAQ or the application page. Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Temporary Food Service Permit, with Late-Notice Add-On, Non-Profit and Annual Options — Mohave County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Temporary food service (permit 1071): $108.00, with no total shown on the page. Late add-on for notice given under seven days (permit 1071 add-on): $50.00 base; $65.00 total. Non-profit temporary food service (permit 1072): $54.00. Annual temporary food service (permit 1078): $293.00. As printed on the county's Environmental Health service-fees page., a temporary permit is valid only for the permittee, booth and event, for no more than 14 consecutive days; the annual temporary option (permit 1078) is an annual permit. Also required for food trucks and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Septic (Onsite Wastewater) System Authorization, where there is no public sewer — Mohave County Development Services Department, Authorization and inspection fees are listed on the county's septic and well permitting page by system type, including residential conventional and commercial conventional systems. The page carries no adoption or effective date, so no dollar figure is stated in this record., per authorization; the county's septic and well permitting page does not state a term. Also required for coffee shops, fitness studios, veterinary clinics, salons and barbers and auto repair shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Establishment Permit — Arizona Department of Health Services, $144–$1,015 a year, set by the county board of health — there is no state fee, 1 year from issue. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food Handler Card — Arizona Department of Health Services, No fee, 3 years in the counties that require one. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.