Council amends accessory‑structure rules to allow larger garages with new architectural standards

The Bullhead City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s accessory‑structure rules to allow larger detached garages and similar buildings while adding architectural standards for larger structures.

Planning Manager Johnny Lohrer explained the amendment would raise the allowable accessory‑structure size from the current 50 percent of living area to 150 percent (i.e., up to 2.5 times living area for the largest category). Lohrer said the change responds to developer requests and homeowner interest in larger garage or workshop spaces on some larger lots.

Because of the larger permitted size, the code amendment also adds new façade and architectural requirements for structures that exceed the current size. Lohrer said the standards would require visible elevations facing the street or neighboring properties to include at least three architectural elements — for example, pop‑outs, roofline variations or canopies — and to use conventional façade materials (stucco, masonry, stone) rather than plain exposed metal panels. Lohrer noted existing standards requiring similar or matching colors will remain and that the change would not supersede homeowner association rules.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, and the council voted 7–0 to adopt Ordinance No. 2025‑12 and the accompanying resolution declaring the code amendment a public record.

Council members asked whether architectural standards would apply only to the larger class of accessory buildings; staff confirmed the heightened standards apply only to the larger (2.5x) structures. The transcript records no HOA conflicts being overridden by this ordinance.