Building Permits in Aurora, Colorado

Aurora requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work that affects structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by the City of Aurora Building Division, part of Aurora's Planning & Development Services department. Aurora operates its own independent building department — it is not part of a regional building authority like some Colorado jurisdictions.

Aurora has locally adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), along with companion I-Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), all with Aurora-specific amendments. Colorado has no statewide residential building code — the state leaves code adoption to local jurisdictions, so Aurora's adopted edition and local amendments are the controlling authority.

Aurora's Unique Tri-County Geography

Aurora is one of only a handful of U.S. cities that spans three counties — Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas — covering more than 160 square miles. This matters for property owners because:

• Permitting is always handled by the City of Aurora Building Division, regardless of county. If your property is inside Aurora city limits, you get your permit from Aurora.
• Property taxes are assessed by the county in which your parcel sits (Arapahoe, Adams, or Douglas).
• Unincorporated areas in those same counties are governed by county planning and building departments, not the City of Aurora.

If you are unsure whether your address is inside Aurora city limits, use the city's parcel search or call Planning & Development Services at (303) 739-7250.

When You Need a Permit

You generally need an Aurora building permit for:

• New construction, additions, and accessory structures including ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) changes
• Reroofing and window or door openings in exterior walls
• Swimming pools, hot tubs, and retaining walls above a height threshold
• Solar photovoltaic systems
• Demolition of any habitable structure

Minor cosmetic work (painting, floor coverings, cabinetry without plumbing or electrical changes) is typically exempt. When in doubt, contact the Aurora Building Division before starting work — unpermitted construction can result in stop-work orders and costly retroactive corrections.

Aurora Online Permits — Citizen Access Portal (ACA)

Aurora Online Permits, powered by the Citizen Access Portal (ACA) at aca.auroragov.org, is the City's primary permit application and management platform. Through ACA you can:

• Create a personal or contractor account
• Submit new permit applications for residential and commercial projects
• Upload plans and documents for electronic plan review
• Respond to correction comments without visiting City Hall
• Pay permit fees online
• Schedule and track inspections
• Download your issued permit

The portal is available 24/7. For assistance, the Aurora Building Division can be reached at (303) 739-7250 or in person at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012.

Permit Costs

Aurora permit fees are established in the Building Division Fee Schedule published by Planning & Development Services. Fees are typically based on:

• Building permit fee — scales with project construction valuation
• Plan review fee — a percentage of the building permit fee
• Trade permit fees — separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits
• Impact fees — may apply for new construction or added square footage (water, sanitary sewer, transportation, parks)
• Energy code compliance — may require third-party verification depending on project type

Do not rely on third-party fee calculators. Always check the current Aurora Building Division Fee Schedule from the official auroragov.org website for exact amounts before budgeting your project.

Typical Timeline

Correction cycles following the initial review are typically shorter if the applicant fully addresses all comments. Complex projects with engineering, energy compliance, or fire suppression reviews may take longer.

The Process

1. Pre-submittal: Confirm zoning, overlays, and applicable codes for your parcel via the Aurora Planning Department or the ACA portal
2. Plans: Prepare drawings stamped by a licensed Colorado architect or engineer where required (generally for structural work, new construction, and commercial projects)
3. Submit via ACA: Upload documents and plans for electronic plan review at aca.auroragov.org
4. Plan review: Aurora Building Division reviewers (building, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, fire) evaluate the plans for code compliance
5. Corrections: Respond to review comments in the ACA portal and resubmit revised plans
6. Permit issuance: Pay remaining fees and download the issued permit from ACA
7. Post permit on site: The permit must be displayed at the job site during all construction
8. Inspections: Schedule required inspections at each construction phase through ACA or by phone
9. Final: Pass final inspection and, where applicable, receive a Certificate of Occupancy

Inspections

Typical inspection stages for a residential project include:

• Footing and foundation
• Underground plumbing and electrical
• Framing and rough structural
• Rough plumbing, electrical, and mechanical
• Insulation and vapor barrier
• Drywall (nail/screw inspection)
• Final building and trade inspections
• Certificate of Occupancy (new construction and additions)

Schedule inspections through the Aurora ACA portal at aca.auroragov.org or by contacting the Building Division at (303) 739-7250. Inspections generally require at least one business day of advance notice; check the portal for current scheduling availability.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans do not meet the 2021 IBC/IRC or Aurora's local amendments
• Missing structural calculations, energy compliance documentation (REScheck/COMcheck), or licensed-design-professional stamps
• Zoning conflicts (setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, permitted use) under Aurora's Chapter 146 zoning code
• Missing or incomplete site plan showing dimensions, easements, and utilities
• Fire department review not completed for sprinkler, alarm, or occupancy-change projects
• Impact fee clearances or utility service agreements not obtained
• Incomplete submittal package in the ACA portal

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with the City of Aurora Building Division and the Aurora ACA portal before submitting plans or starting construction. See the sources listed in the frontmatter for direct links to the Building Division, the ACA portal, the Aurora Municipal Code on Municode, and the Colorado Division of Housing.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of Aurora sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with the City of Aurora Building Division before submitting plans or starting construction.