Aurora building permits
Building permits in Aurora are issued by the City of Aurora Development Services Department, Building Division1. You can apply and request inspections online through aurora4biz.org2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Aurora
- Aurora building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Aurora
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Aurora
- Building without a permit in Aurora
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Colorado rules that also apply in Aurora
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Aurora Development Services Department, Building Division1
Building permits
- Website
- auroragov.org2
- Apply online
- aurora4biz.org2
- Phone
- (303) 739-74202
- [email protected]2
- Address
- 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Ste. 2400, Aurora, CO 800123
- Hours
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wed 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.2
- Inspections
- Online at Aurora4Biz.org, by fax 303-739-7412, by email [email protected], or by phone 303.739.74204
City of Aurora Planning and Business Development Department5
Zoning and planning
- Website
- auroragov.org5
- Phone
- (303) 739-70006
- [email protected]6
- Address
- Access Aurora Counter, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, 1st Floor, Aurora, CO5
- Hours
- Aurora Municipal Center open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday for in-person appointments and payments5
City of Aurora Building Division, Contractor Licensing7
Contractor licensing
- Website
- auroragov.org7
- Apply online
- coaapps.auroragov.org7
- Phone
- (303) 739-74207
- [email protected]1
City of Aurora Development Services Department, Public Improvements9
Public works and right-of-way
- Phone
- (303) 739-74208
- Inspections
- Engineering and grade inspections: call Public Improvements at 303.739.74208
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: ags.auroragov.org11.
Building codes in force in Aurora
These are the model codes Aurora enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Colorado building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 International Building Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 International Residential Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2021 International Mechanical Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2021 International Fuel Gas Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2021 International Fire Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2021 International Plumbing Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2021 International Existing Building Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| Energy code, residential | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa (ISPSC)12 | 202112 | – | Aurora City Council by ordinance13 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2026 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)2 | 202612 | 2 | City of Aurora, simultaneously with the State of Colorado14 |
Transition rules. New electrical applications go to the 2026 NEC; single-family master plans auto-processed under 2026 NEC; multifamily master plans must submit revisions2.
Aurora building permit fees
Fees come from the Fee Schedule 3 - Permit and Plan Review Fees (Effective 2026); 2026 Flat Rate Fee Permits (Form A175)15.
How valuation is set. Flat rates for listed project types; per-square-foot by occupancy group for new buildings; for other projects the city's online calculator estimates plan review fee, permit fee and use tax (the valuation table itself is not published in Fee Schedule 3)16.
Each line is worded as in Aurora’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rate: egress window, gas pipe, residential EV charger, residential siding, water heater replacement | Flat fee | $99 EACH • Egress Window Installation • Gas Pipe Installation or Modification • Residential EV Charger • Residential Siding Replacement • Water Heater Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: residential electrical service upgrade | Flat fee | $190 • Residential Electrical Service Upgrade17 |
| Flat rate: energy storage system | Flat fee | $191 • Energy Storage System17 |
| Flat rate: fuel storage tank installation | Flat fee | $267 • Fuel Storage Tank Installation17 |
| Flat rate: boiler; furnace and A/C; residential mobile home setup | Flat fee | $300 EACH • Boiler Replacement • Furnace and Air Conditioner Replacement • Residential Mobile Home Setup17 |
| Flat rate: single family residential roof replacement | Flat fee | $350 • Single Family Residential Roof Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: demolition, SFR deck, commercial signs, SFR patio cover | Flat fee | $402 EACH • Demolition (full or partial building) • Single Family Residential Deck • Commercial Signs • Single Family Residential Patio Cover17 |
| Flat rate: A/C, evaporative cooler, furnace replacement; life safety (no plan review); temporary trailer | Flat fee | $201 EACH • Air Conditioner Replacement • Evaporative Cooler Replacement • Furnace Replacement • Life Safety Permits no Plan Review • Temporary Sales or Construction Trailer Setup17 |
| Flat rate: tankless water heater | Flat fee | $287 EACH • Tankless Water Heater17 |
| Flat rate: furnace and water heater replacement | Flat fee | $292 • Furnace and Water Heater Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: life safety permits with plan review | Flat fee | $326 EACH • Life Safety Permits with Plan Review17 |
| Flat rate: rooftop unit; furnace, A/C and water heater replacement | Flat fee | $336 EACH • Rooftop Unit Replacement • Furnace, Air Conditioner and Water Heater Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: residential roof and siding replacement | Flat fee | $424 • Residential Roof and Siding Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: residential solar PV system | Flat fee | $500 • Residential Solar PV System17 |
| Flat rate: basement finish, fire damage repair | Flat fee | $536 EACH • Basement Finish • Fire Damage Repair17 |
| Flat rate: commercial roof replacement | Flat fee | $650 • Commercial Roof Replacement17 |
| Flat rate: sales office in residential model | Flat fee | $669 • Sales Office in Residential Model17 |
| Flat rate: commercial solar PV system | Flat fee | $1000 • Commercial Solar PV System17 |
| New building fee, R-3 single family homes (per sq ft, minimum) | – | R-3* Single Family Homes $1.30 $2,00015 |
| New building fee, U (Utility) commercial garages/misc. structures (per sq ft, minimum) | – | U (Utility) Commercial Garages/Misc. $3.40 $2,00015 |
| R-3 Master Plan Review | Plan review | *R-3 Master Plan Review = $2,655 Fee15 |
| Plan Revision | Plan review | Plan Revision (2 hr. min.) $170/hr.15 |
| Demolition Permit Fee (Full or Partial Building) | Flat fee | Demolition Permit Fee (Full or Partial Building) $40215 |
| TCO Fee | Flat fee | $850.00 is charged for a TCO18 |
| Investigation & Inspection for determining structural soundness | Per inspection | Investigation & Inspection for determining structural soundness of buildings, structures or improvements to be modified No Charge15 |
| Sales and Use Tax deposit (city) | – | --Sales and Use Tax deposit · 3.75% of total construction materials cost4 |
| Arapahoe County Open Space Use Tax deposit | – | --Arapahoe County Open Space Use Tax deposit (applies only to properties in Arapahoe County) · 0.25% of total construction materials cost4 |
| Capital Impact Fee, single-family detached | – | Single-family (detached) · $9,327 per unit4 |
How to get a building permit in Aurora
- Talk with the Building Division; owner or hired contractor is responsible for obtaining permits19
- Submit an application with job description, sketches or plans19
- Receive the permit (fee collected before issuance); then work may begin19
- Call for inspections19
- Receive final approval documenting the permit is closed19
- Apply online
- Yes19
- Over-the-counter permits
- Water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, roof and electrical service upgrades (online over-the-counter permits)20
- Posting the permit
- Permit kept on site and available to the inspector; stamped 'Approved Plans' on site if plans were required19
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Expires if work does not begin within six months or is not completed within one year19
- Extensions
- Expired permits may be renewed or extended19
Inspections in Aurora
Aurora’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Footings/Caissons/Foundation8
- Frame Rough8
- Electrical Rough8
- Plumbing Rough8
- Heat Rough and Gas Pipe8
- Insulation8
- Frame Final8
- Roofing inspection (R)19
- How to schedule
- Typically as soon as the next business day4
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of Occupancy (temporary or final) required before occupancy; issued only after all inspection agencies are satisfied18
Building without a permit in Aurora
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal order | Work started before the building permit is issued19 | Fines and court appearances; if plans are rejected, removal of all work at the owner's expense19 | Redo the work with a permit (after-the-fact permit)19 |
| Permit revoked | Construction supervisor/contractor who allows occupancy without a CO18 | Supervisor certificate and contractor license may be suspended or revoked18 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes19
Colorado's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Colorado permit guide.
Colorado rules that also apply in Aurora
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Colorado
- Contractor licensing in Colorado
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Colorado
- Private plan review and inspections in Colorado
Sources
- Contractor License Fees & Requirements (Revised 02/2026, Form #A105)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised February 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Building Division - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Adopted Building Codes (Revised 02/2026) Form #A245City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised February 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Building Inspections - Frequently Asked Questions - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning and Business Development - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Planning and Business Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Planning and Business Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Contractor Licensing and Lookup - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Inspections & Certificate of Occupancy - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Public Works - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Public Works DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Code Violations - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Code EnforcementChecked November 7, 2026
- Instructions For Online (Aurora Building Division)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Adopted Building Codes - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Codes & Ordinances - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, City Clerk (Public Records)Checked November 7, 2026
- Plan Review - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Fee Schedule 3 - Permit and Plan Review Fees (Effective 2026)City of Aurora, Development Services DepartmentEffective 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Permit Fee Calculator - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- 2026 Flat Rate Fee Permits (Flat-Rate Fee, Revised 08/2026, Form #A175)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised August 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Checklist for CO or TCO (Revised 06/2025, Form #A115)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised June 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Aurora DIY & Do It Right Home Improvement Handbook (March 2019)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionPublished March 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- Step by Step Creating Over the Counter PermitsCity of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026