Aurora, CO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Aurora, CO, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Placement
- Rear or side yard only
- Rear setback
- 5 ft (3 ft from alley)
- Materials
- Must match main house
- Open carport exception
- Can reach 5 ft of side line
- Permit
- Building permit required
Summary
Aurora requires a detached carport that needs a building permit to sit in the rear or side yard, meet zone setbacks, and match the main house's exterior materials.
3. Carports and Garages. Carports and private residential garages detached from the principal building requiring a building permit shall: a. Be constructed within the rear or side yard; b. Meet the side setback requirements and the rear setbacks required by Subsection 1.f above; and c. Have exterior materials and colors similar in appearance to the principal building.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-30, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance treats detached carports the same as detached private garages: any carport or garage separated from the principal building that requires a building permit must be built in the rear or side yard, meet the applicable side setback plus a rear setback of 5 feet from the rear lot line (3 feet if backing an alley), and use exterior materials and colors similar to the main house. Separately, an open-sided carport, port cochere, or canopy, unenclosed except for structural supports, may encroach into a side setback, but never closer than 5 feet to the side lot line. Rules are citywide; Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties. UDO current through Ordinance 2026-03 (Feb. 23, 2026).
Violations & Fines
Building a detached carport without a permit, or outside the required rear/side yard and setback limits, violates the UDO and can bring a stop-work order, code-enforcement citation, and forced relocation or removal of the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a carport in my front yard in Aurora?
How close to my side property line can an open carport be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
How Aurora compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle shed & carport rules.