Pop. 386,261 · Arapahoe County
Backyard recreational fires in Aurora are allowed in approved pits when within size limits, properly attended, and outside any active fire restriction period.
Aurora's eastern plains edge and open space buffers are the highest wildfire risk areas, and the Fire Marshal enforces wildland-urban interface requirements for new construction.
Open burning of trash, leaves, and yard waste is prohibited in Aurora, and recreational fires must use approved containers with limits on size and fuel.
Aurora does not ban gas leaf blowers citywide but restricts loud power equipment via the general noise ordinance, which limits residential operation to reasonable daytime hours.
Industrial and commercial noise in Aurora must stay within zone-based decibel limits at receiving property lines and is regulated under Municipal Code Chapter 94.
Aircraft noise in Aurora from Buckley Space Force Base and Denver International Airport is preempted by federal FAA regulations and not controlled by local ordinance.
Outdoor music at venues, parks, and residences in Aurora must comply with Chapter 94 decibel limits and end amplified sound by 10 p.m. absent a special event permit.
Aurora enforces decibel limits measured at the receiving property line, with residential zones capped around 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime under Chapter 94.
Amplified music in Aurora is regulated under Chapter 94 of the Municipal Code with decibel limits at the property line and a nighttime quiet period beginning at 10 p.m.
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance Section 4.4.8 sets residential noise limits of 55 dBA during the day (7 AM-9 PM) and 45 dBA at night (9 PM-7 AM), measured at the property line. City Code Section 94-107 separately prohibits unnecessary noise and disturbing the peace.
Aurora's animal code under Chapter 14 addresses barking dogs as a nuisance. Dogs that bark, howl, or make noise excessively may be subject to animal control enforcement. Aurora Animal Services handles complaints and can issue citations.
Aurora restricts construction to 7 AM-6 PM on weekdays and 12 PM-6 PM on weekends. Special permits may be issued for after-hours work in cases of urgent necessity or when public health and safety would not be impaired.
Tiny homes on foundations are treated as ADUs or primary dwellings in Aurora; tiny homes on wheels are generally limited to licensed RV parks.
Aurora allows accessory dwelling units on single-family lots per UDO Section 146-4.7.6, with owner-occupancy and size caps tied to the primary dwelling.
Aurora treats carports as accessory structures subject to setbacks, height limits, and building permits when attached or over 120 square feet.
Aurora's current short-term rental rule in Aurora City Code 146-3.3.6 limits short-term rental of an ADU to property owners who are living in the primary dwelling - effectively an owner-occupancy condition tied to STR use. Long-term rental of an ADU does not require owner occupancy under the existing code. Colorado HB24-1152, operative June 30, 2025, preempts owner-occupancy requirements on ADUs in subject jurisdictions like Aurora; the city is amending the UDO to comply.
Aurora collects development impact fees for new dwelling units under Aurora City Code Chapter 138 (Development Fees). ADU permits trigger building permit fees, plan-review fees, Aurora Water tap fees, and use-tax on construction materials. The city has not adopted a per-unit ADU surcharge or a low-income waiver. State law HB24-1152 allows local governments to keep impact fees on ADUs but encourages waivers for small or affordable units; Aurora is studying fee structures as part of the post-2025 UDO update.
Aurora regulates detached accessory dwelling units under Unified Development Ordinance Section 146-3.3.6 (Accessory and Temporary Uses). Only one ADU is allowed per single-family detached dwelling and the ADU must be detached - attached or interior ADUs are not permitted under current city code. Plan review goes through the Building Division at the Aurora Municipal Center with a building permit, zoning sign-off, and trade permits. State law Colorado HB24-1152 (effective June 30, 2025) preempts Aurora's existing restrictions and requires an administrative approval pathway, prompting the city to draft UDO amendments tracked at engageaurora.org/zcu.
Aurora permits long-term rental of ADUs (leases of 30+ days) with no city license required beyond the ADU permit. Short-term rental of an ADU (under 30 days) is allowed only when the property owner lives in the primary dwelling, under UDO 146-3.3.6, and requires an Aurora STR business license and collection of the 8% Aurora lodger's tax plus 4.25% state lodger's tax. STRs without a license are a code violation. HB24-1152 will affect owner-occupancy conditioning beginning June 30, 2025.
Converting a garage to living space in Aurora requires a building permit, habitable-space code compliance, and replacement off-street parking under the UDO.
Aurora allows residential sheds under 120 square feet without a building permit, but zoning setbacks and height limits apply under the Unified Development Ordinance.
Aurora allows artificial turf on residential and commercial property with limits: typically no more than 25-50 percent of front yard landscape area and required permeable base and drainage.
Aurora City Code limits weeds and grass to 6 inches or less on developed residential and commercial lots. Overgrowth is a nuisance subject to notice, abatement, and cost recovery by Neighborhood Services.
Removal of trees in the public right-of-way requires a permit from the Aurora City Forester. Private yard trees generally do not require a permit unless part of a landscape plan or EAB quarantine.
Aurora encourages native and xeric landscaping and requires that at least 60 percent of non-turf landscape area on new development use low-water plants from the city's approved plant list.
Aurora prohibits noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation over 6 inches on developed properties. State-listed noxious weeds must be controlled under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.
Colorado HB 16-1005 allows Aurora residents to collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels with a combined maximum of 110 gallons, used only on the property of origin for outdoor purposes.
Aurora requires property owners to keep trees pruned to provide 8 feet clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets. The City Forester enforces standards and manages public right-of-way trees.
Aurora Water enforces year-round watering rules: no outdoor watering 10am-6pm, up to 3 days per week in summer, none November through April. Drought stages can tighten this to 1 day per week or less.
Aurora permits home occupations as an accessory use in all residential zones, subject to standards that keep the business secondary to the dwelling and preserve neighborhood character.
Aurora prohibits exterior signs, displays, or advertising for home occupations. No outside indication of the business is allowed from the street or neighboring property.
Home daycares in Aurora must be licensed by Colorado under CRS 26-6-102, meet zoning standards, and provide outdoor play space. Family homes can serve up to 6 children including residents.
Aurora follows Colorado's Cottage Foods Act (CRS 25-4-1614), allowing home producers to sell up to $10,000 per product annually of non-hazardous foods directly to consumers.
Aurora requires a home occupation license and general business/sales tax license for any business operated from a residence. Application is through the Tax and Licensing Division.
Home occupations in Aurora may receive limited client visits, typically one client at a time, with no visits late at night and no generation of traffic beyond normal residential levels.
Aurora STR operators must carry adequate liability coverage, typically at least $1 million per occurrence, and may need to disclose STR use to their homeowner's insurer.
Aurora short-term rentals must provide adequate off-street parking and follow city parking rules, with no overnight RV parking on residential streets.
Aurora short-term rentals must obtain a business license through Tax and Licensing, pass a safety inventory, and renew annually with the license number displayed on all listings.
Aurora STR operators must collect city lodger's tax, state sales tax, and county lodging taxes, and pay an annual license fee in addition to Colorado state requirements.
Aurora caps STR occupancy based on bedroom count, typically two guests per bedroom plus two, and prohibits using the license to host parties or events.
Aurora does not impose a hard annual night cap on short-term rentals but distinguishes between primary-residence and non-primary licenses, with some zoning limits on non-primary rentals.
Aurora City Code Chapter 26.5 does not impose a host-presence requirement on short-term rentals; whole-home rentals are permitted when the unit is the operator's primary residence and the property maintains an active STR business license.
Aurora City Code Chapter 26.5 authorizes mandatory short-term rental license revocation after three substantiated code violations within twelve months, with a two-year reapplication bar that mirrors enforcement language used in Denver and Boulder.
Aurora City Code Chapter 26.5 restricts short-term rental licenses to dwellings that serve as the operator's primary residence, blocking investor-owned whole-home STRs and limiting market entry to owner-occupants and long-term tenants with landlord consent.
Aurora City Code Chapter 26.5 makes booking platforms jointly liable for unlicensed short-term rental listings, requiring license-number display, monthly disclosure to the city, and removal of any listing within five business days of a city takedown notice.
Aurora City Code Chapter 26.5 permits an unhosted whole-home short-term rental at a primary residence for up to 240 days per calendar year, balancing owner travel and seasonal absence against the city's owner-occupancy mandate.
Aurora requires a General Business License for all short-term rentals (stays of 30 days or less). Only primary residences may operate as STRs. Hosts must post their license number on all listings. The license costs $43 initially and $26 for renewal every two years.
Short-term rentals in Aurora must comply with the citywide noise ordinance, and operators are responsible for guest conduct under the STR licensing program.
Aurora requires a building permit and electrical permit for all in-ground pools and for above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. State Public Pool rules (CRS 25-1.5-209) cover shared pools.
Hot tubs and spas in Aurora require a building and electrical permit. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 may substitute for a 4-foot barrier under the ISPSC.
All pools and spas over 24 inches deep in Aurora must be surrounded by a 4-foot barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates per the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Aurora pools must meet ISPSC barrier, anti-entrapment, and alarm requirements. Public and HOA pools follow Colorado Public Swimming Pool rules including lifeguard and water-quality standards.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require a building permit, a 4-foot barrier (or lockable ladder with 48-inch wall), and electrical permit for pumps or heaters.
Aurora requires a minimum 5-foot barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates around all swimming pools and spas over 24 inches deep, per the adopted International Residential Code. Barriers must prevent unsupervised child access.
Aurora prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences in residential districts. Approved residential materials include wood, vinyl, wrought iron, composite, and masonry. Temporary chain-link and orange plastic fencing allowed only for construction.
Aurora fences must be maintained in good repair, plumb, and free of hazards. The UDO regulates height, setback, sight-distance, materials, and orientation. Finished side must face outward and posts must be set below frost line (typically 36 in).
Aurora requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet tall (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Engineered drawings are required for walls over 4 feet.
Aurora does not require a permit for most residential fences under 7 feet on private property. Fences over 7 feet, fences in easements, retaining walls over 4 feet, and pool barriers all require permits from the Building Division.
Aurora has no spite-fence statute, but shared boundary fences fall under Colorado common law. Owners must locate fences on their own property, face the finished side outward, and cannot block required sight triangles or drainage.
Aurora's UDO limits fence height to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards for residential zones. Corner lots have triangular sight-distance restrictions. Fences over 7 feet require a building permit.
Colorado law (CRS 38-12.6-102) bars HOAs from prohibiting Level 2 EV chargers at owner-occupied properties. Aurora requires permits for dedicated 240V charger installation and encourages EV-ready wiring in new construction.
Under CRS 42-4-1806 and Aurora City Code, a vehicle left on public property for more than 72 hours or on private property without permission for 72 hours is abandoned. Aurora tags, tows, and impounds abandoned vehicles.
Aurora has no general overnight parking ban on residential streets. Vehicles may be parked overnight subject to the 72-hour maximum, snow route restrictions, and any posted time-limited zones or permit-parking areas.
Aurora limits street parking to 72 consecutive hours in the same location. Vehicles must be moved at least one block after 72 hours. Street sweeping, snow routes, and posted time limits also apply.
Aurora enacted updated RV parking regulations on August 28, 2023. RVs may park on public streets for a maximum of 5 days. Travel trailers, campers, and motorized dwellings may not be used as dwelling units outside designated RV parks. RVs must park on paved surfaces, not lawns.
Aurora prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 12,000 lbs GVWR in residential zones. Smaller commercial vehicles (one per dwelling) may be parked on-site subject to UDO restrictions on signage, hours, and placement.
Aurora requires vehicles in residential driveways to be parked on an approved hard surface (concrete, asphalt, or pavers). Parking on lawns or unimproved areas of the front yard is prohibited under the Unified Development Ordinance.
Under CRS 33-6-131, intentionally feeding big-game wildlife including bears, deer, elk, and mountain lions is illegal statewide. Aurora also prohibits feeding coyotes, foxes, and raccoons and requires bear-resistant trash management.
Large livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) are limited to agriculturally zoned lots of 1 acre or more in Aurora. Standard residential lots may keep only chickens, rabbits, and small caged animals under the small-livestock permit.
Aurora City Code Chapter 14 incentivizes spay-neuter through tiered pet licensing fees, with significantly higher fees for intact dogs and cats, and mandatory sterilization for animals impounded multiple times.
Aurora City Code Chapter 14 requires cats over four months to be licensed and current on rabies, addresses at-large cats through impoundment and trap-neuter-return options, and limits households to four cats absent a multiple-animal permit.
Aurora City Code Chapter 14 limits the number of dogs and cats kept at a single residence, with combined limits enforced by Aurora Animal Services to prevent nuisance and hoarding conditions in residential zones.
Aurora Animal Services runs a coyote coexistence program emphasizing hazing techniques, secured trash, and feeding bans, coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on persistent aggressive coyote incidents in suburban neighborhoods near open space.
Aurora Animal Services investigates animal hoarding under Chapter 14 cruelty and neglect provisions, coordinating with Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas County authorities and Colorado Revised Statutes when conditions endanger animal welfare or public health.
Aurora encourages microchipping as part of annual pet licensing under Chapter 14, with chip numbers logged in the license database to expedite return-to-owner from the Aurora Animal Shelter and reduce impound durations.
Aurora permits backyard beekeeping with a permit. Up to 2 hives on lots under 1/2 acre, more on larger lots. Hives must be set back from property lines and registered with the state under the Colorado Apiary Act.
Aurora requires all dogs off the owner's property to be on a leash no longer than 10 feet under control of a person capable of restraining the dog. Retractable leashes are allowed only when locked at 10 feet or less.
Aurora's 16-year pit bull ban was repealed November 2021 after Ordinance 2021-45 passed City Council. Aurora no longer restricts dogs by breed. All dogs must be licensed, vaccinated, and controlled under the standard animal code.
Aurora allows up to 8 hens on residential lots — no roosters. Coops must be at least 15 feet from any dwelling on an adjoining lot, kept clean, and pass a city inspection. A small livestock permit is required.
Aurora prohibits ownership, sale, possession, or harboring of exotic, dangerous, and wild animals within city limits under City Code Section 14-8. This includes all venomous animals, large snakes over 6 feet, reptiles over 3 feet, primates, non-domestic felines, and most wild species. Ferrets are explicitly allowed.
Aurora allows licensed retail and medical marijuana stores only in specific commercial zones with 1,000-foot buffers from schools, daycares, and other dispensaries.
Colorado law allows adults 21+ to grow up to 6 marijuana plants per person (12 per household maximum) for personal use, with Aurora requiring indoor cultivation in locked spaces.
Aurora permits regulated marijuana delivery from licensed retailers to private residences within city limits, requiring state Marijuana Enforcement Division delivery permits and city endorsement under Title 13.
Aurora participates in Colorado social equity marijuana licensing under HB20-1424 and SB21-111, offering reduced fees and accelerator programs for applicants from communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition.
Aurora cannabis retail stores must maintain 1,000-foot buffer from schools, daycares, and residential treatment facilities under Title 13 licensing rules and Colorado state minimum buffer law.
Adults 21 and older may grow up to six marijuana plants per person, with no more than 12 total plants per residence under Colorado Amendment 64 and Aurora ordinance, regardless of household size.
Grading permits are required through Aurora Building Division for earthwork over 50 cubic yards or any work that alters drainage patterns affecting neighbors.
Aurora enforces MS4 stormwater regulations under City Code Chapter 138. Illicit discharges to storm drains are prohibited, and construction sites over 1 acre need permits.
Erosion and sediment control plans are required for any land disturbance of 1 acre or more, with BMPs like silt fencing, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances mandatory.
Aurora adopted its Climate Action Plan in 2021, setting community-wide greenhouse-gas reduction targets and guiding city investments in renewable energy, electrification, transit, and resilience to extreme heat and drought.
Aurora encourages reflective roofing and cool surfaces on new commercial buildings and major reroofs to reduce urban heat-island effects, lower cooling loads, and align with Climate Action Plan targets across the rapidly growing east-metro footprint.
Aurora applies sustainability criteria when purchasing goods, vehicles, and services, prioritizing energy-efficient equipment, low-emission fleet, recycled-content paper, and contractors that meet environmental performance standards consistent with the CAP.
Aurora pairs tree-canopy investment, cool surfaces, and shade-friendly site design to reduce urban heat-island effects, particularly in older neighborhoods and along Colfax and other commercial corridors with low canopy and large parking fields.
Aurora discourages prolonged motor-vehicle idling to reduce diesel particulate exposure and greenhouse-gas emissions, especially near schools, hospitals, and residential areas, consistent with Colorado air-quality programs and Front Range ozone-reduction goals.
Aurora has not enacted a citywide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, but the Climate Action Plan and Front Range ozone reduction goals encourage transitions to electric equipment for landscape contractors and homeowners working in residential zones.
Aurora participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates development in FEMA-designated flood zones (A, AE, AH) under City Code Chapter 70. A floodplain development permit is required for any construction in mapped flood areas. Substantial improvements (50%+ of structure value) require full floodplain compliance.
Arapahoe County is landlocked—no coastal rules apply. However, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Cherry Creek, Plum Creek, Sand Creek, and the Highline Canal receive riparian and floodplain protections. Buffer setbacks 50-100 ft from waterways. FEMA floodplain rules and Cherry Creek Watershed Regulation 72 govern development near water.
Aurora film productions requiring street closures must obtain a separate right-of-way permit, submit a traffic control plan, and fund police staffing.
Film productions in Aurora must comply with the city noise ordinance or obtain a noise variance; nighttime shoots in residential areas need special approval.
Aurora requires a film permit for commercial productions on public property, coordinated through the city with Colorado Film Office support.
Rent control is preempted statewide under CRS 38-12-301; neither Aurora nor any Colorado municipality may cap residential rents as of 2026.
Colorado HB 24-1098 requires just cause for most residential evictions and lease non-renewals effective April 2024, limiting landlord terminations to enumerated reasons.
Aurora requires landlords of 1-4 unit residential rentals to obtain a Residential Rental Housing License and pass periodic inspections under a 2023 program.
Aurora has not enacted a tenant relocation-assistance ordinance, so no city payment is owed when no-fault evictions, demolitions, or substantial renovations displace renters; tenants rely on Colorado's just-cause statute HB23-1171 and federal Uniform Relocation Act protections instead.
Aurora has not enacted a tenant anti-harassment ordinance comparable to Los Angeles or Oakland; tenants experiencing landlord intimidation, lockouts, or utility shutoffs rely on Colorado's Warranty of Habitability statute and CRS 38-12-510 prohibitions on retaliatory eviction.
Aurora has no city-specific security-deposit ordinance, so Colorado's statewide rules govern: deposits are capped indirectly through return-deadline statutes (CRS 38-12-103) and the 2023 cap on application fees, with treble damages available for wrongful retention.
Colorado's HB20-1332 made source-of-income a protected class statewide, prohibiting Aurora landlords from refusing applicants who pay rent with Section 8 vouchers, VASH vouchers, Social Security, child support, or other lawful non-employment income, with enforcement through the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
Aurora landlords may end tenancies without tenant fault only on the narrow grounds Colorado's HB23-1171 just-cause statute permits: substantial renovation, demolition, conversion to non-residential use, withdrawal from rental market, or owner or family move-in, each requiring 90 days written notice.
The Aurora Housing Authority administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for Aurora residents, while landlords are required by Colorado HB20-1332 to accept vouchers as a protected source of income; voucher waiting lists typically span two to three years.
Aurora has not enacted a cash-for-keys ordinance, so any move-out incentive a landlord offers a tenant is purely contractual; tenants retain the right to reject the offer and remain through any state-court eviction process under HB23-1171 just-cause grounds.
Aurora's Neighborhood Services enforces blight rules covering junk vehicles, tall weeds, debris, peeling paint, and broken windows; violators face escalating fines and abatement.
Trash and recycling carts must be stored out of public view except on collection day; carts may be placed at the curb after 6 PM the day before pickup.
Aurora property owners must clear snow from adjacent public sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends under City Code Section 138-151.
Aurora permits residential garage sales without a permit, limited to 3 sales per calendar year per address, each lasting no more than 3 consecutive days.
Vacant lots must be kept free of weeds over 6 inches, trash, and debris; owners are responsible for maintenance regardless of residency or use.
Aurora requires all licensed residential haulers to offer curbside single-stream recycling; participation is not yet mandatory for residents but is strongly encouraged.
Carts must be placed within 3 feet of the street curb with at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles, and lids fully closed to prevent litter.
Aurora residents subscribe with licensed private haulers; trash is typically collected weekly and recycling every other week, with set-out before 7 AM on collection day.
Most Aurora haulers offer bulk item pickup by appointment for items like furniture and appliances; the city also hosts Keep Aurora Beautiful cleanup events.
Aurora requires building and electrical permits for rooftop solar installations, typically issued within 2-3 weeks; most residential systems qualify for expedited review.
Colorado CRS 38-30-168 preempts HOAs from prohibiting solar panels; HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic guidelines but cannot effectively ban installations.
Food trucks need a Tri-County Health mobile food license, Aurora business license, and sales tax account; operation on private property requires owner permission.
Mobile vending in Aurora public rights-of-way is highly restricted; most operations occur on private property with owner approval, with time limits on public streets.
Aurora prohibits outdoor lighting that causes significant glare or spills substantial illumination onto neighboring residential properties under nuisance provisions.
Aurora requires outdoor lighting to be fully shielded and directed downward for new commercial and multi-family projects; residential lighting has fewer restrictions.
Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification; operators must have a Remote Pilot Certificate and coordinate DIA airspace via LAANC.
FAA rules govern drone flight; Aurora bans takeoff and landing in city parks without permission and prohibits flight over crowds or near DIA's 5-mile airspace.
Elevators in Aurora buildings are regulated under CRS 9-5-101 and Colorado conveyance rules, requiring state registration, annual inspections, and licensed mechanics.
Aurora follows CRS 25-4-1602 and EPA RRP rules requiring certified renovators for lead-paint work in pre-1978 housing.
Aurora City Code Chapter 22 adopts the International Building Code and International Fire Code requiring NFPA 13D fire sprinklers in new townhomes and certain multi-family buildings, with retrofit triggers for major remodels and change-of-occupancy projects.
Aurora City Code Chapter 22 and Chapter 50 require egress doors to open from the inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge, prohibit double-cylinder deadbolts in many occupancies, and require panic hardware on assembly and high-occupancy spaces.
Aurora requires scaffold permits for installations over a defined height or extending into the public right-of-way, enforces OSHA-aligned safety standards through Chapter 22 building code, and coordinates right-of-way encroachments with Public Works.
Aurora City Code Chapter 22 adopts the International Energy Conservation Code and aligns with the Aurora Climate Action Plan, requiring insulation, fenestration, mechanical-system efficiency, and EV-ready provisions for new construction across single-family and multi-family projects.
Aurora property maintenance standards under Chapter 22 and Chapter 62 housing rules require building owners to keep structures free from rats, cockroaches, bed bugs, and other vermin, with code enforcement issuing correction notices when infestations endanger occupants.
Aurora controls oversized residential additions through Unified Development Ordinance lot-coverage and floor-area-ratio limits, plus Chapter 22 building code review, with stricter standards in legacy neighborhoods to preserve scale and solar access.
Aurora childcare centers must meet I-4 occupancy standards under the adopted International Building Code via Chapter 22, with fire sprinklers, second means of egress, smoke detection, and Aurora Fire Rescue inspections, alongside Colorado Department of Early Childhood licensing.
Aurora HOA boards operate under Colorado CCIOA (CRS 38-33.3) requiring open meetings, notice, minutes, and member participation rights.
Aurora HOA architectural committees follow CCIOA and HB 22-1137, which limits arbitrary denials and protects solar, xeriscape, and flag display rights.
HB 22-1137 significantly reformed CCR enforcement in Aurora HOAs, capping fines, requiring multiple notices, and limiting attorney fee pass-through.
Colorado CCIOA requires Aurora HOAs to offer informal dispute resolution and written covenant enforcement policies before fines or legal action.
HOA assessments in Aurora are governed by CCIOA; HB 22-1137 caps late fees, limits interest, and restricts foreclosure for unpaid dues.
Holiday decorations and temporary lighting are generally permitted on private property without permits, subject to light trespass and safety rules.
Aurora allows political signs on private property with content-neutral rules; signs must be under 32 square feet in residential zones and removed within 10 days after the election.
Garage sale signs are allowed on private property during the sale but prohibited in public rights-of-way, medians, and attached to utility poles or traffic signs.
Door-to-door solicitors in Aurora must obtain a Solicitor License from the Tax and Licensing Division, carry ID badges, and respect No Soliciting signs.
Residents can post No Soliciting signs at entrances to legally bar commercial solicitors; violating a posted sign is a municipal offense subject to citation.
Aurora regulates street trees and public right-of-way trees through Forestry; private residential trees are largely owner-managed but subject to nuisance rules.
Aurora regulates tree removal under Chapter 138 of the City Code, with permit requirements for street trees and protected trees on development sites, and replacement standards that support canopy goals across new and existing neighborhoods.
Arapahoe County does not have a formal heritage tree program, but Aurora's Forestry Division and Cherry Hills Village protect significant specimen trees. The Colorado Tree Coalition maintains a Champion Tree registry. Mature cottonwoods in Cherry Creek corridor receive informal preservation through landscape review.
Aurora, Centennial, and Cherry Hills Village require replacement of permitted tree removals in public right-of-way and subdivisions. Replacement ratios 1:1 to 3:1 with 2-inch caliper minimum. Colorado native and drought-tolerant species preferred. Fee-in-lieu to city tree fund permitted.
Aurora requires a mobile food or sidewalk vendor license from the city plus Tri-County Health approval for food sales.
Pushcart vendors in Aurora need a city vendor license, Tri-County Health permit, and must meet equipment, storage, and hours-of-operation rules.
Aurora restricts vending in residential areas, near schools, and in certain rights-of-way; parks and special event zones require additional permits.
Aurora coordinates encampment cleanups through Public Works, Aurora Police, and Mile High United Way Continuum of Care outreach, providing 72-hour posted notice, on-site service offers, and 30-day storage of personal property removed during sanitation operations.
Aurora's bridge-housing capacity centers on Salvation Army Crossroads (340 beds) and Comitis Crisis Center (140 beds, family-focused), connected via Mile High United Way Continuum of Care coordinated entry; intake requires sobriety evaluation, ID processing, and a 90-day case plan.
Aurora City Code Section 94-71 prohibits unauthorized camping on public property and restricts prolonged sitting or lying in public rights-of-way, with exceptions for medical emergencies and APD-led outreach to connect unhoused residents with Mile High United Way Continuum of Care services.
Aurora requires retailers selling vape and e-cigarette products to obtain a city tobacco retail license, comply with state CRS 44-7-103.5 age verification, and limit advertising visible to minors.
Aurora prohibits sale of tobacco, vape, and nicotine products to anyone under 21 under Colorado SB19-033 and CRS 44-7-103.5, the state Tobacco 21 law that preempts lower local age limits.
Colorado does not impose a statewide flavored tobacco ban, but home rule cities and counties may prohibit flavored vape and tobacco product sales locally.
Aurora retailers charge a 10-cent fee per disposable plastic or paper bag and may not provide single-use plastic carryout bags as of January 2024 under Colorado HB21-1162 statewide preemption.
Aurora prohibits restaurants and retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers under Colorado HB21-1162, effective January 2024 with no exemption for small businesses.
Aurora restaurants follow Colorado guidance encouraging plastic straws by request only, reducing waste while allowing accessibility accommodations for disabled patrons under Tri-County Health and city sustainability programs.
Aurora encourages food service businesses to provide disposable plastic utensils, condiments, and napkins only on customer request as part of voluntary waste reduction under the Aurora Climate Action Plan.
Aurora property owners must control rats, mice, and pest infestations under Aurora Code Chapter 62 and Tri-County Health rules, with code enforcement empowered to order abatement at owner expense.
Aurora retail food establishments must employ certified food protection managers under Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules, with all food handlers trained on safe practices to prevent foodborne illness.
Aurora residents may dispose of used syringes and sharps at designated drop-off locations and through household sharps containers, following Colorado CDPHE guidance and Tri-County Health programs.
Tri-County Health Department inspects Aurora restaurants and posts results online, with critical violation reports public on the Tri-County portal under Colorado retail food establishment rules.
Aurora landlords must investigate tenant bed bug reports within 96 hours and treat infestations under Colorado HB19-1328, with tenants entitled to notice before adjacent units are inspected.
Aurora Water offers rebates and technical assistance to customers who replace high-water turfgrass with low-water landscapes, helping the utility meet long-term demand goals as Colorado River supplies face structural shortage.
Aurora operates the Prairie Waters Project to reuse treated effluent and South Platte return flows, supplementing potable supply, and uses non-potable recycled water for parks, medians, and select industrial customers under state regulations.
Aurora Water enforces a tiered outdoor-watering schedule that limits residential and commercial irrigation to specific days and hours, conserving Colorado River and South Platte supplies during the high-demand summer season.
Aurora Water encourages customers to report visible leaks promptly, offers leak-adjustment credits in qualifying cases, and uses smart-meter alerts to flag continuous flow that may indicate plumbing or irrigation problems on private property.
The Aurora Unified Development Ordinance, adopted in 2018 as Chapter 146, consolidates zoning, subdivision, and design standards into a single code, with overlay districts and area plans guiding original Aurora, the Anschutz campus, and east-side growth corridors.
Aurora promotes transit-oriented development around RTD R Line light-rail stations, allowing higher densities, mixed uses, and reduced parking near major stops on Iliff, Florida, Aurora Metro Center, and the Anschutz medical district.
Aurora maintains a growing network of bike lanes, multiuse trails, and on-street bikeways, with state and local rules requiring motorists to yield to cyclists in marked lanes and to leave at least three feet when passing.
Aurora regulates shared electric scooters and bikes through operator agreements that set deployment caps, parking standards, low-income access requirements, and data-sharing rules for trips originating in the city.
Aurora requires tobacco retailers to obtain a city license and follow Colorado's age-21 sales rule under CRS 44-7-103.5, with annual fees and routine compliance checks by Aurora Tax and Licensing.
Aurora regulates massage businesses under Chapter 26 with city licensing requirements layered on top of Colorado state therapist registration through DORA, including background checks and inspection authority.
Tow operators in Aurora must hold a city business license and a Colorado Public Utilities Commission towing carrier permit, with strict rate, signage, and storage rules for nonconsensual tows from private property.
Tattoo and piercing studios in Aurora need a city business license plus a Tri-County Health-successor body art establishment permit, with sterilization and bloodborne pathogen rules under Colorado public health law.
Aurora secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers must obtain a city license, hold purchased items for a state-mandated period, and report transactions to law enforcement under Colorado precious-metals and pawn statutes.
Colorado Amendment 64 legalized adult cannabis but bans public consumption, and Aurora enforces this with municipal penalties for smoking, vaping, or eating cannabis on streets, parks, and other public spaces.
Aurora prohibits aggressive panhandling that involves threats, physical contact, or blocking pedestrians, while passive solicitation remains protected speech under federal precedent and Colorado constitutional law.
Aurora follows the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act and bans smoking and vaping in city parks, near building entrances, and at outdoor public events, with both tobacco and cannabis subject to the rules.
Aurora addresses unruly gatherings through its noise ordinance and a loud-party response process under Chapter 78, allowing Aurora Police to issue warnings, citations, and cost-recovery for repeat call-outs to the same address.
Aurora has not adopted a city-specific minimum wage and follows Colorado's statewide rate of 14.81 dollars per hour, which is indexed for inflation, with local authority allowed under CRS 8-6-101.5 since 2019.
Aurora workers are covered by Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), which provides up to 48 hours of accrued paid sick leave per year for nearly all employees, regardless of employer size since 2022.
Colorado has no statewide predictive scheduling law but permits local governments to adopt fair workweek and advance notice scheduling ordinances for employers.
Aurora is not a formal sanctuary city but operates under the Colorado Trust Act, which limits state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, especially civil ICE detainers without judicial warrants.
Colorado does not mandate E-Verify for private employers and Aurora has no city ordinance requiring its use, though federal contractors and some defense suppliers near Buckley Space Force Base must enroll under federal acquisition rules.
Aurora adopts the 2021 International Fire Code under Aurora City Code Chapter 66 (Fire Prevention and Protection). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal burners, propane grills, and other open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in multifamily buildings (Group R-1 hotels and R-2 apartments and condos). Aurora Fire Rescue specifically calls out this rule: barbecue grills are forbidden in multifamily occupancies except in fully sprinklered buildings or when fueled by a single 1-pound camping propane cylinder.
Aurora has no code section specifically targeting residential smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens beyond the general IFC 308 open-flame rules adopted in Aurora City Code Chapter 66. Single-family backyard smoker use is allowed during Stage 1 burn restrictions. Charcoal and wood-burning smokers on multifamily balconies are barred under IFC 308.1.4. The Colorado Regional Air Quality Council can declare winter Action Days that restrict residential wood burning, including wood-fired smokers, in Aurora.
An outdoor kitchen in Aurora typically requires a building permit when it exceeds 120 sq ft, includes a roof or pergola, or is attached to the house. Gas line extensions need a mechanical permit, electrical receptacles need an electrical permit, and any potable water and drain piping require plumbing permits. Detached accessory structures under 120 sq ft may sit within the required side and rear setbacks but must be at least 3 ft from any property line under Aurora UDO 146-4.2.3. Structures over 120 sq ft need 5 ft side and rear setbacks.
Aurora has no ordinance limiting the duration, brightness, or hours of residential holiday lighting on private property. The Aurora UDO Section 146-4.9 (Exterior Lighting) regulates commercial and multifamily lighting and applies generally to nuisance light trespass, but does not impose take-down deadlines or color rules on single-family residences. Amplified outdoor sound synced to lights must comply with Aurora City Code 94-107 (Unnecessary Noise). HOA CC&Rs in deed-restricted neighborhoods typically set firmer rules.
Aurora imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The Sign Code in UDO 146-4.8 exempts non-commercial residential displays from permit and size requirements. Political signs receive First Amendment protection and are governed by UDO 146-4.8 limits. HOA CC&Rs in deed-restricted neighborhoods often add architectural-review requirements that the city does not.
Aurora has no ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, motor noise, and lighting hours are not capped by the city for private property displays. The constraints are generally applicable: Aurora City Code 94-107 (Unnecessary Noise) for blower motors after 10 pm, UDO 146-4.4 sight-distance requirements at corner lots, and Title 12 right-of-way rules if placed on the public sidewalk. HOA CC&Rs typically impose stricter limits.
Aurora City Code §46-451 limits garage sales to 3 per calendar year per household. Centennial and Littleton follow 3-4 per year standards. Unincorporated Arapahoe County has no specific frequency cap but repeated sales may trigger unlicensed retail classification. Each sale limited to 3 consecutive days.
Aurora City Code §46-451 limits garage sale hours to 8 AM to dusk. Centennial and Littleton follow 8 AM to 6 PM typical. Weekends (Friday-Sunday) most common. Merchandise and signs must be removed same day. Items left at curb may trigger property maintenance violations.
Aurora, Centennial, and most Arapahoe County cities do NOT require permits for residential garage sales if within frequency and signage limits. No permit needed in unincorporated county. Sales must be personal property only—not commercially purchased inventory. HOAs may impose additional rules.
Arapahoe County residential zones typically limit structures to 35 feet or 2.5 stories per Land Development Code §3-2. Aurora UDO §146-4 follows 35 ft residential standard. Cherry Hills Village restricts to 32 ft to preserve view corridors. DIA flight-path zones impose additional FAA Part 77 height limits.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §3-2 limits lot coverage: R-1 typically 35%, R-2 40%, R-A (rural) 20%. Aurora UDO §146-4 limits R-1 to 40% coverage. Cherry Creek watershed properties face additional impervious surface limits. Stormwater management triggered at 50%+ impervious.
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §3-2 establishes setbacks by zoning district. R-1: 25 ft front, 7 ft side, 25 ft rear. Aurora City Code and Centennial Municipal Code set similar standards. Cherry Hills Village mandates substantially larger setbacks (50+ ft front) preserving semi-rural character.
Aurora enforces a juvenile curfew under City Code §94-326 for minors under 18: 11 PM-5 AM Sun-Thu, midnight-5 AM Fri-Sat. Parents liable for violations. Exceptions: work, school events, emergencies, accompanied by adult. Centennial and Littleton have similar curfews. Unincorporated Arapahoe County has no specific curfew.
Arapahoe County Open Space parks close at sunset unless otherwise posted. Cherry Creek State Park closes at 10 PM or posted hours. Aurora parks close 11 PM to 5 AM. Centennial parks close dusk to 5 AM. After-hours presence is trespassing enforceable by the Arapahoe County Sheriff or city police.
Colorado requires a concealed handgun permit issued by the county sheriff to carry a concealed firearm in public, with training and background check requirements.
Colorado repealed firearms preemption in 2021, allowing cities and counties to enact local gun regulations stricter than state law in most circumstances.
Colorado generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a license, though local jurisdictions may impose restrictions in specific areas after the 2021 preemption repeal.
Colorado allows adults legally able to possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private vehicle for lawful protection without a permit under CRS 18-12-105.5.
Colorado counties zone agricultural lands under state planning laws while preserving farm operations through Right to Farm protections and local agricultural overlays.
Colorado's Right to Farm Act under CRS 35-3.5-102 shields agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when they follow generally accepted practices and predate complaints.