What Aurora Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Aurora is a mid-sized city in Arapahoe County, Colorado, with about 386000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 198 ordinances across 41 categories that affect daily life in Aurora.

Cannabis Regulations

Buffer Zones: 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..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (strict), Home Cultivation (moderate), Cannabis Delivery Rules (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Aurora for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: 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..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Aurora for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: 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..

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Erosion Control (strict), Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Aurora for details.

Filming & Production

Street Closures: Aurora film productions requiring street closures must obtain a separate right-of-way permit, submit a traffic control plan, and fund police staffing..

Also covered: Production Noise (strict), Location Permits (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for Aurora for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: 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..

Also covered: Industrial Noise (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive), Outdoor Music (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Aurora for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Tiny homes on foundations are treated as ADUs or primary dwellings in Aurora; tiny homes on wheels are generally limited to licensed RV parks..

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Owner Occupancy (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Aurora for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Rent control is preempted statewide under CRS 38-12-301; neither Aurora nor any Colorado municipality may cap residential rents as of 2026..

Also covered: Rental Registration (moderate), Just Cause Eviction (strict), Relocation Assistance (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Aurora for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: 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..

Also covered: Artificial Turf (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Aurora for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Aurora prohibits exterior signs, displays, or advertising for home occupations. No outside indication of the business is allowed from the street or neighboring property..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (strict), Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Aurora for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Aurora's Neighborhood Services enforces blight rules covering junk vehicles, tall weeds, debris, peeling paint, and broken windows; violators face escalating fines and abatement..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Aurora for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Aurora requires all licensed residential haulers to offer curbside single-stream recycling; participation is not yet mandatory for residents but is strongly encouraged..

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Aurora for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Aurora requires building and electrical permits for rooftop solar installations, typically issued within 2-3 weeks; most residential systems qualify for expedited review..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Aurora for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Insurance Requirements: 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..

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Registration Rules (strict), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Aurora for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: 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..

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Aurora for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: 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..

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Aurora for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Aurora prohibits outdoor lighting that causes significant glare or spills substantial illumination onto neighboring residential properties under nuisance provisions..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Aurora for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: 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..

Also covered: Fence Requirements (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Aurora for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification; operators must have a Remote Pilot Certificate and coordinate DIA airspace via LAANC..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Aurora for details.

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: 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..

Also covered: Elevator Maintenance (strict), Lead Paint (strict), Door Locking Hardware (strict). See the full building safety guide for Aurora for details.

HOA Rules

Board Procedures: Aurora HOA boards operate under Colorado CCIOA (CRS 38-33.3) requiring open meetings, notice, minutes, and member participation rights..

Also covered: Architectural Review (moderate), CC&R Enforcement (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Aurora for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Holiday decorations and temporary lighting are generally permitted on private property without permits, subject to light trespass and safety rules..

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Aurora for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: 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..

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (strict), Livestock (strict), Mandatory Spay/Neuter (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Aurora for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: 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..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Aurora for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: 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..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (permissive), EV Charging (permissive), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Aurora for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Ordinances: Aurora regulates street trees and public right-of-way trees through Forestry; private residential trees are largely owner-managed but subject to nuisance rules..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Aurora for details.

Street Vending

Vendor Permits: Aurora requires a mobile food or sidewalk vendor license from the city plus Tri-County Health approval for food sales..

Also covered: Cart & Stand Rules (moderate), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full street vending guide for Aurora for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: 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..

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (moderate), Bridge Housing Siting (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Aurora for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: 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..

Also covered: Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Aurora for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: 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..

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (strict), Plastic Straw Rules (moderate), Utensils-On-Request (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for Aurora for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: 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..

Also covered: Food Handler Certification (moderate), Syringe Disposal (permissive), Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Aurora for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: 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..

Also covered: Turf Replacement Rebates (permissive), Recycled Water Rules (moderate), Leak Reporting Duty (permissive). See the full water use rules guide for Aurora for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Specific Plans Overview: 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..

Also covered: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Aurora for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Bike Lane Rules: 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..

Also covered: Shared E-Scooter Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Aurora for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: 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..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (moderate), Towing Companies (moderate), Tattoo & Body Modification (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Aurora for details.

Public Conduct

Public Marijuana Use: 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..

Also covered: Aggressive Panhandling (moderate), Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate), Loud Party Ordinance (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Aurora for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: 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..

Also covered: Paid Leave Preemption (moderate). See the full employment preemption guide for Aurora for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: Aurora classifies businesses for sales, use, and occupational tax under Chapter 130, with separate treatment for retailers, service providers, contractors, and short-term rental hosts, all administered by Aurora Tax and Licensing..

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: 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..

Also covered: E-Verify Mandates (permissive). See the full immigration policy guide for Aurora for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Hotel and short-term rental stays in Aurora carry roughly a 13 percent combined lodging tax, layering Aurora's 2 percent city lodging tax, an 8 percent Adams or Arapahoe County lodging tax, and the 2.9 percent Colorado state sales tax..

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane 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).

Also covered: Smoker Rules (moderate), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Aurora for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: 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.

Also covered: Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive), Inflatable Display Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Aurora for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Aurora, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.