Home Business in Aurora, CO

If you live in Aurora or are thinking about moving there, home business are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Aurora has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of home business, and some of them might surprise you.

Home Daycare

Aurora's zoning code allows in-home day care for children from birth to 16 as an accessory use in residential zone districts, provided the facility holds the required state license.

Key details: Age range served: Birth to 16 years. Zoning status: Permitted accessory use. Licensing authority: Colorado Dept. of Human Services. Governing instrument: Aurora UDO, not City Code.

Operating an unlicensed home day care violates state child care licensing law; the City can also enforce the UDO's accessory-use standards through its normal zoning code enforcement process, including notice-and-correction orders and municipal citations for unpermitted or noncompliant home occupations.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Aurora, Colorado allows home occupations in dwellings only if the business stays incidental, invisible from outside, and limited to residents.

Key details: Governing provision: UDO § 146-3.3.6.J. Who may work on-site: Residents of the dwelling only. Signage/exterior evidence: None permitted. Clients on-site at once: Limited to one. Excluded uses: Day care, health clinic, kennel, hemp processing.

A home occupation that violates these standards is an illegal use subject to Aurora's zoning enforcement process, including notice, correction orders, and potential fines for continued noncompliance.

Cottage Food Operations

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.

Key details: State law: CRS 25-4-1614. Sales cap: $10,000 per product annually. Allowed foods: Non-hazardous baked, jams, honey. Training: Approved food safety course. Aurora license: Home occupation plus sales tax.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://cdphe.colorado.gov/cottage-foods-act) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Aurora gives residents more flexibility on cottage food operations.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Aurora, Colorado limits home occupations to invited visitors only and bars traffic beyond what a residential street normally sees.

Key details: Public solicitation: prohibited, invitation-only. Clients at one time: limited to one. Traffic standard: no more than normal residential. Signage: no external advertising.

Zoning code enforcement can cite an unpermitted home occupation as a zoning violation; repeat or unresolved traffic/nuisance complaints can lead to loss of home-occupation eligibility.

The Bottom Line

Aurora's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Aurora is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Aurora's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.