Aurora's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Aurora, Colorado, there are 13 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
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.
Key details: Minimum coverage: At least $1 million liability typical. Homeowner's policy: Usually excludes STR activity. Platform programs: AirCover or Vrbo can qualify. Certificate: May be required at application. Lapse: Grounds for license suspension.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/licensing/short_term_rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is one of the stricter rules in Aurora's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Parking Rules
Aurora short-term rentals must provide adequate off-street parking and follow city parking rules, with no overnight RV parking on residential streets.
Key details: Off-street required: Typically 2 spaces for single family. 72-hour rule: No continuous street parking beyond 72 hours. RV parking: Not allowed overnight on residential streets. Yard parking: Must be on paved or approved surface. Permit zones: Some Anschutz area streets restrict parking.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/residents/planning/unified_development_ordinance) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Registration Rules
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.
Key details: License required: Before first guest stay. Renewal: Annual with fee. Listing display: License number required on all platforms. Transfer: Not transferable on sale. Unlicensed penalty: Fines per night plus cease and desist.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/licensing/short_term_rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Aurora actively enforces its registration rules requirements.
Taxes & Fees
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.
Key details: City sales tax: 3.75 percent Aurora rate. State sales tax: 2.9 percent Colorado. Lodger's tax: Additional city lodging tax on short stays. License fee: Annual STR business license fee. County tax: Varies by Arapahoe, Adams, or Douglas.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/taxes) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Occupancy Limits
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.
Key details: Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 typical. Daytime guests: Capped above overnight count. Events: Not allowed without separate permit. Bedroom standards: Must meet egress and size code. Enforcement: Aurora Tax and Licensing.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/licensing/short_term_rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Aurora actively enforces its occupancy limits requirements.
Night Caps
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.
Key details: Primary STR: Generally no night cap in Aurora. Non-primary STR: May have zoning density limits. State law: CRS 24-33-108 allows local regulation. Reporting: Night counts tracked via tax filings. Policy subject to change: City Council reviews periodically.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/licensing/short_term_rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Host Presence Rule
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.
Key details: Host on-site required: No. Primary residence required: Yes. Local contact response: Within 1 hour. Code chapter: Aurora Code Ch. 26.5.
Operating without an active STR license, failing to maintain a 24/7 responsible-party contact, or renting a non-primary-residence dwelling triggers fines up to 1,000 dollars per day and license revocation under Ch. 26.5.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Aurora gives residents more flexibility on host presence rule.
Repeat Violator Strikes
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.
Key details: Strike window: 12 months. Strikes to revoke: Three substantiated. Reapplication bar: 24 months. Appeal deadline: 15 days.
Continuing to operate after revocation, transferring the license to a relative to evade the bar, or failing to remove the platform listing triggers escalating fines up to 2,650 dollars per day plus criminal misdemeanor charges.
This is one of the stricter rules in Aurora's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Primary-Residence-Only Rule
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.
Key details: Owner-occupancy threshold: 185 days per year. Investor STRs allowed: No. Tenant STRs allowed: With landlord consent. Proof documents required: Two of four listed.
Misrepresenting primary residence on an STR application is municipal fraud, results in immediate license revocation, a one-year reapplication bar, and fines of up to 2,650 dollars per violation under Aurora's general penalty schedule.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Aurora actively enforces its primary-residence-only rule requirements.
Host Platform Liability
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.
Key details: License number display: Required on listing. Roster reporting: Monthly. Takedown deadline: Five business days. Tax remittance: Platform-collected.
Platforms failing to display license numbers, transmit monthly rosters, remit collected lodgers tax, or honor takedown notices face 1,000 dollar per day per listing penalties plus injunctive enforcement through the Aurora City Attorney.
This is one of the stricter rules in Aurora's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Extended Home Share
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.
Key details: Unhosted annual cap: 240 nights. Hosted nights cap: No cap. Reporting cadence: Monthly lodgers tax. Audit tool: Granicus Host Compliance.
Exceeding the 240-night unhosted cap triggers license suspension, retroactive lodgers-tax penalties, and fines up to 1,000 dollars per excess night under Ch. 26.5 enforcement provisions.
Permit Requirements
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.
Key details: License Required: General Business License. Fee: $43 initial, $26 renewal. Primary Residence: Required. Max Days/Year: 180 (entire home).
Operating without a license: booking service providers face civil penalties of $1,000 per violation per day under Ordinance 2024-41. Unlicensed listings will be blocked from hosting.
This is one of the stricter rules in Aurora's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Noise Rules
Short-term rentals in Aurora must comply with the citywide noise ordinance, and operators are responsible for guest conduct under the STR licensing program.
Key details: Noise limits: Same as Chapter 94 residential. Operator response: Typically within 60 minutes of complaint. Local contact: Must be posted inside unit. License risk: Revocation after repeat violations. Listing requirement: License number must be shown online.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/licensing/short_term_rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is one of the stricter rules in Aurora's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
Aurora is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 13 rules covered here, 8 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Aurora, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
This guide is based on Aurora's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.