Accessory Structures in Aurora, CO (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Aurora, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Aurora allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot, but only on alley-served lots over 6,000 square feet, capped at 650 square feet.
Aurora, CO Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsAurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-3.3.6.G
a. Accessory dwelling units are permitted only on lots served by an alley. b. Accessory dwelling units are permitted only on lot containing, and must be accessory to, one single-family dwelling. c. Only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per single-family detached dwelling. d. Each accessory dwelling unit must be detached from the primary dwelling; attached accessory dwelling units are no...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance requires the property owner to live in either the primary house or the detached accessory dwelling unit: a backyard ADU can't be a pure rental with an absentee owner.
Aurora ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsAurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-3.3.6.G.1.l
l. The property owner shall occupy either the primary dwelling unit or accessory dwelling.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Aurora's UDO allows a backyard accessory dwelling unit to be rented short-term only if the property owner lives in the primary house; City Code caps entire-home short-term rentals at 180 days a year but exempts owner-occupied ADUs.
Aurora, CO ADU Short-Term Rental Rules
Some RestrictionsAurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-3.3.6.G.1.n
Accessory dwelling units may be used as short-term rentals by a property owner who is living in the primary structure on the property. o. Each detached accessory dwelling unit shall comply with all setbacks applicable to other accessory structures, except that the required setback for an accessory dwelling unit located on top of an existing garage shall be no less than the setback of t...
Shed & Carport Rules
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.
Carport Setback Rules in Aurora, CO
Some RestrictionsAurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-4.2.3.F.3
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.
Tiny Homes
Aurora, Colorado treats tiny houses as manufactured housing under its Unified Development Ordinance, restricting them to the R-MH Manufactured Home Park zone district with foundation, utility and minimum-area rules.
Tiny House Rules in Aurora, Colorado
Significant RestrictionsAurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-2.3.6.D
All Tiny House Dwellings shall have wheels removed, shall be installed on a permanent foundation, and shall be connected to City water, sewer, and electric utilities before occupancy for a period of more than 30 consecutive days. 2. Minimum Area Per Dwelling Unit. a. The use must contain a defined area for the use of each dwelling unit. b. No Manufactured Home, Pre-1976 ...
Looking for Arapahoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Aurora city rules.
Accessory Structures in Arapahoe County →