Animal Ordinances in Aurora, CO (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Aurora, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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 Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
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 Dog Leash Law
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Aurora's 16-year pit bull ban was repealed November 2021 after Ordinance 2021-45 passed City Council.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Aurora Breed Restrictions (Pit Bull Ban Repealed 2021)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
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 Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
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 Exotic & Wild Animal Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
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.
Aurora Wildlife Feeding Ban (Bears & Coyotes)
Heavy RestrictionsLivestock
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 Livestock Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal 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.
Aurora Animal Hoarding Enforcement
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
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 Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
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 Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
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 Spay-Neuter Licensing Incentive
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
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 Pet Microchipping and Licensing
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
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 Coyote Coexistence Program
Some RestrictionsLooking for Arapahoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Aurora city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Arapahoe County →