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Aurora, CO Frost Depth & Snow Load: Building Design Criteria (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Seismic design category (IRC)
B
Weathering
Severe
Winter design temperature
1°F
Ice barrier underlayment
Required
Exposure category
Site-specific: per IRC R301.2.1.4 or IBC 1609.4.3
Flood hazard
Varies: see City Code Chapter 70

Summary

Aurora's design criteria sheet sets seismic category B, Severe weathering, a 1°F winter design temperature and, unlike neighbouring Denver, requires ice barrier underlayment.

CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR THE 2021 I-CODES: Special Wind Region No; Topographic Effects No; Exposure Category IRC R301.2.1.4 or IBC 1609.4.3; Seismic Design Category (IRC) B; Weathering Severe; Minimum Frost Depth for Foundations 36 inches; Winter Design Temperature 1 DEGREE (F); Ice Barrier Underlayment Required Yes; Flood Hazard Varies - See City Code Chapter 70.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Aurora's Building Division publishes the full set of climatic and geographic criteria for the 2021 I-Codes in one sheet. The seismic design category for residential work is B and weathering is Severe, which governs the freeze-thaw durability of concrete and masonry. The winter design temperature is 1°F. Exposure category is not fixed on the sheet but determined per IRC R301.2.1.4 or IBC 1609.4.3, meaning it is a site-specific judgement rather than a citywide constant. Flood hazard is likewise not a single value: the sheet records that it varies and refers to City Code Chapter 70. The entry most worth noting is ice barrier underlayment, which Aurora requires, the neighbouring City and County of Denver does not, so a detail carried over from a Denver project will be wrong here.

Violations & Fines

These criteria are enforced at plan review and inspection rather than as offences in themselves. The ice barrier requirement is the one that most often surfaces late, because it is a roofing detail rather than a structural number and is easy to omit when reusing drawings prepared for a neighbouring jurisdiction that does not require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Aurora require ice barrier underlayment?
Yes. The city's design criteria sheet marks it as required, which differs from neighbouring Denver, where it is not.
What seismic design category applies?
Category B for residential work under the IRC, per Aurora's published criteria.
Is there a single exposure category for Aurora?
No. The sheet says exposure category is determined under IRC R301.2.1.4 or IBC 1609.4.3, so it is assessed for the specific site rather than fixed citywide.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Aurora

Frost Line DepthSome RestrictionsGround Snow LoadSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue PermitsSome Restrictions

All Aurora rules

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