Aurora, CO Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- City Code Art. XV, Health & Housing Code
- Vacate deadline
- 15 days after unsafe placard
- Applies to
- rental and owner-occupied dwellings alike
- Enforcement
- city manager/code official; abatement + lien
- Current through
- Ord. No. 2026-17 (5-18-2026)
Summary
Aurora's Health and Housing Code (City Code Article XV) lets code officials declare any residential structure 'unfit for human habitation' when it is unsafe, unsanitary, vermin-infested, or lacks heat, water, or ventilation, and can order it vacated within 15 days.
A structure is unfit for human habitation whenever the code official finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth or contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities, running water, or other essential equipment required by this article, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-30, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 22-610, Aurora code officials can find a structure unfit for human habitation for being unsafe, unlawful, unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, or lacking ventilation, illumination, heating, or running water. Owners must keep rental and owner-occupied dwellings alike in a clean, sanitary, safe condition and free of pest infestation under Sec. 22-571. Where a hazard is imminent, the city manager can placard a structure as unsafe without prior notice and require occupants to vacate within 15 days under Sec. 22-606; the placard stays until the board of adjustment and appeals, or the city manager, confirms the defects are fixed. Uncorrected hazards can lead to abatement proceedings and a lien on the property under Sec. 22-608.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or maintaining a substandard dwelling is unlawful under Sec. 22-570. Unresolved hazards trigger placarding, forced vacancy within 15 days, and abatement action that can place a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aurora's habitability code cover rental housing?
What happens if my rental is declared unfit for habitation?
Who enforces this in Aurora?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado rental property rules overview
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