Aurora, CO Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted by right
- R-R, AD, APZ, I-1, I-2 zones only
- Minimum parcel size
- Larger than 5 acres
- Conditional use required
- R-2 and R-3 districts
- License/permit on unplatted land
- None required
- Smaller-scale growing
- Governed separately as Urban Agriculture
Summary
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance allows agriculture by right only in the R-R Rural Residential district and a handful of industrial/airport zones, requires no business license on unplatted land, and defines the use as needing more than five acres.
A. Agriculture. No business license or use permit is required for this use when conducted on unplatted land.
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
Aurora's UDO Permitted Use Table (Table 3.2-1) lists "Agriculture" as permitted (P) only in the R-R, AD, APZ, I-1, and I-2 districts; it's a conditional use (C) in R-2 and R-3, and not listed at all in R-1, R-4, or the mixed-use districts. Section 146-3.3.4.A exempts agriculture from any business license or use permit when conducted on unplatted land. The UDO's Article 146-6 definitions section pegs "Agriculture" to parcels larger than five acres; smaller-scale growing falls under the separate "Urban Agriculture" accessory use (146-3.3.4.D), which is allowed in every zone district but is capped at 25% site coverage for structures and folds in the City Code's chicken (§ 14-134) and beekeeping (§ 14-15) permits. Aurora has no standalone right-to-farm/nuisance-shield ordinance in either instrument.
Violations & Fines
Running a farm-scale agricultural operation outside the R-R, AD, APZ, I-1, or I-2 districts (or in R-2/R-3 without conditional use approval) violates the UDO's Permitted Use Table and can draw zoning enforcement, a stop-work order, or denial of a certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I farm my property in Aurora, Colorado?
Do I need a city permit to farm unplatted land in Aurora?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
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Agricultural Zoning Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle agricultural zoning protection.