Aurora, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works
- Applies to
- Contractors and homeowners alike
- No-permit penalty
- Inspection fee doubled
- Notice required
- 24 hours before construction starts
- Warranty period
- One year from acceptance
Summary
Anyone doing work in an Aurora, Colorado public right-of-way, including a homeowner without a contractor, must get a permit from the Director of Public Works first.
A contractor shall obtain a permit from the director of public works before performing any work in the public right-of-way. The application for a permit shall describe the location and type of work, shall be signed by the contractor and shall state the phone number for office hours and after hours where the person responsible for the work may be reached in case of emergency. Each permit shall contain the following words: "The holder of this permit agrees to comply with all provisions contained in section 126-174 (one year guarantee period) of the City Code."
(b) The fee for such permit shall be as determined by the fee schedule in effect at the time the application is made. The contractor shall notify the director of public works a minimum of 24 hours before commencement of the actual construction begins and while the work is in progress. Inspection shall not be required for single-family residential driveways and service walks constructed behind the public sidewalk. All work performed under such permit shall be in full conformance with the requirements contained in this article. If the work completed meets the minimum qualifications of the approved plans and specifications, an initial acceptance letter will be issued. The date of the initial acceptance will start the one-year warranty period. (Code 1979, § 34-37; Ord. No. 98-96, § 1, 1-11-1999; Ord. No. 95-53, exhibit A (§ 34-37), 9-11-1995)
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 City Code § 126-132 requires a permit from the Director of Public Works before any work begins in the public right-of-way; "contractor" is defined in § 126-131 to include a homeowner performing the work. The permit application must describe the location and type of work, be signed, and list a phone number reachable during and after hours in case of emergency. The permit must recite that the holder agrees to the one-year guarantee period in § 126-174. Separately, Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance requires City approval before any structure, wall, or permanent site feature is placed in a right-of-way or easement (UDO § 146-4.3.11.E), so permanent encroachments face a second layer of review beyond the construction permit.
Violations & Fines
Work done in the right-of-way without a permit doubles the inspection fee once discovered, per § 126-133(b); permanent structures placed in a right-of-way or easement without City approval violate UDO § 146-4.3.11.E.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to work in the right-of-way in front of my Aurora house?
What if I build a wall or structure in an Aurora right-of-way without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Encroachment Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle encroachment permits.