Building permits in Aurora — Colorado's 3rd largest city, spanning three counties in the eastern Denver metro — are issued by Planning & Development Services, Building Division. Aurora enforces the 2021 IBC/IRC with Aurora amendments.
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Aurora Online Permitting Portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Aurora project stays on track.
Colorado's 3rd largest city, stretching across Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. Aurora spans three counties but manages its own municipal permitting. The city enforces the 2021 IBC/IRC with local amendments. Colorado does not require a statewide general contractor license — Aurora requires local contractor registration.
What requires a building permit in Aurora?
Under the 2021 IBC/IRC with Aurora amendments, a permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, carports
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
- One-story detached sheds ≤ 200 sq ft (on grade, no utilities)
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties, fines, and stop-work orders. In Denver, fines range from $150–$999 per violation. Unpermitted work can also create issues when selling the property.
Who handles permitting in Aurora?
The Building Division within Planning & Development Services handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. All permits are managed through the Aurora Online Permitting Portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Planning & Development Services — 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012 |
| Phone | (303) 739-7420 |
| Online portal | Aurora Online Permitting Portal |
| Code cycle | 2021 IBC/IRC with Aurora amendments |
| Review timeline | 10–15 business days residential; 15–20 commercial |
| Contractor license | Local licensing + state trade licenses |
Apply at the Aurora ePermit. Register an account on the Aurora Online Permitting Portal. Start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance), and pay the plan review fee at submittal. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Aurora building permit cost
Aurora permit fees are valuation-based per Aurora fee schedule. Plan review is 65% of building permit fee.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based tiered formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 65% of building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Technology / admin fee | Added to permit total |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders + fines |
Want a precise number for a specific Aurora project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Aurora trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each needs its own permit and appropriately licensed tradespeople.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by a contractor licensed through the Colorado State Electrical Board.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a contractor licensed through the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by a qualified mechanical contractor per local requirements.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify contractor licensing. Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license — general contractor licensing is handled at the local city or county level. However, trade licenses are state-regulated: electricians are licensed by the Colorado State Electrical Board and plumbers by the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers. Always verify your contractor meets both state trade requirements and local licensing. The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (2025) sets fire-resistant construction standards in wildland-urban interface zones. Verify licensing at dpo.colorado.gov/EandP.
How to get a building permit in Aurora
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Contact Planning & Development Services at (303) 739-7420. Confirm zoning compliance and whether your project requires a permit.
Register on Aurora ePermit & apply
Create an account on the Aurora Online Permitting Portal. Start a new application and select the correct permit type.
Upload documents & pay plan review fee
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor license, and proof of insurance. Pay plan review fee at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 IBC/IRC with Aurora amendments. 10–15 business days residential; 15–20 commercial. Resubmit revised plans if needed.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections via the Aurora Online Permitting Portal. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Aurora
Schedule inspections through the Aurora Online Permitting Portal. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Aurora permitting resources
- 🏛️ City of Aurora — Planning & Development
- 💻 Aurora Online Permitting
- 📋 Aurora Fee Schedule
- 🪪 CO State Electrical Board
Simplify Aurora permitting with Alliance Permitting
Aurora's Aurora Online Permitting Portal, valuation-based fees, and Colorado's local licensing requirements reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Aurora — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Planning & Development Services process, so your Aurora submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Aurora because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Planning & Development Services, the Aurora Online Permitting Portal, and the 2021 IBC/IRC with Aurora amendments.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Aurora building permit?
Get your Aurora project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the Aurora Online Permitting Portal — so you build, not wait.
More Colorado permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Planning & Development Services before filing. This is not legal advice.