Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Aurora?
Yes. In Colorado, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Aurora is no exception.
Adding to or structurally altering a home requires a building permit and full plan review in Colorado jurisdictions; the exact submittal list and adopted code edition are set locally because there is no statewide code. Electrical and plumbing portions of the work fall under Colorado's state Electrical and Plumbing Boards and require their own state permits and inspections in addition to the local building permit. Additions and structural alterations in Aurora go through full building plan review under the 2021 IRC and related I-Codes, and plans and payments are handled through the Aurora4Biz portal (aurora4biz.org). Aurora is in a region with meaningful snow and wind loads, so structural plans generally must show the design loads used, and you should confirm current values with the Building Division. A residential building contractor working in Aurora is generally required to hold a city license with a supervisor certificate and a Colorado license on file, so verify licensing before construction begins.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationrequired
- Construction drawings (floor plan, elevations, framing/structural)required
- Site plan with setbacks and lot coveragerequired
- Energy compliance and structural/engineering detailsSometimes required
- Building permit application with plan review through Aurora4Bizrequired
- Architectural, structural, and site plans with structural calculationsrequired
- Energy compliance documentation under the 2021 IECCrequired
- Licensed contractor and supervisor certificate on file with the Aurora Building DivisionLikely required
Possible inspections
- Footing/foundation inspection
- Framing inspection
- Rough-in inspections for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
- Insulation inspection
- Final inspection
- Footing and foundation inspection
- Insulation and final inspections
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Aurora?
- Yes. In Colorado, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Aurora is no exception. Adding to or structurally altering a home requires a building permit and full plan review in Colorado jurisdictions; the exact submittal list and adopted code edition are set locally because there is no statewide code. Electrical and plumbing portions of the work fall under Colorado's state Electrical and Plumbing Boards and require their own state permits and inspections in addition to the local building permit. Additions and structural alterations in Aurora go through full building plan review under the 2021 IRC and related I-Codes, and plans and payments are handled through the Aurora4Biz portal (aurora4biz.org). Aurora is in a region with meaningful snow and wind loads, so structural plans generally must show the design loads used, and you should confirm current values with the Building Division. A residential building contractor working in Aurora is generally required to hold a city license with a supervisor certificate and a Colorado license on file, so verify licensing before construction begins.
- Who issues the permit in Aurora?
- The local building department for Aurora handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.