Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Aurora?

It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Aurora comes down to the details of your project.

Colorado sets shed rules locally rather than through one statewide threshold, so the 200 square foot figure from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Every Colorado jurisdiction we have checked uses 120 square feet instead: Aurora exempts a one-story detached shed or playhouse of 120 square feet or less, Arvada requires a permit above 120, and Wheat Ridge requires one above 120. In parts of Colorado a single regional building department serves a county and several cities at once, so confirm which office covers your address before you rely on any threshold. A building-permit exemption does not waive zoning setbacks or HOA rules, and running power to the shed still requires an electrical permit. Aurora generally exempts a one-story detached accessory storage shed or playhouse of 120 square feet or less (not used to store vehicles) from a building permit, while a larger structure, one over 8 feet tall, or one used for vehicles typically requires a permit, so confirm your size against the current code. A building-permit exemption does not remove zoning: Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance still sets setback and height limits for accessory structures, so check placement before you build. Adding electrical, heating, or plumbing to a shed requires the matching trade permits, applied for through the Aurora4Biz portal (aurora4biz.org).