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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Aurora, Colorado

Required for construction of a new detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a residential property in Aurora. Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance (Section 3.3.6) is being updated to comply with Colorado HB24-1152 and HB24-1304, which require ADUs to be allowed administratively (without a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing) on lots zoned for single-family detached dwellings.

Verified 2026-07-01 · Source

When you need this permit

  • ADU must be accessory to, and detached from, a single-family detached dwelling — attached ADUs are not permitted under Aurora's UDO
  • Only one ADU permitted per single-family dwelling
  • Permitted only on lots (or contiguous combined lots) greater than 6,000 square feet
  • Maximum ADU size: 650 square feet
  • Maximum ADU height: 24 feet, regardless of the primary dwelling's height
  • Minimum 360 square feet of usable private common open space must be provided for the ADU
  • Detached ADU setbacks follow standard accessory-structure setbacks, except an ADU built atop an existing garage may use the garage's existing setback
  • ADUs are administratively approved via required building permits — no Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing is required under the updated ordinance
  • Per Colorado HB24-1152/HB24-1304, ADUs are being extended to R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, OA-R1, OA-R2, MU-A, and APZ zone districts
  • Submit via Aurora4Biz.org: ADU permit application form, site plan showing main dwelling and proposed ADU relative to property lines, architectural drawings with dimensions/utilities, proof of property ownership, and fee payment

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee — new construction (ADU classified as new residential construction)Aurora bills a new ADU as new residential construction: assessed per square foot using the R-3 (Single Family Homes) rate on the City's 2026 New Building Construction Fee Table (Form #A176, Revised 01/2026) — the same $1.30/sq ft rate and table applied to new single-family construction, plus the state-mandated minimum fee at the $5,000 valuation tier. This per-square-foot table is the grounded, published fee basis for an ADU; confirm the exact total at application via the Permit Fee Calculator or Building Division (303-739-7420).
$1.30 per square foot (R-3 occupancy group rate)

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Aurora building department
~10–30 business days

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Aurora?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation

    Footings and foundation before concrete pour — 36-inch minimum frost depth

  2. 2

    Framing

    Structural framing per approved plans

  3. 3

    MEP Rough-In

    Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins before walls closed

  4. 4

    Final

    All work complete, ready for occupancy

See the full Aurora inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Aurora's ADU zoning rules were updated following Colorado's 2024 statewide ADU legislation (HB24-1152 and HB24-1304), which requires cities over a certain population to allow ADUs administratively on lots zoned for single-family detached dwellings. The current codified standards (detached-only, 650 sq ft, 24 ft height, >6,000 sq ft lot) and the current per-square-foot fee are both grounded and cited below; the ordinance is still being actively updated for state-law compliance, so re-check the zone-district list with Aurora Planning periodically even though today's standards and fee are verified.
  • Only detached ADUs are allowed under Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance — an attached in-law suite or basement conversion does not qualify as an ADU under this ordinance (though it may be permitted under the residential addition/remodel permit type instead).
  • The 650 sq ft maximum size and 6,000 sq ft minimum lot size are hard limits under the current ordinance — verify these have not been further revised since this entry's lastVerified date, given the ordinance is actively being updated for state law compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Aurora requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: ADU must be accessory to, and detached from, a single-family detached dwelling — attached ADUs are not permitted under Aurora's UDO; Only one ADU permitted per single-family dwelling; Permitted only on lots (or contiguous combined lots) greater than 6,000 square feet; Maximum ADU size: 650 square feet; Maximum ADU height: 24 feet, regardless of the primary dwelling's height; Minimum 360 square feet of usable private common open space must be provided for the ADU; Detached ADU setbacks follow standard accessory-structure setbacks, except an ADU built atop an existing garage may use the garage's existing setback; ADUs are administratively approved via required building permits — no Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing is required under the updated ordinance; Per Colorado HB24-1152/HB24-1304, ADUs are being extended to R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, OA-R1, OA-R2, MU-A, and APZ zone districts; Submit via Aurora4Biz.org: ADU permit application form, site plan showing main dwelling and proposed ADU relative to property lines, architectural drawings with dimensions/utilities, proof of property ownership, and fee payment. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division at (303) 739-7420 before starting work.

In Aurora, the published Building Permit Fee — new construction (ADU classified as new residential construction) is: $1.30 per square foot (R-3 occupancy group rate). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit in Aurora typically runs 10–30 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division at (303) 739-7420.

You'll need: ADU Permit Application (Aurora4Biz.org); Site Plan; Architectural Drawings; Proof of Property Ownership. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Aurora requires 4 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Foundation, Framing, MEP Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division ((303) 739-7420).

Apply through City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Ste. 2400, Aurora, CO 80012. Phone: (303) 739-7420, email: permitcounter@auroragov.org. Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wed 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.. Official information: https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/building_division/permits.

No. Under Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance (Section 3.3.6), an accessory dwelling unit must be detached from the primary dwelling — attached ADUs are not permitted under this ordinance provision.

650 square feet, with a maximum height of 24 feet regardless of the primary dwelling's height, on lots greater than 6,000 square feet, per Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance Section 3.3.6.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-01.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Aurora building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

Arvada, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoColorado Springs, ColoradoCommerce City, ColoradoCortez, ColoradoDenver, ColoradoFort Collins, ColoradoFruita, Colorado

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