Aurora: Here for Business

Through the leadership of the Aurora City Council’s Red Tape Reduction Ad Hoc Committee, staff efforts to streamline and simplify processes, and input from the community - Aurora is here for business.

The city is continually working to improve how the public receives service from and interacts with the city. This page shows some of the ways Aurora is working to improve the experiences of residents and businesses.

We are your partner in expanding opportunities and your success in the city. Welcome.

This page will continue to be updated as initiatives roll out and further improvements are identified.

Streamlined
Processes

Development Review Governance Committee

A leadership group was formed in December 2021 to effectively and efficiently implement citywide process improvements for development staff and customers. The committee's focus in on the city's customers and has identified initiatives for customer service, organization and staffing, consolidated intake, and submittal requirements update.

Public Works Reorganization

To build capacity and eliminate bottlenecks, the city is in the process of reorganizing the Public Works Department to consolidate engineering, traffic, real property, public improvements, and building staff.

Expedited Review Process

For pad site ready developments, the city has implemented an expedited review process to get projects underway more quickly.

Digital Mylars

In coordination with Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties, the city is working to finalize acceptance of digital plat mylars.

Guidance and Manual Updates

To make sure all reference materials are accurate, up-to-date and easy to understand, the city is updating all development-related manuals, guidance documents, checklists.

Regular Reports to Council

City staff will present regularly to the City Council's Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee with updates on development review improvements and performance measures.

Reduced
Costs

Amusement Devices and Games

The Aurora City Council has voted to repeal the requirement to have certain city licenses to operate specific amusement devices and games, making it easier for businesses to have legal games and amusement devices under a general business license, while also allowing for greater enforcement against illegal gambling operations. Eliminating the special licenses can potentially result in savings of hundreds of dollars in license fees.

Temporary Certificates of Occupancy

After reviewing policy, the city has eliminated the extension fee on temporary certificates of occupancy for single-family, multi-family and commercial permits, saving contractors hundreds of dollars per certificate.

Lower Pipeline Permit Fee

The Oil & Gas Division has created a lower permit fee for short pipeline segment applications. Previously, there was only a single fee for all types of oil and gas applications, including well sites, pipelines, and larger compressor stations. The review work required for a short pipeline segment is significantly less than that required for a well site. The new fee is $1,500, compared with $5,880 for well sites. Other minor review fees still apply. Transporting produced oil and gas via pipeline is a significant benefit to the city compared with hauling it by large truck, improving traffic, reducing air emissions, and preventing road damage. Well site application fees and annual inspection fees remain unchanged since implementation in 2020.

Fee-Free Libraries

Joining other metro area libraries, Aurora Public Library is working to eliminate overdue item fines, which will increase community access to learning materials and support goals of increased engagement, activity and attendance. This program will be implemented soon, and does not affect fines for lost or never-returned items.

Improved
Regulations

Return of Ice Cream Trucks

The Aurora City Council has voted to repeal a 65-year-old prohibition on mobile ice cream trucks in the city, allowing for vendors to operate with a general business license from Aurora. Learn more about the new mobile ice cream vendor regulations.

Longer Allowable Building Lengths

The Aurora City Council has voted to increase the maximum building length for multifamily buildings, from 150-250 feet to 600 feet in all subareas. The change comes after many multifamily proposals requested adjustments to the previous requirements in recent years.

Shorter Liquor-Store Distance Requirements

The Aurora City Council has voted to reduce the minimum distance between new liquor stores from 2,000 feet to 1,500 feet, bringing the city in line with existing state statutes.

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