Colorado / Aurora

Electrical Permit in Aurora, Colorado

It depends

Sometimes, depending on the project

Before any electrical service change and before modifying or extending the electrical system, including installing a device where none existed. Replacing an existing switch, outlet, light fixture, smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector in place needs no permit.

Confirmed on official page Verified

Issued byCity of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center)

By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources

Quick answer

An electrical permit is required in Aurora for any service change and for modifications to the electrical system, but the city publishes a real like-for-like exemption: repairing or replacing existing switches, outlets, light fixtures, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors needs no permit unless a new device is installed where none existed. Aurora runs its own electrical inspection program, so the permit comes from the city Building Division, not from the state. Aurora adopts the National Electrical Code in step with Colorado and moved to the 2026 NEC effective 8-1-2026.

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When a permit is usually needed

Before any electrical service change and before modifying or extending the electrical system, including installing a device where none existed. Replacing an existing switch, outlet, light fixture, smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector in place needs no permit.

What an electrical permit costs in Aurora

Line item
electrical permitBy formulaOn the 2026 flat-rate schedule (Form #A175, footer "Flat-Rate Fee (Revised 08/2026)") the line item "Residential Electrical Service Upgrade" is listed at "$190" and "Energy Storage System" at "$191", while "Residential EV Charger" sits under the price heading "$99 EACH". Other electrical work is priced by the Permit Center. City use tax on materials is collected separately: "The flat fee process has no effect on the calculation and collection of city use taxes.".
Fee schedule in forceOfficial scheduleRead . Fees are the jurisdiction’s; we do not mark them up or estimate them.

How Aurora compares in Colorado

No Colorado jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.

JurisdictionPermit needed?Typical fee
Aurorathis pageIt depends...the line item "Residential Electrical Service Upgrade" is listed at...
DenverPermit requiredValuation-based fee per CPD Table 1 with a $20 minimum for work valued at $500...
Jefferson CountyPermit required...building permit bill on the countywide valuation fee table with a $55...

How to apply in Aurora

In Aurora, in most US jurisdictions, the property owner or a licensed electrician applies for an electrical permit before work starts, describing the scope of work and the property and typically attaching plans. Some minor, like-for-like electrical repairs are commonly exempt, and once issued the permit is kept on site until the job is finished.

What most electrical permit applications include:

  • Before any electrical work begins, the owner or an authorized agent must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit (IRC R105.1).
  • For Aurora, the written application must identify and describe the electrical work covered by the permit and describe the property, such as by street address, well enough to locate the job (IRC R105.3).
  • For Aurora, the application must be accompanied by construction documents (plans) and any other information the permit office requires, and must be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
  • Certain minor or like-for-like electrical jobs, such as replacing a branch-circuit breaker of the required capacity in the same location, are commonly exempt from needing a separate permit (IRC R105.2).
  • Once issued, the building permit or a copy of it must be kept at the job site until the project is complete (IRC R105.7).

General submittal guidance from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R105, Permits (2015 and 2021 editions, as locally adopted). Source. City of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center) sets the exact checklist for Aurora.

Where to apply in Aurora:

City of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center)

Electrical Permit in Aurora compared with nearby Colorado localities

LocalityPermit needed?ThresholdWhat each Colorado schedule saysVerified
AuroraIt dependsBefore any electrical service change and before modifying or extending the electrical......the line item "Residential Electrical Service Upgrade" is listed at "$190" and...
DenverPermit requiredAny sizeValuation-based fee per CPD Table 1 with a $20 minimum for work valued at $500 or less
Jefferson CountyPermit requiredAny size...to an active building permit bill on the countywide valuation fee table with a $55...

Inspections and closing out your permit

In Aurora, electrical work under a permit is inspected at least twice: a rough-in inspection of the wiring before it is covered by drywall or insulation, and a final inspection once all devices, panels, and labeling are complete. Inspectors also check specific safety items along the way, such as GFCI and AFCI protection, panel circuit directories, and the service disconnect location.

  1. In Aurora: a rough-in inspection of the electrical wiring is required before it is covered or concealed by insulation, drywall, or other finish material, and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
  2. In Aurora: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections have all been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
  3. In Aurora: ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is checked at receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, crawl spaces, outdoors, and other damp or wet locations (NEC 210.8(A)).
  4. In Aurora: arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection is verified on branch circuits serving bedrooms, living areas, and most other habitable rooms (NEC 210.12(A)).
  5. In Aurora: panelboards must carry a circuit directory that legibly and specifically identifies the purpose of each circuit, not a vague label (NEC 408.4).
  6. In Aurora: the service disconnect must be installed in a readily accessible location, either outside the structure or just inside the point where the service conductors enter (NEC 230.70).
  7. In Aurora: a final inspection is made only after all permitted electrical work is complete, and the wiring cannot be used or the space occupied until it passes (IRC R109.1.6).

Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Aurora permit portal or by phone at 303-739-7420.

Inspection sequence from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109, Required Inspections, and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 and 2023 editions. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need an electrical permit in Aurora?
An electrical permit is required in Aurora for any service change and for modifications to the electrical system, but the city publishes a real like-for-like exemption: repairing or replacing existing switches, outlets, light fixtures, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors needs no permit unless a new device is installed where none existed. Aurora runs its own electrical inspection program, so the permit comes from the city Building Division, not from the state. Aurora adopts the National Electrical Code in step with Colorado and moved to the 2026 NEC effective 8-1-2026. Always confirm with the City of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center) before starting.
How much does an electrical permit cost in Aurora?
On the 2026 flat-rate schedule (Form #A175, footer "Flat-Rate Fee (Revised 08/2026)") the line item "Residential Electrical Service Upgrade" is listed at "$190" and "Energy Storage System" at "$191", while "Residential EV Charger" sits under the price heading "$99 EACH". Other electrical work is priced by the Permit Center. City use tax on materials is collected separately: "The flat fee process has no effect on the calculation and collection of city use taxes.". See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Aurora?
You can apply through the Aurora permit portal or contact the City of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center) directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Aurora?
Under Colorado law (C.R.S. 12-115-116(2); C.R.S. 12-115-120(11)(c); C.R.S. 12-155-118(2); C.R.S. 12-155-120(11)(c)): Colorado's state electrical law has a homeowner exception: under C.R.S. 12-115-116(2), you do not need an electrician's license to do electrical work on your own property or residence, as long as all the work, other than maintenance or repair of existing systems, is inspected under the state law. The exception does not apply if the property is intended for sale or resale by someone in the construction or remodeling business, is rental property, or is generally open to the public. A homeowner performing work on the homeowner's home is a qualified applicant who may pull the state electrical permit under C.R.S. 12-115-120(11)(c), and plumbing mirrors this: C.R.S. 12-155-118(2) allows unlicensed plumbing work on your own property or residence with the same carve-outs, and C.R.S. 12-155-120(11)(c) lets a homeowner pull the state plumbing permit. The State Electrical and Plumbing Boards at DORA require that the homeowner personally perform the work, that it be inspected before cover and again at completion, and that it meet the National Electrical Code or the adopted plumbing codes. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license: Title 12 licenses electricians and plumbers at the state level, and general building contractors are licensed, if at all, by the individual city or county. Confirm how Aurora applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Aurora

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitIt dependsdeck height above grade at which a permit is required regardless of whether the deck is attached to the house...the line item "Single Family Residential Deck" sits under the price heading "$402...
Fence PermitIt dependsfence height at which a building permit is requiredThere is no fence line item on the 2026 flat-rate schedule (Form #A175, footer...
HVAC PermitIt dependsBefore replacing or installing a furnace, boiler, central air conditioner, evaporative......Cooler Replacement" and "Furnace Replacement" sit under the price heading "$201...
Patio PermitIt dependsheight above grade of an uncovered concrete patio at which a permit is required...item "Single Family Residential Patio Cover" sits under the price heading "$402...
Plumbing PermitIt dependsBefore replacing a water heater, before modifying the plumbing system, and before any......and "Gas Pipe Installation or Modification" sit under the price heading "$99...
Pool PermitIt dependspool depth at which a building permit is requiredThere is no swimming pool or spa line item on the 2026 flat-rate schedule (Form #A175...
Roof Replacement PermitPermit requiredAny size...the line item "Single Family Residential Roof Replacement" is listed at "$350"...
Shed PermitIt dependsshed floor area at which a building permit is requiredThere is no storage-shed line item on the 2026 flat-rate schedule (Form #A175, footer...
Solar PermitPermit requiredAny size...(Revised 08/2026)") the line item "Residential Solar PV System" is listed at...

Electrical Permit in other Colorado localities

Everything above, sourced

Code references

National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Aurora documents; the office above sets the local rules.

How this electrical permit page for Aurora was verified. 2 official sources: auroragov.org, auroragov.org; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with City of Aurora Building Division, Development Services Department (Building Permit Center). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: Report an error on this page

Compare Electrical Permit requirements across Colorado localities

Electrical permit rules nationwide

Look up an existing Aurora permit record

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