google-site-verification: googlee16c7726ecc34510.html

Aurora: Here for Business

Aurora is here for business. In 2023, 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, the city worked to improve how the public receives service from and interacts with the city.

This page shows a summary of the ways that the city worked to improve the experiences of residents and businesses in response to that 2023 effort.

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 is on the city's customers and has identified initiatives for customer service, organization and staffing, consolidated intake, and submittal requirements update.

City Reorganization

 To build capacity and eliminate bottlenecks, the city reorganized the Public Works Department and moved some functions to a newly created Development Services Department.

Expedited Review Process

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

Digital Mylars

 In coordination with Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties, the city worked 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 updated all development-related manuals, guidance documents, checklists.

Regular Reports to Council

 City staff presents 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 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 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 then-Oil & Gas Division (now Energy & Environment Division) 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 eliminated overdue item fines in 2024, 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 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 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 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.

Accreditations

City of Aurora | All Rights Reserved | Powered by CivicLive | © 2026 Civiclive.