How Much Building Clearance Do You Need in Aurora?
There is no single setback number that applies to every accessory structure in Aurora. The City's current Unified Development Ordinance uses different standards based on the structure's size, location and use.
For residential accessory buildings, the most important dividing point is 120 square feet. Structures at or below that size can use a more flexible setback provision, while larger accessory buildings have more restrictive side and rear clearance requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Aurora Building Clearance at a Glance
| Structure | Side Clearance | Rear Clearance | Other Important Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential accessory building ≤120 sq. ft. | Minimum 3 ft. from property lines | Minimum 3 ft. from property lines | May be placed within required side/rear setbacks |
| Residential accessory building >120 sq. ft. | Minimum 5 ft. | Minimum 5 ft. | Must be in rear yard and satisfy additional standards |
| Larger structure beside an alley | Minimum 5 ft. side setback | 3 ft. from alley | Must satisfy the applicable accessory-building rules |
| Detached garage / carport | Applicable side setback | Applicable rear setback | Rear or side yard; building-permit standards may apply |
This table summarizes the residential accessory-building standards in Aurora's current UDO. Property-specific zoning, use-specific provisions and other site restrictions can change the applicable analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Aurora Rules for Small Sheds and Accessory Buildings
Aurora's UDO gives residential accessory buildings with a floor area of 120 square feet or less a specific setback treatment.
These smaller structures may be placed within required side and rear setbacks, but they must remain at least three feet from all property lines. The UDO also states that accessory buildings meeting this requirement are exempt from the fire-safety construction standards of the International Building Code (IBC). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
120 Sq. Ft.
This is the key size threshold in the residential accessory building provision.
3-Foot Minimum
The structure must remain at least three feet from every property line.
Flexible Placement
The building can be placed within required side and rear setbacks if the three-foot property-line minimum is met.
Aurora Rules for Larger Accessory Buildings
Once a residential accessory building exceeds 120 square feet, Aurora's UDO imposes substantially more detailed requirements.
- It must be constructed within the rear yard.
- It cannot occupy more than 50 percent of the total rear yard.
- It cannot exceed 450 square feet or 50 percent of the principal building's gross floor area, whichever is greater.
- It cannot exceed the height of the principal building or 20 feet, whichever is less.
- A minimum five-foot side-property-line setback applies.
- A minimum five-foot rear-property-line setback applies, subject to the alley provision.
- An accessory building should not be approved where it encroaches over an easement unless the easement holder authorizes the encroachment.
These standards are from Aurora's current UDO Section 146-4.2.3(F) for residential accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Aurora Side-Yard Building Clearance
The correct side clearance depends heavily on accessory-building size.
120 Sq. Ft. or Less
The UDO permits these residential accessory buildings within required side setbacks, provided they remain at least 3 feet from every property line.
Over 120 Sq. Ft.
Larger residential accessory buildings generally need at least 5 feet from each side property line.
Aurora Rear-Yard Building Clearance
Larger residential accessory buildings must be located within the rear yard and generally maintain a five-foot setback from the rear property line. If an alley is involved, Aurora uses a separate three-foot clearance from the alley. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
5 Feet
General rear-property-line clearance for larger residential accessory buildings.
3 Feet From Alley
The UDO provides a three-foot clearance from an alley.
Rear-Yard Coverage
Larger accessory buildings cannot occupy more than 50% of the total rear yard.
What Changes if Your Property Has an Alley?
Alley access changes how the rear clearance is evaluated for larger residential accessory buildings. Aurora's UDO specifies a three-foot setback from an alley, while the standard rear-property-line requirement is five feet. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Aurora Accessory Building Height Rules
For residential accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet, Aurora's UDO states that the structure cannot exceed the height of the principal building or 20 feet, whichever is less. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Principal Building
Its height can establish the upper limit.
20 Feet
This is the other side of the maximum calculation.
Lower Value Wins
The structure cannot exceed whichever applicable maximum is lower.
Your Shed Can Be Too Large Even If the Setback Works
A common mistake is checking only the distance from the property line. Aurora also limits how much of the rear yard a larger residential accessory building can occupy.
For accessory buildings over 120 square feet, the UDO states that the building cannot occupy more than 50 percent of the total rear yard. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Setback Test
Is the structure far enough from the side and rear property lines?
Coverage Test
Does the structure occupy an acceptable percentage of the total rear yard?
Do Easements Affect Building Clearance in Aurora?
Yes. This is one of the easiest constraints to overlook when planning an accessory building.
Aurora's UDO states that a residential accessory building larger than 120 square feet should not be approved if it encroaches over an easement on or near a property line unless the applicant has obtained authorization for that encroachment from the easement holder. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Utility Easement
Underground or utility access can affect where you can place a structure.
Access Rights
An easement can preserve another party's right to access or use part of your property.
Authorization
Authorization from an easement holder may be necessary for an encroachment.
Aurora Garage Clearance Rules Are Not Identical to Shed Rules
A detached garage or private residential carport has its own requirements. Aurora's UDO states that detached private residential garages and carports requiring a building permit must be located in the rear or side yard and meet the applicable side and rear setback requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Garage
Detached garages have specific placement and setback requirements.
Carport
Private residential carports are also addressed by the accessory-building provisions.
Shed
Small and large sheds can fall under different dimensional rules based on floor area.
Building Clearance Is Only One Part of the Approval Process
Aurora's Building Division handles building permits, while the City's planning resources help property owners determine whether proposed uses and development comply with zoning. Aurora explicitly recommends using its Zoning Navigator and contacting the Permit Center when property-specific factors affect what is permitted. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Zoning
Establish which dimensional and use standards apply to the property.
Building Permit
Confirm whether the proposed work requires a building permit and what documents are needed.
Property Review
Check lot lines, easements, existing structures and site constraints before construction.
How to Check Building Clearance on an Aurora Property
Identify the Parcel
Start with the exact property instead of applying a generic neighborhood rule.
Identify the Zoning
Aurora provides a Zoning Navigator for property-specific research. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Measure the Structure
Record width, depth, floor area and proposed height.
Locate the Property Lines
Do not assume the fence marks the legal property boundary.
Check Easements
Look for utility, access and other recorded easements that could affect the proposed footprint.
Apply the Correct Size Rule
Determine whether the structure is 120 square feet or less or larger.
Check Rear-Yard Coverage
Larger residential accessory buildings cannot occupy more than 50% of the total rear yard.
Confirm Permit Requirements
Verify the current building-permit requirements with Aurora's Building Division before construction.
Common Aurora Building Clearance Mistakes
❌ "Every Shed Needs 5 Feet"
Not necessarily. Aurora has a specific rule for residential accessory buildings 120 square feet or less.
❌ "It's Under 120 Sq. Ft., So I Can Put It on the Line"
The small-building provision still requires at least three feet from all property lines.
❌ Measuring From the Fence
The fence may not coincide with the legal property boundary.
❌ Ignoring Easements
An easement can prevent a larger accessory structure from being approved in an otherwise suitable location.
❌ Checking Only the Setback
Height, rear-yard coverage, building size and design requirements can also apply.
❌ Copying a Neighbor's Setup
A neighboring property can have a different zoning, lot configuration or legally established condition.
Check Aurora Requirements for All 9 Project Types
Building clearance is only one type of permit question. Permitrust covers nine residential project categories so homeowners can research the local requirements before starting work.
Deck
Research deck permits, setbacks and structural requirements.
Permitrust ServiceShed
Check shed size, placement, zoning and permit considerations.
Permitrust ServiceGarage
Review garage location, construction and zoning requirements.
Permitrust ServiceFence
Research fence placement and applicable local requirements.
Permitrust ServiceBathroom
Check remodeling and building/trade permit considerations.
Permitrust ServiceKitchen
Research renovation scope and permit requirements.
Permitrust ServiceElectrical
Identify electrical permit and inspection requirements.
Permitrust ServiceRoofing
Research roof work and applicable construction requirements.
Permitrust ServicePool
Check pool placement, zoning and permit requirements.
Permitrust ServiceVerify the Current Requirements
Aurora's own guidance recommends checking its zoning and permit resources because multiple property-specific factors can affect what is permitted. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Building & Zoning Code
Aurora's official building and zoning code resources, including its Unified Development Ordinance.
Building Permits
Aurora Building Division permit information and application resources.
Planning & Zoning
Aurora's official planning page and Zoning Navigator information.
Aurora Building Clearance FAQs
How far does an accessory building need to be from the property line in Aurora?
It depends on the structure. A residential accessory building 120 square feet or less must generally be at least 3 feet from all property lines. A larger residential accessory building generally needs 5 feet from side property lines and 5 feet from rear property lines, subject to the applicable alley provision. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Can a small shed be inside the required side setback?
Aurora's UDO allows residential accessory buildings 120 square feet or less to be placed within required side and rear setbacks, but they must remain at least 3 feet from all property lines. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
What is the setback for a shed over 120 square feet?
For a residential accessory building larger than 120 square feet, Aurora's UDO generally requires at least 5 feet from each side property line and 5 feet from each rear property line, with 3 feet from an alley. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Can I put a shed directly against my fence?
No assumption should be made from the fence location. Aurora's rules refer to property lines, and even a small residential accessory building must generally remain at least 3 feet from the property line.
Does an easement affect where I can build?
Yes. For residential accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet, Aurora's UDO states that the building should not be approved if it encroaches over an easement unless authorization is obtained from the easement holder. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
How much of my rear yard can a larger accessory building occupy?
A residential accessory building larger than 120 square feet cannot occupy more than 50 percent of the total rear yard under the cited UDO provision. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
How large can an accessory building be in Aurora?
For residential accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet, the UDO generally provides a maximum of 450 square feet or 50 percent of the gross floor area of the principal building, whichever is greater, subject to applicable zoning requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
How tall can an accessory building be?
For residential accessory buildings over 120 square feet, the UDO generally limits height to the height of the principal building or 20 feet, whichever is less. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Does Aurora require a building permit?
Permit requirements depend on the specific work. Aurora's Building Division handles building permits and recommends checking the current permit requirements for the proposed project. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
Where can I check my Aurora zoning?
Aurora provides a Zoning Navigator that allows property owners to determine whether a proposed use is permitted by searching by use type and address. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
Check Your Aurora Property Before Construction
A few feet can make the difference between an acceptable accessory structure and a zoning problem. Check the property, structure size, setbacks and other site constraints before you order materials.
Important: Permitrust provides permit and zoning research for informational purposes and is not the City of Aurora or any other government authority. Municipal codes, zoning regulations, permit procedures, fees and administrative requirements can change. Requirements may also differ based on the property's zoning district, lot configuration, easements, overlays and proposed project. Always verify the current requirements for your specific property with the City of Aurora before purchasing materials or beginning construction.