Aurora CO Building Permits for Bathroom Remodels

Updated April 2026 · 8 min read · By the Tilers4you team, Aurora CO

One of the most common questions we hear from Aurora homeowners planning a bathroom remodel is: "Do I need a permit for this?" The answer depends on what you are doing — and the stakes for getting it wrong are higher than most people realize.

This guide explains what the Aurora Building Division requires, when permits are needed versus when they are not, what they cost, how to get one, and what happens if work is done without a required permit.

When You Need a Permit in Aurora

Aurora Building Division generally requires a building permit when work involves:

• Electrical work — adding new circuits, moving outlets, installing GFCI protection where it did not exist, wiring for radiant heat or exhaust fans on new circuits. Any new electrical work in a bathroom almost always requires both a building permit and an electrical permit.
• Plumbing changes — moving drain lines, adding or relocating supply lines, adding new fixtures, changing the shower drain location. Replacing a fixture in the same location with the same connections typically does not require a permit in most cases.
• Structural changes — removing walls, adding a window, modifying the ceiling height, or anything that affects load-bearing elements.
• Converting a tub to a shower or vice versa — this almost always involves plumbing relocation and requires a permit.
• Adding a bathroom where none existed — always requires permits for plumbing, electrical, and building.

When You Typically Do NOT Need a Permit

Most cosmetic remodels do not require a permit in Aurora. This generally includes:

• Replacing tile — retiling a shower, bathroom floor, or tub surround with new tile (same footprint, no plumbing or electrical changes) is generally considered cosmetic and does not require a permit.
• Replacing fixtures in place — swapping a toilet, faucet, showerhead, or vanity without moving the supply/drain connections.
• Replacing a vanity — removing and replacing a vanity cabinet and top with the same sink drain and supply connections.
• Painting and trim work — no permit required.
• Replacing an exhaust fan in the same location on an existing circuit— generally no permit if you are using the same switch and wiring.

Important caveat: "no permit required" does not mean "no code required." Even without a permit, tile work in wet areas must still follow IRC and ANSI standards for waterproofing, slope, and installation. Skipping a permit does not mean you can skip proper waterproofing in a shower.

Permit Costs in Aurora

Permit fees in Aurora are based on the valuation of the work. Typical fees for bathroom remodel scopes:

Permit fees are a small fraction of any significant remodel cost. A homeowner who skips a permit to "save" $150 is taking on risks that far exceed that savings. More on that below.

How to Get a Permit in Aurora

1. Determine what permits you need — call the Aurora Building Division or review their online permit guide. For a project with electrical and plumbing, you will likely need separate permits for each trade.
2. Submit your application — Aurora accepts permit applications online through their permitting portal. You will need a project description, the address, and an estimated project value.
3. Provide plans if required — simple permits (like adding an outlet or replacing a fan) may not need drawings. More complex work (structural changes, new plumbing) typically requires plans.
4. Pay the fee — online or at the permit counter.
5. Schedule inspections — most permits require one or more inspections. Rough-in inspections happen before walls close up; final inspections happen after work is complete. Schedule through the same portal.

If you are using a licensed contractor, they typically pull the permit in their name. This is actually a benefit to you — the contractor is responsible for the work meeting code, and the inspection gives you independent verification.

What Happens If You Skip a Required Permit

This is where homeowners sometimes underestimate the risk:

• Stop-work order — if a neighbor complains or an inspector notices work happening without a permit, Aurora can issue a stop-work order and require all work to stop immediately.
• Retroactive permit fees with penalties — getting a permit after work is already done can cost 2–3x the normal permit fee.
• Required demolition — in some cases, the city requires walls or finished work to be opened up so inspectors can verify the rough-in work before it is covered. This means tearing out tile that was just installed.
• Problems at home sale — unpermitted work must typically be disclosed in Colorado real estate transactions. Buyers can and do require permitted work or price reductions. Title companies and lenders sometimes flag unpermitted work.
• Insurance implications — a homeowners insurance claim related to unpermitted work (a fire caused by unpermitted electrical, a flood from unpermitted plumbing) can be denied or reduced.

Our Approach to Permits

When we work on a bathroom remodel that requires permits — typically any project involving electrical or plumbing changes alongside the tile work — we coordinate with the licensed electrician and plumber on the project to ensure all permits are pulled and all inspections are scheduled. Our tile work is designed around the inspection timeline so that rough-in inspections happen before we close up walls. We do not ask homeowners to choose between a faster job and a compliant one.

Related Guides

• Bathroom Remodel Timeline — permits and inspections add time to the schedule; plan accordingly
• Heated Tile Floors Guide — NEC Article 424 requires inspection before tile is installed over radiant heat
• How to Choose a Tile Installer in Aurora — ask your contractor how they handle permit coordination
• Bathroom Remodeling Service — full-service bathroom remodels with proper permit coordination in Aurora