Quick answer
In Aurora, every water heater replacement needs a city permit, while most sewer line repairs do not unless new piping is installed. Hired contractors must be licensed with the city, and plumbing companies need a Colorado master and contractor license on file. Aurora Water offers up to $100 for replacing an old toilet with a 0.8 gallon per flush WaterSense model.
Updated · By the Denver Plumber Pros editorial team · How we research
What is plumbing like in Aurora homes?
Aurora is big and spread out, and its housing reflects decades of growth. Census Bureau survey data for 2020 to 2024 put the median year built at 1985; about 37 percent of homes predate 1980 and about 29 percent were built in 2000 or later (ACS table B25034 via Census Reporter). That means a north Aurora ranch house and a newer home in the southeast can have completely different pipe materials, water heater locations and sewer laterals. Ask any plumber you talk to how old your home's supply and drain lines are likely to be, and whether they have seen the same materials nearby.
Which plumbing jobs need a permit in Aurora?
The city's DIY and Do It Right home improvement handbook includes a residential permit list. The plumbing entries:
| Work | Permit? | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater replacement | Yes | Always; plumbing inspection, plus electrical depending on the unit |
| Water line repair or replacement | Yes | Unless the pipe repair is considered minor |
| Modifications to the plumbing system | Yes | Contact the Building Division with project details |
| Sewer line repair | No | Unless new piping is installed |
| Toilets | No | Unless new piping is installed or moved |
| Sinks | No | Unless in-the-wall pipes are touched |
| Sump pumps | No | Unless new electrical is installed for the pump |
For a water heater permit, the handbook says to include the tank capacity and whether it is gas or electric. If a permit is required, so are inspections, and every inspection has a rough and a final. The Permit Center is at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, second floor, 303.739.7420, and many services are online at Aurora4Biz.org. For help choosing a unit, see our water heater guide.
Who may do the work?
Aurora's handbook says homeowners can obtain permits for work on their primary home, and that hired contractors must be licensed by the city of Aurora. For plumbers specifically, the city's Contractor Licensing and Lookup page says a current State of Colorado master's and contractor's license must be on file with the Building Division, and that Aurora does not issue its own separate plumbing or electrical license. The same page has a contractor lookup tool showing who is licensed to work in Aurora.
That gives you a quick two-part check: search the plumber's name in the Colorado DORA license lookup, then confirm the company appears in Aurora's contractor lookup. If it does not, it cannot legally pull your permit.
Does Aurora have lead service lines?
Aurora Water publishes a water service line material map where you can enter your address. The utility says properties built in 1960 or earlier in Colorado sometimes had lead or galvanized steel service lines installed, and that more than 5,000 Aurora service lines are still marked unknown and need inspection. Galvanized lines that were ever connected to lead pipe must be replaced under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements; other galvanized lines are treated as non-lead. Aurora Water says it will publish a replacement schedule after its investigations. Questions go to its Lead Hotline at 720.859.4411.
What rebates does Aurora Water offer for plumbing fixtures?
The Aurora Water toilet rebate pays up to $100, based on the pre-tax cost of the toilet, when you replace a 1.6 gallon per flush or higher toilet with a WaterSense model using 0.8 gallons per flush. Dual flush models do not qualify. Households can claim up to two toilets every 10 years, the account must be in good standing with a zero balance, and you apply within 90 days of purchase.
Design numbers worth knowing
Aurora's handbook lists a 36 inch frost depth, and its engineering design criteria list a 1 degree Fahrenheit winter design temperature. Water lines in garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls need protection in a cold snap; our frozen pipe guide covers the basics.
Getting help through this site
This site is an independent guide that explains costs, warning signs and how to hire. We are not a contractor and do not do plumbing work. You can email us a request with your Aurora ZIP, what is happening and a few photos; we reply with next steps and, where a licensed local contractor is available, an introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my own water heater in Aurora?
Yes. Aurora's home improvement handbook says a homeowner may replace a water heater themselves, but you must apply for a water heater replacement permit from the Building Division and pass city inspections. Include the tank capacity and whether it is gas or electric on the application. Inspectors also offer free project consultations.
Does a sewer line repair in Aurora need a permit?
According to the city's residential permit list, sewer line repairs do not need a building permit unless new piping is installed. Water line repairs and replacements do need a permit unless the repair is minor. Ask the contractor which category your job falls into and get the answer in writing.
How do I know if my Aurora home has a lead service line?
Enter your address on Aurora Water's service line material map, including the E, W, N or S before the street name. Lines are listed as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, not lead or unknown. More than 5,000 lines are still unknown; you can call the Lead Hotline at 720.859.4411 with questions.
Sources
Independent homeowner guide operated by SWKM GmbH. Not a licensed contractor. We do not perform plumbing work. More about this site.