Home Addition Drawings · Aurora, CO
Permit-Ready Home Addition
Drawings for Aurora, CO
Expand your home with a permitted room addition, second story, or family room extension. We deliver complete, code-compliant drawing sets for Aurora's building department — in 10 business days, starting at $1,497.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Aurora Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Any new square footage added to your Aurora home counts against the same zoning envelope that governs ADU size, meaning large additions may affect your ability to add a future ADU. Aurora's current ADU size cap is 650 sq ft — on the tighter end, which constrains larger conversion plans.
Aurora currently requires owner-occupancy on the primary parcel — meaning one of the units (the main home or the ADU/conversion) must be your primary residence.
If the addition creates a second unit or is later converted to a rental, Aurora's ADU market supports approximately $1,800/month for a 2-bedroom unit.
Permit Process & Fees
Building Division permit fees for this project type typically range from $11,327 to $12,952 depending on project valuation and scope. Plan check runs approximately 5 weeks — though each correction cycle adds 3–6 weeks, which is why code-compliant drawings matter so much.
Addition permit packages submitted to Building Division must include a site plan, floor plans, all four elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance documentation — plus stamped structural drawings are always required for any load-bearing elements, second-story work, or new foundation.
Visit Building Division ↗Construction Cost Context
Aurora's home addition construction costs run $210–$315 per square foot — a wide range driven by labor markets, local code complexity, and finish level. Our drawings are priced at a fraction of what a full-service architect would charge to produce the same permit set.
⚠ Common Pitfall in Aurora
One snag that catches people off guard is Aurora's split jurisdiction near the Arapahoe/Adams County line — if your lot falls in a section served by Aurora Water but platted under old Arapahoe County records, the utility tap fee calculation can get delayed while staff manually verify which water rights apply to your parcel. Aurora also requires a separate zoning certificate before the Building Division will even log your ADU permit application, and that certificate review checks lot coverage against your original subdivision plat, which for many 1970s-era Aurora neighborhoods was never digitized, meaning someone may have to pull paper records from the county archive. Budget an extra 2-3 weeks just for that verification step before your actual permit clock even starts.
Expert Verdict — Marcus Reid, Licensed Designer
"In my experience with Aurora submittals, that 5-week plan check figure and the $300/sqft cost are really state-level estimates rather than local truth, so I'd call the Building Division directly and get a couple of local contractor quotes before penciling in a budget or timeline. Also, five weeks assumes a clean, complete drawing set — I've seen straightforward projects stretch past 10-12 weeks once a single round of corrections gets added to the queue."
Market Context
Aurora has a median home value of $421,000. Comparable renovation projects in this market typically add 22.0% to resale value.
Neighborhoods in Aurora with the strongest home addition and resale value potential include Conservatory, Tallyn's Reach, Southeast Aurora, Saddle Rock, Tollgate Crossing. Large lot sizes and many single-family homes with proximity to E‑470 and employment corridors make ADUs practical here.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Building Division, with a plan check timeline of approximately 5 weeks. Permit fees in Aurora range from $11,327 to $12,952 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - in historic districts only.
Aurora falls within Seismic Design Category Seismic Design Category B, which affects structural requirements for any new addition tying into the existing structure.
Local Financing Resources
Local Home Addition Lenders in Aurora
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for home addition projects in Arapahoe County. Compare terms before committing.
Local Aurora credit union offering HELOCs to area homeowners; contact branch for current rates and limits.
Visit Lender ↗Regional Colorado credit union offering standard and variable HELOC options (terms referenced up to 240 months); also offers mortgage/construction options.
Visit Lender ↗Denver-area credit union offering renovation loan programs and a Home Equity ChoiceLine (HELOC) with fixed-advance options suitable for ADU projects.
Visit Lender ↗Colorado-based bank offering construction-to-permanent loans and home equity products; one-time-close construction options available—contact for loan amounts and rates.
Visit Lender ↗Fintech platform that partners with credit unions nationwide to offer RenoFi renovation loans tailored for ADU projects; terms set by partner credit unions.
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted Home Addition Contractors in Aurora
We draw the plans. These contractors build the addition. Independent — no referral fees paid or received.
Build With A Plan provides drawings only. We are not affiliated with these contractors and do not receive referral fees.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your Aurora Home Addition Package
Transparent Pricing
Aurora Home Addition Drawing Packages
One-time fee. No retainer. No hourly billing.
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans (existing + proposed)
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy compliance
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Stamped structural drawings
- ✓Foundation plan
- ✓Roof framing plan
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Addition Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project Details
Share your property address, existing floor plan (if available), and the addition scope. We assign your project coordinator within 4 business hours.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your complete addition drawing set — engineered for Aurora's building department requirements and CO CBC code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your Building Dept
Download your complete package and submit to Building Division. We support plan check corrections at no extra charge.
Common Questions
Aurora Home Addition FAQs
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Aurora? +
Yes — any structural addition to your home in Aurora requires a building permit. This applies to room additions, second-story additions, sunrooms, and attached garages. You'll need permit-ready drawings before the building department will accept your application. Our packages are formatted specifically for Aurora's submittal requirements.
How much does a home addition cost in Aurora? +
Home additions in Aurora typically cost between $225.0–$350.0 per square foot depending on the scope, finishes, and structural complexity. A 600 sq ft addition ranges from $135,000 to $210,000. Second-story additions cost more than ground-floor extensions due to structural requirements. Our drawing packages start at $1,497 — a fraction of local architectural fees.
What drawings are required to permit a home addition in Aurora? +
Aurora's building department requires: a site plan showing the addition's footprint and setbacks, floor plans for all affected levels, all four exterior elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance (Title 24 in California). Structural plans stamped by a licensed engineer are required for any load-bearing elements — included in our Premium package.
How long does the permit process take for a home addition in Aurora? +
Plan check in Aurora typically takes 5 weeks for home additions. Additions with structural components may require additional review. Complete, code-compliant drawings significantly reduce correction cycles — each cycle adds 3–6 weeks. Our drawings are engineered to pass on the first submittal.
What setbacks apply to home additions in Aurora? +
Aurora enforces minimum setbacks from property lines for all additions: typically 4–5 ft side setbacks and 5 ft rear setbacks, though these vary by zoning district and lot size. Your addition must stay within the buildable envelope. Our site plan documents existing and proposed setbacks and flags any zoning variances required.
Do I need structural drawings for a home addition in Aurora? +
Yes, for most additions. Any load-bearing walls, new foundations, second-story construction, or roof structure changes require stamped structural drawings from a licensed engineer. California's CBC (California Building Code) and seismic requirements make structural plans mandatory for most addition types. Our Standard and Premium packages include stamped structural drawings.
How much do home addition drawings cost in Aurora? +
Our permit-ready home addition drawing packages for Aurora start at $1,497. Local architects and designers typically charge $3,000–$10,000+ for comparable drawing sets. Every package is engineered for CO code compliance and formatted for Aurora's building department. Turnaround is 10 business days with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Will a home addition increase my home's value in Aurora? +
In Aurora, where median home values are approximately $421,000, a permitted home addition adds square footage that appraisers value as part of the home's gross living area. Return on investment varies by addition type — master suite additions, family room expansions, and additional bedrooms typically recoup 50–75% of project cost in appraised value in CO markets.
Can I add a second story to my home in Aurora? +
Second-story additions are permitted in most Aurora residential zones, subject to height limits and design review requirements. California generally requires ministerial permit approval, but some cities impose design compatibility or neighborhood compatibility review for second stories. Our drawings cover all levels including foundation upgrades, shear walls, and roof framing required for vertical additions.
Nearby Cities
Also Available in Aurora
Adding an ADU instead? See our ADU design service.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Aurora ADU?
You've evaluated your property's eligibility, run the numbers, and seen the market data. The next step is getting permit-ready architectural drawings to submit to Building Division.
Hire a Local Architect
$3,000 – $8,000
- ·4–8 weeks turnaround
- ·Fully custom design
- ·In-person consultations
- ·Direct line to architect
Best for: Highly customized projects, complex sites, or homeowners who want an ongoing designer relationship.
Build With A Plan
$997 – $2,997
- ✓10 business days turnaround
- ✓Permit-ready, CA-code compliant
- ✓Same documents your building dept needs
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee
Best for: Homeowners who want fast, affordable permit-ready drawings for a standard ADU build.
Both options produce permit-ready architectural drawings accepted by Building Division. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.