Bolthole Index

Kane County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Aurora, Illinois

Aurora, Illinois requires a city building permit for new construction, additions, structural changes and interior remodels.1 Aurora’s Zoning & Planning Division handles property zoning guidance.2 For Aurora parcels in Kane County, private sewage permitting goes through Kane County Health Department; confirm the parcel’s county before choosing a health office.34

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required for new construction, additions and structural changes1
Zoning
City zoning classifications and ordinance; check the parcel with Zoning & Planning2
Septic
Kane County Health Department for Kane County parcels; verify jurisdiction for the address3
Owner-builder
Homeowner waiver available with owner-occupancy conditions; building permits still required1
Building fees
Published schedule has separate application, inspection, plan-review and occupancy charges5
Private wells
Illinois requires approval before new construction, modification or sealing; confirm the local health office6

Who to call

Building permits

City of Aurora Division of Building and Permits

Building permit applications, contractor requirements, inspections and permit completion inside Aurora city limits

(630) 256-3130

77 S Broadway, 1st Floor Aurora, IL 60505

Zoning

City of Aurora Zoning & Planning Division

Property zoning classifications, land-use inquiries and development review

(630) 256-3080

77 S. Broadway, 2nd Floor Aurora, IL 60505

Septic permits

Kane County Health Department, Environmental Health (Private Sewage Program)

Private sewage permitting and review for parcels in Kane County; confirm parcel jurisdiction before applying

630-444-3040

1240 N. Highland Ave., Aurora, IL 60506

Floodplain permits

City of Aurora Engineering Division

Floodplain maps, drainage questions and engineering requirements for city development

(630) 256-3200

2185 Liberty St. Aurora, IL 60502

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Aurora means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Aurora, IL?

Aurora requires building permits for new construction, additions, structural changes and interior remodels, including work done by homeowners.1 Interior cosmetic work such as painting, flooring and carpeting is listed among the city’s building-permit exemptions.1 Exterior work on historic property or property in the FoxWalk District always requires a permit, so the address matters as well as the scope of work.1 Aurora administers its own building code and adopted model codes; the city’s plan review checks proposed construction before work begins.78

Who issues building permits in Aurora, and what do they cost?

Aurora’s Division of Building and Permits is the city contact for building applications and inspections at (630) 256-3130, with its counter at 77 S Broadway, 1st Floor Aurora, IL 60505.1 The residential new/addition schedule lists a $278 application fee, a $1,817 minimum inspection fee, a $278 minimum plan-review fee and a $115 certificate-of-occupancy fee.5 Those are separate charges, and the schedule also lists engineering, water, sewer and other possible charges rather than a single all-inclusive price.5 Ask Building and Permits for the project-specific fee calculation.

Does Aurora have zoning, and can you live in an RV or tiny home?

Aurora provides a property zoning search, zoning map books and an online zoning ordinance for land inside city limits.2 The city’s Zoning & Planning Division takes specific questions through its Land Use Inquiry form.4 We could not confirm Aurora’s residential RV, temporary camping, tiny-home or accessory-dwelling rules; ask Zoning & Planning to evaluate the proposed use at the parcel’s address. We also could not confirm district-specific lot sizes, setbacks or minimum dwelling sizes. Request those district requirements before choosing a home design or treating a parked RV as temporary housing.

How do septic permits and private wells work inside Aurora?

For Aurora land under Kane County Health Department jurisdiction, new septic systems, repairs and capacity upgrades require a KCHD septic permit, and permitted septic work must be performed by a licensed septic contractor.9 A soil evaluation is required for a new system or renovation involving the septic field; a tank replacement does not require that evaluation.9 Aurora separately regulates use of and connection to its sewer system.10 Ask the city about sewer access before planning private sewage disposal. Illinois requires a permit before constructing, modifying or sealing a private well.6 We could not confirm a single septic or well office serving every Aurora address; verify the parcel’s county and health authority first.

Building a home in Aurora: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Identify the parcel’s zoning and county using Aurora’s property tools, then submit a Land Use Inquiry for the proposed home and any temporary living arrangement.24
  2. Discuss the project with Aurora’s Development Services Team before submitting plans; the team answers project questions and explains review and approval processes.4
  3. Submit the city building application through the E-Trakit online portal and obtain plan review before construction.18
  4. Pay outstanding building-permit fees and satisfy city contractor licensing requirements before permit issuance.1
  5. Follow the inspection sequence listed on the issued building permit, and ask Building and Permits about the project’s occupancy certification.111

What should you check before buying land in Aurora?

Aurora’s Engineering Division provides floodplain maps and FEMA resources for assessing a property’s flood risk; contact the city division rather than assuming a county floodplain counter handles the address.12 Work in Aurora’s public right of way requires a permit and may require a licensed public works contractor.1 For work within a state-maintained roadway’s right of way, IDOT requires its own permit before work starts.13 If an Aurora property already has septic, Kane County Health Department does not provide septic inspections for home sales or mortgage transactions.14 For land outside Aurora city limits, use the Kane County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area building and zoning rules.1516

Watch-outs

  • Aurora homeowners doing their own construction must still apply for required building permits.1
  • Aurora’s homeowner waiver requires continued owner occupancy for at least 6 months and matching government-issued identification; electrical work exceeding $500 requires a licensed electrical contractor.1
  • We could not confirm Aurora’s RV or tiny-home occupancy rules; ask Zoning & Planning before arranging temporary housing.4
  • Kane County Health Department generally requires public-sewer connection when available, subject to its documented exceptions; a septic plan is not a substitute for checking sewer access.17

Sources

  1. City of Aurora Division of Building and Permits (aurora.il.us)
  2. Zoning and Planning | City of Aurora, IL (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  4. City of Aurora Zoning & Planning Division (aurora.il.us)
  5. 2026 Fee Schedule | City of Aurora Development Services Department (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  6. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Division of Building and Permits | City of Aurora, IL (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  8. Division of Building and Permits | City of Aurora, IL (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  9. Septic Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  10. Protecting Waterways | City of Aurora, IL (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  11. Division of Building and Permits | City of Aurora, IL (Aurora), quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Aurora Engineering Division (aurora.il.us)
  13. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  15. Building & Zoning Division (2026 county census)
  16. Building & Zoning Division — Zoning Resources (2026 county census)
  17. Septic Sewage, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Aurora

Aurora’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner of record personally performing work at an owner-occupied single-family dwelling inside Aurora city limits.

    • The owner must have occupied the dwelling, continue living there for at least six months after construction, submit identification and recordings demonstrating occupancy, and submit an owner's affidavit.
    • Electrical work requiring special knowledge and training must be performed by a licensed contractor.
    • The owner may not hire assistance unless the assistant becomes a licensed contractor in the appropriate trade.

    post-construction occupancy period: >= 6 months (Owner of record must continue to live in the residence after construction.)

    “The provisions herein contained shall not require an owner of record having occupied a single-family dwelling from personally doing his own work on said owner-occupied single-family dwelling to obtain a registration; provided that said owner of record will continue to live in the residence for a period of not less than six (6) months after the completion of the construction and submits the required identification(s) and recordings demonstrating current occupancy of the structure and an owners affidavit attesting to current and continuing occupancy.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction subject to the City of Aurora Building and Permits Division inside Aurora city limits.

    • The City administers and enforces the Aurora Building Code, adopted model codes, and ordinances.
    “Major functions include administration and enforcement of the Aurora Building Code, adopted model codes, and ordinances.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Construction and occupancy certification handled by the City of Aurora Building and Permits Division.

    • The City provides certificate-of-occupancy issuance to certify compliance; the reviewed source does not establish that every residential or other occupancy requires one.
    “A certificate of occupancy issuance is provided to certify that, to the best of our knowledge, the construction is in compliance with the requirements of our ordinances and codes.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Aurora city limits.

    • Chapter 49 is Aurora's zoning ordinance; use and dimensional requirements vary by zoning district and applicable approvals.
    “The regulations of this Chapter 49 of this code may be officially known, and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance." References in this code or in other official enactments by the city to the “AZO,” or the “Aurora Zoning Ordinance” shall be construed to refer to this chapter.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning classifications inside Aurora city limits.

    • The City provides a property zoning search tool, zoning map books, and an online zoning ordinance.
    • The reviewed pages did not expose the district dimensional tables in searchable text.
    “The Zoning & Planning Division provides zoning guidance, property information, and development support. Use tools like My Place and Property Zoning Search for property details, zoning classifications, and local services in Aurora.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in Aurora's R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.

    • The 1,150-square-foot measure applies to one-story dwelling units; the 1,450-square-foot measure applies to dwellings of more than one story.

    one-story dwelling minimum ground floor area: >= 1150 square feet · more-than-one-story dwelling minimum total floor area: >= 1450 square feet

    “One-Story Dwelling. Every one-story dwelling unit shall have a total ground floor area of not less than eleven hundred and fifty (1150) square feet. Dwellings more than one-story. Every dwelling of more than one story shall have a total floor area of not less than fourteen hundred fifty (1450) square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    One-family detached dwellings in Aurora's R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.

    • The standard applies to a one-family detached dwelling hereafter erected or structurally altered.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet · minimum lot width at established building line: >= 75 feet

    “One-family detached dwelling. Every one-family detached dwelling hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be on a lot having an area of not less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures and uses in Aurora's R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.

    • The front setback has an infill-lot exception based on the average established setback line of the Impact Area and section 49-107.3(d).
    • Religious institutions have a side-setback exception of at least 10 feet on each side and a combined side setback of at least 25 feet.

    front setback: 30 feet (Subject to cited infill-lot exception.) · exterior side setback, corner lot: 10 feet · exterior side setback, reverse corner lot: 15 feet · interior side setback: 6 feet on lots less than 60 feet wide or less; 8 feet on lots greater than 60 feet · rear setback: 30 feet

    “All structures and uses shall be established outside of the required setback areas as defined by the following required setback lines: R1 Setback Lines *Front | *Side, exterior (corner lot) | *Side, exterior (reverse corner lot) | *Side, interior | Rear 30' | 10' | 15' | 6’ on lots less than 60’ wide or less / 8’ on lots greater than 60’ | 30'”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Zoning lots in Aurora's R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 40 percent

    “Lot coverage shall not exceed forty (40) percent.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings and structures in Aurora's R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.

    • Religious-institution towers or steeples may be 75 feet, while the main structure may not exceed 45 feet.

    maximum building height including accessory buildings: <= 35 feet (Not over 2.5 stories.) · maximum structure height: <= 35 feet

    “Height of buildings. The maximum height of buildings permitted shall be as follows: Buildings including accessory: Thirty-five (35) feet and not over two and one-half (2 1/2) stories. Religious Institutions: Seventy-five (75) feet for towers or steeples, but not more than forty-five (45) feet for the main structure.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connections to the City of Aurora sewer system inside Aurora city limits.

    • Use of and connection to the City sewer system are regulated by Municipal Code sections 48-103 and 48-131 through 48-142.
    • The reviewed official page identifies regulation of sewer connections but does not establish a universal distance or availability trigger for every new home.
    “Use of the City’s sewer system, and connection to it, are regulated by Section 48-103 and Sections 48-131 through 48-142 of the Municipal Code website.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    City of Aurora building permits and related inspections and certificates.

    • The 2026 adjusted fee schedule applies to permits applied for after January 1, 2026.
    • Fees vary by permit type and may include application, inspection, plan-review, certificate, engineering, water, sewer, and other charges.

    residential new/addition application fee: 278 USD · residential new/addition permit inspection fee minimum: 1817 USD · residential new/addition plan review fee minimum: 278 USD · residential new/addition certificate of occupancy fee: 115 USD · sanitary sewer connection fee: 250 USD (Additional fee listed in the schedule) · Fox Metro inspection fee: 35 USD (Additional fee listed in the schedule)

    “RESIDENTIAL NEW/ ADDITION $278 $1,817 $278 $115”
  • Permit processPublished

    City of Aurora development and building-permit review process.

    • The City provides pre-review meetings, plan reviews, site inspections, an online portal, permit applications, review timeframes, and a permit process handout.
    “Plan reviews are provided to ascertain if the proposed construction complies with ordinance and code requirements prior to commencement of construction.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Aurora or Kane County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Aurora city limits.
  • Inspections — Residential construction inside Aurora city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy inside Aurora city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Aurora city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Aurora city limits.
12 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Aurora publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kane County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Kane County: county rules, score and offices