General building work permit checklist — Aurora, Illinois
Assembled from Aurora’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Aurora requires a permit for general building work.
Interior cosmetic work such as painting, flooring, and carpeting does not require a permit. Siding does not require a permit, and windows being replaced for the same size do not require a permit; in both cases properties in a Historic/Foxwalk District are excluded. Backyard patios that are not connected to a driveway do not require a permit, though the Zoning Ordinance requires each property to maintain a percentage of the property as green space.
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Sources
- building — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Aurora publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Fence permit checklist
- Shed permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Retaining wall permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Aurora before you build.