FAQs

The first step with starting a project in Aurora is to schedule a Development Services Team (DST) meeting. DST Meetings are scheduled to answer project related questions and inform customers of our processes.

Our team is available to meet Tuesdays 1-4pm, Wednesdays 9am-12pm, and Thursdays 1-4pm. Meetings typically last up to one hour and should be scheduled at least a week ahead of time. To meet with our team please complete the Meeting Request Form online. Upon receipt of your request the Planning & Zoning office will call you to schedule a meeting.

A comprehensive list of all development related handouts can be found on the Procedures & Handouts page of our website.

The Review & Approval process varies on a case by case basis. However, typically from the date of formal submittal the following schedule applies. 

• Dedications, Vacations and Minor Variance (15-45 Days) 

• Annexations and Boundary Agreements (45-60 Days)

• Preliminary Plan/Plats (& Revisions), Final Plan/Plats (& Revisions)  (30-75 Days)

• Major Variance, Special Sign District (45-75 Days)

• Annexation Agreements, Rezoning, Conditional Uses, and Comprehensive Plans (60-90 Days)

To verify whether your property is located in a Historic District, use the My Place tool. Search your property’s address and then use the information provided at the bottom of the screen. Scroll to the right to find the Historic District box. To verify if your property is a local landmark visit the Historic Preservation Resources & References page and search under Designated Landmarks.

To apply for an HCOA, you may pick up and return the application at the Building and Permits Division, located at 77 S. Broadway.

No, original wood windows shall first be repaired and if that is not feasible, they shall be replaced with in-kind material and in-kind design. If the window is missing, non-historic, or beyond repair, as determined by the Preservation Commission, the replacement window may also be of contemporary, alternate material if the detailing, dimensions, proportions, etc. are consistent with that of other historic windows. A Historic Certificate of Appropriateness (HCOA) is required. Please apply at 77 S. Broadway.Include pictures of the existing windows and information pertaining to the proposed replacement windows, including cut sheets or sections. A site visit may be required.

Yes, storm windows may be added to windows within the historic districts if done according to the Design Guidelines. Storm windows shall be correctly sized to fit the window opening, including round arches. Frames should obscure the window behind as little as possible and should be full view or have the meeting rail match that of the window behind it. Storm windows can be wood or aluminum with a painted, baked-on, or anodized finish. The finish should match the window frame in order to blend into the surround as much as possible.

No, original wood doors should be restored if possible and shall be replaced with in-kind material and in-kind design. A Historic Certificate of Appropriateness (HCOA)(PDF, 470KB) is required. Please apply at 77 S. Broadway providing pictures of the existing door and information pertaining to the proposed replacement door.

No, original wood siding shall not be covered and shall be restored. Typically, aluminum and vinyl siding are not permitted in the historic districts. If 51% or more of the siding is beyond repair or missing, the Preservation Commission will consider the installation of cement board that matches the reveal and texture of wood siding. Please contact the staff for additional information on siding. A Historic Certificate of Appropriateness (HCOA)(PDF, 470KB) is required.

No, replacement of non-original material still needs an HCOA(PDF, 470KB). The Historic District regulations are not just limited to keeping the current condition of a property but require new changes to be historically appropriate and adhere to the Design Guidelines. 

No, replacement of non-original material still needs an HCOA(PDF, 470KB). Typically, aluminum and vinyl siding is not permitted in the historic districts. If still existing, the original wood siding underneath the synthetic siding should be restored. If restoration is not possible, the Preservation Commission has permitted alternative material, such as cement board that replicates wood. Please contact the staff for additional information on siding before beginning any work.

Roofs may be re-roofed with asphalt or fiberglass shingles if the original materials are determined beyond repair. Asphalt shingles in dark shades of gray, brown, or black are appropriate for the replacement of early asphalt shingles, which were found on many of the homes in the four districts that were constructed in the early 1900s. Roofs should have ridge vents rather than pot/mushroom vents as they are less visually noticeable. If pot/mushroom vents are necessary, they should be located on the rear rooflines, or near the rear for those front-facing gable homes. The vents should match the color of the roof. Gutter straps shall be located under the shingles. A Historic Certificate of Appropriateness (HCOA)(PDF, 470KB) is required.

You may file a report using the InfoAurora Portal. 

An HCOA is required for:

• Any new construction or exterior remodeling.

• Any construction or alteration work that affects the exterior appearance of a property.  This includes, but is not limited to, the following replacements or modifications: doors, exterior lighting fixtures, fences, garages, gutters, handrails, masonry (walls, chimneys or foundations), paint removal, complete repainting, porches (and porch components), siding, stairs, windows.

An HCOA is not required for alterations which do not affect the exterior appearance of a property. This includes, but is not limited to the following: installation of landscaping and plant materials, interior remodels, minor maintenance and repair with no modifications.

Aurora has 4 locally designated historic districts. View the map.

• Near Eastside Historic District - designated 1981

• Riddle Highlands Historic District - designated 1989

• Tanner Historic District - designated 1998

• Palace Street Historic District - designated 1999

Aurora has 4 National Register Districts. View the map.

• Stolp Island Historic District

• LaSalle Street Auto Row Historic District

• Westside Historic District

• Middle Avenue Historic District 

• Aurora Broadway Historic District

The National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. Sites can have significance on a national level as well as a local, community level. The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service but is typically managed at the state level. In Illinois, the state level organization is the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

In addition to the honorific recognition, properties listed individually or deemed to be contributing to a National Register Historic District, may be eligible for Federal tax provisions. A 20% investment tax credit is available for income-producing certified historic structures that undertake rehabilitation work that adheres to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. This rehabilitative tax incentive is available to commercial, industrial, and rental residential buildings.  For more information, visit the National Register website.

Locally designated historic districts (Aurora has 4) and landmarks are not necessarily listed on the National Register. In general, properties listed on the National Register but not designated under Aurora's Preservation Ordinance, do not require the same level of design review that is required for locally designated properties.

To determine permitted zoning for certain uses, refer to Table 1: Use Categories.

To find available real estate in the city you may contact Invest Aurora, Aurora's Economic Development Public/Private Partnership.

For information regarding financial incentives, you may contact Invest Aurora, Aurora's Economic Development Public/Private Partnership.

Chapter 41, Section 41-18 of the Aurora Municipal Code allows a property owner to display the following for special events for up to 14 consecutive days, twice a year with a permit:

1. Up to one (1): inflatable sign, balloon sign, streamer or banner; or

2. Up to two (2) feather flags.

Chapter 41, Section 41-10, wall signs in business and manufacturing districts are limited to 10% of the building facade.

Windows and doors do not need to be subtracted from the calculation, and the height calculation is measured from grade. There is no limit to the number of wall signs, as long as the total permitted square footage is not exceeded. Wall signs are permitted to be placed on any facade, and each facades permitted square footage is calculated independently of the others.

Signs are not permitted to cross or cover windows and door frames, and may not be placed on the roof of structures, otherwise the placement of wall signs is not restricted.

A permit is required. Any changes to ground signs must be reviewed both by Zoning for compliance with the Chapter 41, and by the Building Department for compliance with all applicable building codes.

If the zoning of your property is Planned Development District (PDD), please submit a Land Use Inquiry to determine if the sign proposal constitutes a significant change to any approved Final Plan. To see if your property is PDD, visit the Property Zoning Search tool.

Yes, per Chapter 41, Section 41-15, Digital Message Boards or Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) are permitted components of ground signs. Digital Message Boards are limited to 50% of the permitted sign square footage and must be an integral part of the design for the sign. One digital message board is allowed per street frontage with a maximum of two per property. Any message must remain fixed in the display area for a minimum of 10 seconds. No portion of the message may blink, flash, scroll, or change in illumination intensity. The sign owner or operator of a digital message board must obtain a license and pay an annual licensing fee.

If the zoning of your property is PDD - Planned Development District, please submit a Land Use Inquiry to determine if the sign proposal constitutes a significant change to any approved Final Plan. To see if your property is zoned PDD, visit the Property Zoning Search tool.

See the City Clerk’s page on our website for information on Liquor Licensing in the City of Aurora.

To look up your property’s zoning, use the Property Zoning Search Tool.

To look up permitted uses, see Table 1: Use Categories in Chapter 49: Zoning Ordinance.  

If you are unsure of what category your property falls under, please call 630-256-3080.

Note: To determine the permitted uses on a property, you first need to know what it is zoned.  To look up a property’s zoning, use the Property Zoning Search tool. 

Setback requirements vary depending on the property’s zoning.  Please refer to the links below based on zoning district. If you are unsure of whether your property is located in a Conditional Use Districts or Planned Development District, please refer to the Property Zoning Search Tool.

For setbacks in Conditional Use Districts or Planned Development Districts, please call 630-256-3080.

For each link, scroll down to (11) or (12) of Bulk Restrictions

R-1, scroll down to (11) Setbacks

R-2, scroll down to (11) Setbacks 

R-3, scroll down to (11) Setbacks

R-4, scroll down to (12) setbacks

R-4A, scroll down to (12) Setbacks

R-5, scroll down to (12) Setbacks

R-5A, scroll down to (12) Setbacks

"B-1" Business District, Local Retail

"B-2" Business District-General Retail

"B-3" Business and Wholesale District

"O" Office

"DC" Downtown Core

"DF" Downtown Fringe District

"RD" Research and Development District

"ORI" Office, Research, and Light Industry District

"NC" Neighborhood Commercial District

"M-1" Manufacturing District, Limited

"M-2" Manufacturing District, General

The Planning & Zoning division can provide a Zoning Verification Letter upon request. Please complete an online Land Use Inquiry (LUI) form and please contact the office at 630-256-3080 to pay the fees below or send a letter and a check to City of Aurora, Zoning and Planning, 44 E Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507. 

Fee schedule:

• Certificate Letter of Zoning Verification $3
• Certificate Letter of Zoning Compliance $20
• Certificate Letter of Non-Conforming Use $30

A Plat of Survey should be provided to the homeowner at the time of purchase of the property. The City of Aurora does not keep records of Plats of Survey.A professional Land Surveyor must be hired.

First check to see if your property is annexed into the city making a city property. Search the Property Zoning Search App to see if your property is shown in a grey highlight or no highlight.

If your property is within the city limits and is already annexed, then connecting to city water can be done through a Building Permit. Please contact the Building and Permits Division.

If your property is within the city limits but not yet annexed, or if your property is outside the city limits, a connection to city water is at the discretion of the Planning & Zoning Division.  In this case, a Development Services Team (DST) Meeting is recommended. You may request a DST Meeting using our online form. 

Owners are responsible for extending the water main to their building. Cost for extension varies due to exact lengths and distance from existing main to the building being serviced.  

To verify whether your property is located in a Historic District, use the My Place tool. Search your property’s address and then use the information provided at the bottom of the screen. Scroll to the right to find the Historic District box.  To verify if your property is a local landmark visit the Historic Preservation Resources & References page and search under Designated Landmarks. 

One outside employee (a person who does not reside at the home) is permitted to be employed in a permitted home occupation. No retail sales, use of a detached building such as a garage or shed or business signs may be displayed. Only normal residential traffic is allowed. SeeSection 107.3, Aurora Zoning Ordinance for the complete Home Occupation Regulations.

A day care is a permitted home occupation.A maximum number of eight (8) children under the age of twelve (12), which includes the natural or adopted children of the persons operating the babysitting service or day care home, is allowed. Said services shall be allowed to operate within the home and have limited supervised outdoor activity.

No permit is required. Garage sales/yard sales may be conducted no more than 2 times per year.

• Each garage sale may last no longer than 3 consecutive days
• No signs nor merchandise may be displayed on public property between sidewalk and curb

The City of Aurora does not maintain or keep on file Homeowners Association documents. The Official Documents should be on file at your County Recorder's Office. The current officers of the Association should be on file with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, you will need to know the legal name of the Association, which you can find on the documents from the County Recorder's Office.

No commercial vehicles above a “B” plate classification nor equipment are permitted to be parked/stored in a residential area. This will also include any tow trucks, panel trucks, dump trucks and all commercial equipment. Only one (1) commercial vehicle with a “B” plate classification is allowed per residence.

Parking of one (1) recreational vehicle for each zoning lot may take place in interior side or interior rear yards provided that the vehicle is set back six (6) feet from all adjoining residential structures. Recreational vehicles include trailers, boats and pop up-campers. These types of vehicles must be located five (5) feet from the rear property line and three (3) feet from the interior side property line.

Trailer homes are not permitted to be parked on any vacant residential lots, only within the trailer parks in Aurora. Parking of any kind of trailer, trucks, other vehicles, etc. is not permitted on residential properties. Commercial zoned lots may have exceptions. Residential properties will not be rezoned as commercial for the primary use of parking.

Yes, portable pods are allowed on driveways. A permit is not required. The Chapter 49, Section 104.4 limits parking of these types of objects to fifteen (15) consecutive days.

No, driveways are not allowed on vacant lots.

No, fences are not permitted to be built around vacant lots.