Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit in Aurora, Colorado (2026)
Your restaurant cannot open, and the fire marshal can red-tag your kitchen if you install a hood system without this permit. The Aurora Fire Department issues the Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit, also called a commercial kitchen ventilation approval. Key facts:
- 38 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 32
- $0–$0 government filing fees (no permit fee from Aurora Fire)
- Timeline varies based on plan review and inspection scheduling
Analyzed from Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit
84% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit
In Aurora, installing or altering a commercial kitchen ventilation system triggers a standalone permit because it involves fire, life safety, and building integrity. This requirement is enforced under the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC 904 and IFC 507), which is adopted by the State of Colorado and administered locally by the Aurora Building Division. The system's design must also comply with the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC Chapter 5) for exhaust rates and makeup air, and the Aurora Municipal Code, which adds local amendments. This permit is separate from your overall building or tenant improvement permit; you cannot get a final Certificate of Occupancy without its specific approval.
Proceeding without this permit or failing an inspection puts your entire opening timeline at risk. The Aurora Building Division has authority to issue immediate enforcement actions, including:
- Stop-Work Orders: Halting all construction on-site, including unrelated trades, until the violation is corrected. This can delay your project by weeks.
- Certificate of Occupancy Denial: The city will not issue a final C of O for the space, meaning you legally cannot open for business to the public.
- Fines and Required Demolition; Inspectors can levy daily fines for non-compliance and may require you to demolish and re-install the entire non-compliant hood system at your expense.
- Insurance and Lease Violations: Most commercial leases and property insurance policies require all work to be permitted and inspected. Unpermitted work can void your policy and put you in default of your lease.
Legal code: State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
Recent update: As of 2026, the Aurora Building Division has transitioned to a fully digital plan review and permit issuance system for mechanical permits, which can expedite the initial submission and review timeline compared to previous paper-based processes.
Who Needs a Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required under Aurora Municipal Code § 10-96 and International Mechanical Code § 507, as all commercial cooking appliances generating grease-laden vapors need permitted hood systems. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if the establishment has any commercial cooking or food warming appliances (e.g., fryers, griddles), per Aurora Fire Code § 904 and IMC § 507. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required, as mobile food units must have a permitted, listed commercial kitchen ventilation system, verified by the Aurora Fire Department during plan review and inspection. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if using any appliance that produces grease or smoke (e.g., panini press, oven, griddle); exemptions only apply to equipment listed for residential use without hoods. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (38 Fields)
32 of 38 auto-filledProfessional Engineer Name
textEnter the full legal name of the Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Design Professional (RDP) responsible for the system's design and stamping the drawings, exactly as it appears on their state license.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting the name of the contractor, equipment supplier, or architect instead of the licensed Professional Engineer responsible for the mechanical design, which will cause the application to be rejected.
PE License Number
textEnter the active license number issued to the named engineer by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or their home state's licensing board, including any prefix letters.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting the license number, entering an expired or inactive number, or using an architect's license number instead of a Professional Engineer's, which will delay review until corrected.
Hood Manufacturer
textEnter the complete, official company name of the hood's manufacturer (e.g., 'Greenheck Fan Corporation', 'CaptiveAire Systems, Inc.') as listed on the equipment cut sheets or specification data.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an abbreviation, a distributor's name, or a generic term like 'local fabricator' without approved documentation, which reviewers will flag for clarification.
Hood Model Number
textEnter the specific alphanumeric model identifier for the hood assembly from the manufacturer's product literature, which determines its UL 710 listing and performance ratings.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a serial number, a part number for a component, or an incorrect model that doesn't match the submitted cut sheets, triggering a request for corrected documentation.
Hood Length
textEnter the total interior capture length of the hood in feet and inches (e.g., '8'-0"') or decimal feet, as shown on the approved mechanical plans, which determines required exhaust CFM.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using the exterior cabinet dimension or the length of the cooking line instead of the internal capture dimension, leading to an understated exhaust calculation and plan review rejection.
Hood Width
textEnter the interior width of the hood in feet and inches or decimal feet, as shown on the plans; for canopy hoods, this is the distance from the rear to the front lower edge.
Hood Height
textEnter the interior height or depth of the hood plenum in feet and inches, critical for determining grease storage capacity and compliance with UFC/IFGC clearance requirements.
Hood Type (Type I or Type II)
textEnter 'Type I' for hoods over grease-producing appliances (e.g., fryers, griddles) or 'Type II' for hoods over heat/steam-producing appliances (e.g., dishwashers, ovens), per IMC classification.
COMMON MISTAKE: Misclassifying the hood type (e.g., calling a hood over a fryer 'Type II'), which is a fundamental code violation and will cause immediate rejection of the application.
Hood Operating Weight (lbs)
textEnter the total operating weight in pounds, including the hood body, internal baffle filters, grease cups, and any installed fire suppression system, required for structural review.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting the shipping weight or an estimate instead of the certified weight from the manufacturer's stamped data sheet, which can delay structural approval.
Total Exhaust Rate (CFM)
textEnter the total designed exhaust airflow in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM), calculated per IMC Chapter 5 and the hood manufacturer's specifications for the applied length and appliance BTU load.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the fan's maximum capacity or a rounded estimate instead of the calculated, code-compliant CFM from the engineered plans, which will fail mechanical review.
ApronPrep auto-fills 32 of 38 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit Mistakes
1. Submitting generic or non-detailed equipment schedules
Many applications list only the manufacturer and model number without providing the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, fuel type, and required clearances for each appliance under the hood. The Aurora Planning and Development Services Department requires this for airflow calculations, and incomplete data triggers a review stop. To avoid this, provide a cut sheet from the hood manufacturer specifying CFM for each appliance group and list each cooking appliance's BTU rating and fuel type directly on the application.
2. Missing the certified mechanical drawing seal
Submitting plans without the stamp and signature of a Colorado-licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or a Registered Design Professional (RDP) is an automatic rejection. Aurora's building code (based on the International Mechanical Code) mandates that commercial kitchen ventilation systems be designed by a licensed professional. This mistake adds 2–4 weeks as you must re-engage your designer, get the plans sealed, and resubmit. Always verify the seal is present, legible, and current before submitting your packet.
3. Incorrectly specifying the exhaust termination point
Applications often vaguely state 'to exterior' without detailing the roof or wall penetration location, height above the roof, and distance from property lines or air intakes. The Aurora Fire Department and building officials review this for fire safety and nuisance odor compliance. A vague description results in a request for information (RFI), delaying permit issuance by 1–2 weeks. Provide the specific termination coordinates on your site plan and note the distance to the nearest operable window or air intake on an adjacent property.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 32 of 38 fields from one compliance interview.
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Hood/Exhaust Ventilation System Permit by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | ||
| Colorado Springs | Contact Colorado Springs Fire Department for current permit and inspection fees | Timeline varies by design complexity and inspection availability; typically 2-4 weeks from submission to final approval |
| Denver | Contact Denver Community Planning and Development for current permit fees | 10-20 business days pending plan review and inspection scheduling |
Timeline: 2-4 Weeks (Review) + Construction Period
Engage a single licensed professional engineer to design complete kitchen hood exhaust system
You must hire a Colorado-licensed mechanical or fire protection engineer registered with the City of Aurora to design your entire system from canopy to roof termination. They will need your finalized kitchen equipment list and architectural plans. Submitting plans signed by an unregistered professional is a guaranteed rejection, adding 2+ weeks to your timeline.
Prepare sealed construction documents addressing all applicable DMC sections (506, 507, 508)
Your engineer stamps and seals a full set of drawings showing compliance with the Denver Mechanical Code (DMC) Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8, which Aurora enforces. This includes detailed calculations for exhaust CFM, make-up air, and duct velocities. Missing the engineer's wet seal on every sheet is a top rejection reason.
Include floor plans, equipment schedules, details, and specifications in sealed drawings
Plans must show the exact location of every hood, fryer, grill, oven, and exhaust fan, keyed to a detailed schedule listing each piece's model, BTU output, and required exhaust rate. The city's plan reviewers cross-reference this schedule against your calculations—discrepancies trigger a full re-submittal.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local building department in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing timelines can vary significantly based on project complexity and the department's workload. The City of Aurora states typical reviews take several weeks for standard projects. It's critical to complete your Building Permit application concurrently, as both reviews are interconnected and can affect the overall timeline—contact the Development Engineering Division to confirm current wait times.
According to the City of Aurora Development Engineering Division, there are no separate government filing fees for a standalone hood/exhaust permit. However, the mechanical ventilation system is reviewed as part of the overall mechanical plan under the associated building permit. You may incur plan review and permit fees for the broader Building Permit—verify all applicable costs with the city's Development Engineering Division.
No, you cannot transfer this permit. Permits for mechanical systems like hoods and exhaust are issued for a specific location and installation. If you relocate your restaurant or kitchen, you must submit a new application and plan review for the new site, which may require a new Certificate of Occupancy. Contact Aurora's Development Engineering Division to confirm the full scope of new requirements.
A hood/exhaust ventilation system permit does not require periodic renewal. Once issued and approved through final inspection, the permit is closed. However, if you modify or replace the system, you must apply for a new permit. The system's ongoing compliance is also verified during other inspections, such as those for your City Business License/Registration, per the Aurora Fire Department.
A city inspector will verify the installation matches the approved mechanical plans, checking for proper clearances, fire-rated construction, duct routing, and the correct rating of the hood and exhaust fan. They will also ensure the system is interlocked with the fire suppression system. A failed inspection requires corrections and re-inspection, delaying your ability to operate—prepare by having all approved plans on-site.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 38 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
- Aurora — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Colorado Springs — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Denver — Building Department / Inspectional Services
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