How to have legal/up-to-code SFH basement rental in Aurora, CO?

[Nilusha Jayasinghe]

Hi all,

I am new to REI and want to begin by renting the basement of a SFH. However, we spoke to Aurora's code enforcement team and they make it seem impossible and scared the bajeezus out of me. I understand that a stove is against code, but they also say a hot plate is against code as is any sort of kitchenette, and that the only way to legally have an income-producing basement in a SFH is to make it a short-term rental like Airbnb which we do not want to do. They say that in Aurora, there is no such thing as rezoning to convert the SFH into a MFH either.

I do not want to run any operations against code/illegally so what they told me was a bummer. But, looking online, I see numerous SFH basement rentals. So are all these landlords doing this illegally/against code? I also feel confused about what exactly is illegal/against code here: is it only that I can't have a stove/hot plate in the basement? Or are long-term rentals in the basement of a SFH not allowed, period?

I plan on asking the City to refer me to the actual code/rules. I wanted to post here in the interim to get any ideas/thoughts you all have on my questions above since this is my first time trying to get into REI and you all know much more than me. Thank you in advance!