AURORA — The city of Aurora is considering a change in the number of pot plants allowed in home-grown operations.

Under the proposal, the city would allow a total of 12 plants per household. Previously, Aurora allowed six plants per resident in a household. Those numbers were set when medical marijuana was first approved.

The city would allow half of those plants to be flowering at any given time. The city’s pot ordinance already specifies where marijuana can be grown inside a house or apartment.

Police and fire officials have reported problems caused by people growing too many plants in their homes.

Aurora Police Sgt. David Pendleton said the large home grows are creating public safety issues because people were overworking electrical systems and mixing too many chemicals.

“It’s causing fires and it’s creating an environment that is dangerous to public safety as well,” Pendleton said.

The change was approved Tuesday by the council’s public safety committee, but it must receive full council approval before it becomes law.

Aurora officials said the same limits exist in Denver and Boulder.