The City of Asheville categorizes commercial construction and multi-family housing within three levels as described below:
- Level I: Commercial construction less than 35,000 square feet or less than 20 multi-family units; Level I permits are reviewed at the city staff level.
- Level II: Commercial construction 35,000-100,000 square feet or 20-50 multi-family units; Level II projects are reviewed by city staff and the Technical Review Committee (TRC).
- Level III: Commercial construction larger than 100,000 square feet or more than 50 multi-family units; Level III projects are reviewed by city staff, the Technical Review Committee (TRC), the Planning and Zoning Commission and Asheville City Council.
Information Required for Permit Applications
The number and type of plans required for a commercial or multi-family project depend on the scope and details of the proposed development. The following examples of plan requirements are relevant to most commercial projects. Since these requirements may vary, please contact the staff liaison for your project using the contact information below. Please note: pre-development conferences are required for Level II and Level III projects.
- Commercial & Multi-Family Permit Application
- Event Application
- Small Commercial Construction Summary
- Zoning Permit Applications
- Level I: Two (2) complete full-sized sets of site plans and one (1) 11 x 17 reduced set, a completed checklist of requirements, and a completed Commerical & Multi-family Permit Application.
- Level II and III Reviews: Number of complete sets of site plans is determined at the required Pre-Application Meeting; completed Checklist of Requirements, and; a completed Zoning Permit Application.
- Grading & Stormwater Permit Applications:
- More than 10,000 sq. ft. disturbed area: Three (3) or Four (4) complete sets of formal grading and erosion control plans, and three (3) sets of stormwater run-off calculations. Applicant must also submit one (1) set of Preliminary Landscape Plans.
- Less than 10,000 sq. ft. disturbed area: One (1) copy of an erosion control and grading sketch plan and one (1) set of Preliminary Landscape Plans.
- Building Permit Applications: Three (3) complete sets of construction plans, and three (3) copies of the Site Plan. The three sets of site plans required for building permit applications are in addition to the two (two) sets required for zoning permits; therefore, the applicant will submit five (5) total site plans for zoning and building permits. Three (3) completed copies of Appendix B (from Vol. 1-A of the North Carolina Building Code including energy requirements) must be attached as the first or second sheet of plan documents. The above link directs to NC Office of State Fire Marshal for both 2009 and 2012 versions.
- Driveway Applications: Two (2) sets of site plans showing driveway locations and details of any construction within street rights-of-way. Driveway permit information is included on the building permit application. Please Note: new drive entrances for some streets will also require approval by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
- Water & Sewer Service: If the project involves new sewer service or additions to existing sewer systems (such as the addition of new fixtures), contact Kay Farlow or Cecelia Cardascio with the Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) at (828) 254-9646. A Sewer Service Application may need to be approved prior to submitting for a permit. MSD will fax tentative approval to the City of Asheville. If a fee is required for the MSD approval, it can be paid in the city's Development Services Center. Make your check made payable to the Metropolitan Sewerage District (please note that we are unable to accept cash or credit card for MSD at this time). If a new water tap is required for your project, complete a Water Availability Application.
- Amendment Application
- ABC Application
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Application
- Temporary Utility Service Application
- A Business Occupancy or Tenant Change With No Construction Work Performed
You are moving into a vacant tenant space with a new business similar to the previous tenant and will not be performing any construction work - do you need a "building permit?"
There are still life safety requirements that must be approved before you can open. These life safety items are verified through a permit and inspection program administered through the Development Service Center located at 161 South Charlotte Street (828-259-5846). The City of Asheville has streamlined this process to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy by working with one inspector and one form for you to complete. Therefore, you must fill out an Tenant Occupancy Application giving us information on the new business, certify you are performing no construction work, pay a nominal inspection fee, and site vertify that all the required life safety items are in place before you open for business. A business license is also required for most types of commerical operations, such as retail, services, hotel, or food sales. Additional information and application can be found at the link provided.
If you are performing no construction work the permit will be issued while you wait in most instances. The inspection can occur the next business day when all the life safety requirements are met and you have called for the inspection as per the instructions as printed on your permit.
Contact Information
Level I Projects
Development Services Center
Susannah Carver, Senior Project Manager
Location: 161 S. Charlotte St., Room A101
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday
Phone: (828) 259-5675
E-mail: scarver@ashevillenc.gov
Level II and III Projects
Development Services Center
Kim Hamel, Technical Review Manager
Ricky Hurley, Project Engineer
Location: 161 S. Charlotte Street, Room A101
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday
Contact: Kim - khamel@ashevillenc.gov (828) 259-5849
Ricky - rhurley@ashevillenc.gov (828) 259-5674