What we do Last updated or reviewed on October 5, 2026 The Planning & Urban Design Department serves and works with the community to realize Asheville’s long-term vision. Through thoughtful land-use planning and urban design, we foster community character, support resilient development, and help create vibrant, livable places that promote a high quality of life for current and future generations. Learn more about department services, projects and initiatives by clicking any of the tabs at the top of this page. Scroll down for quick links to some of our more popular services. Quick Links ONLINE DEVELOPMENT-RELATED SERVICES: Learn about our development review process, pay fees, submit a digital permit application, or schedule an inspection. See other Related Services below for additional development services available to you. Click here for Online Development-Related Services. ZONING SERVICES: Zoning enforcement resources and zoning verification letters. Click here for Zoning Services. PLANNER OF THE DAY (POD): To reach the Planner of the Day for your zoning-related questions, please call 828-259-5450 or email POD@ashevillenc.gov. *Notice of POD hours change starting 10/1/2026: POD will now only take walk-ins Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm. Email and phone inquires will continue to be answered from 8:30am-5:00pm. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Planning & Urban Design is responsible for managing nine boards and commissions. Navigate to the tab at the top of the page, or click here for more information on Boards and Commissions. Updated information regarding the operations of all boards and commissions can be found by visiting the City Clerk’s page. Visit https://www.ashevillerecovers.org for the latest updates on Helene Recovery Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 and 161 S. Charlotte Street (Zoning and Site Plan Review) Mailing Address P. O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5830 Business HoursMonday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Interim Department DirectorChris CollinsAdditional LinksStaff Directory Related Services Stewarding Public Space Learn about city-supported programs that focus on healthy food and habitat, cleanliness and the environment. Community Gardens and Edible Parks Pollinator Habitat Adopt-a-Street Community Litter Clean-Up Improved Uses or Additions to Public Space Learn about pathways to implement temporary or permanent physical improvements, installations, or activations that support placemaking. Public Art Street Pole Banners Temporary Activation Program Public Space Enhancements Program Commercial Use of Public Space Learn about commercial activities associated with an adjacent or mobile business. Outdoor Dining Outdoor Merchandise> Pushcarts A-Frame Signs Food Trucks Meet with a Development Liaison The Development Liaison helps coordinate across departments, clarify requirements, and support projects facing prolonged timelines, conflicting standards, or unique property hardships — especially in flood-impacted areas. Learn about large-scale development Keep up to date on current projects and applications. Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov. Schedule a Technical Review Committee Pre-Application Meeting Schedule your required pre-application meeting for Level II, Level III, Conditional Zoning and Major Subdivision reviews. Apply for a homestay permit Apply for a new homestay permit or apply to renew your existing permit. Look up information about a permit Use online tools to look up information about permits Check whether your address is within city limits Search to see if it is within the City of Asheville's permitting jurisdiction. Find location and zoning information Find the zoning information for your project. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Biltmore Village Infrastructure Recovery Click to read more. Montford Design Standard Amendments Click to read more. Eagle and Market Street Enhancements The Eagle and Market Street Enhancements project aims to improve public space use with a cohesive and inspired design for the historically Black business district known as The Block. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News Actions and presentations at the October 13, Asheville City Council Meeting Posted on October 13, 2026October 13, 2026 by Kim Miller City Council considers agenda items including: the funding of new seasonal wreaths and business support for downtown, a public hearing on Costco, and the HOME - ARP program bringing additional affordable housing to Asheville at the October 13, 2026 session. City Council Approves $265,000 in Downtown Municipal Service District Investments Posted on October 13, 2026 by Kim Miller An investment of Downtown Municipal Service District (MSD) sales tax revenue brings support to downtown businesses during upcoming construction projects and replaces aging seasonal decorations. Actions and presentations at the September 22, Asheville City Council Meeting Posted on September 22, 2026 by Kim Miller City Council considers agenda items and marks 2 years of Helene related recovery during the September 22, 2026 session Explore Planning and Urban Design News
Stewarding Public Space Learn about city-supported programs that focus on healthy food and habitat, cleanliness and the environment. Community Gardens and Edible Parks Pollinator Habitat Adopt-a-Street Community Litter Clean-Up
Improved Uses or Additions to Public Space Learn about pathways to implement temporary or permanent physical improvements, installations, or activations that support placemaking. Public Art Street Pole Banners Temporary Activation Program Public Space Enhancements Program
Commercial Use of Public Space Learn about commercial activities associated with an adjacent or mobile business. Outdoor Dining Outdoor Merchandise> Pushcarts A-Frame Signs Food Trucks
Meet with a Development Liaison The Development Liaison helps coordinate across departments, clarify requirements, and support projects facing prolonged timelines, conflicting standards, or unique property hardships — especially in flood-impacted areas.
Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov.
Schedule a Technical Review Committee Pre-Application Meeting Schedule your required pre-application meeting for Level II, Level III, Conditional Zoning and Major Subdivision reviews.
Check whether your address is within city limits Search to see if it is within the City of Asheville's permitting jurisdiction.
Eagle and Market Street Enhancements The Eagle and Market Street Enhancements project aims to improve public space use with a cohesive and inspired design for the historically Black business district known as The Block.
Actions and presentations at the October 13, Asheville City Council Meeting Posted on October 13, 2026October 13, 2026 by Kim Miller City Council considers agenda items including: the funding of new seasonal wreaths and business support for downtown, a public hearing on Costco, and the HOME - ARP program bringing additional affordable housing to Asheville at the October 13, 2026 session.
City Council Approves $265,000 in Downtown Municipal Service District Investments Posted on October 13, 2026 by Kim Miller An investment of Downtown Municipal Service District (MSD) sales tax revenue brings support to downtown businesses during upcoming construction projects and replaces aging seasonal decorations.
Actions and presentations at the September 22, Asheville City Council Meeting Posted on September 22, 2026 by Kim Miller City Council considers agenda items and marks 2 years of Helene related recovery during the September 22, 2026 session
