Event Planning

Last updated or reviewed on March 26, 2026

Planning an outdoor event on private property in Asheville begins here. This page explains when permitting may be required, which activities on private property trigger review, what you should prepare before applying, and what early planning issues to consider before moving into the permit process.

Do I Need a Permit?

A permit may be required when your event involves more than 49 people in a manner inconsistent with the site’s normal property use. A review may also be triggered if your event includes temporary structures, tents, generators, mobile vending units, fireworks, pyrotechnics, or open-flame activities. Temporary use permits are only available for nonresidentially zoned properties and are limited to 180 days per calendar year.

How to Get Started

Start by reviewing your proposed attendance, site conditions, temporary infrastructure, and planned activities to determine whether temporary use permitting and related reviews are likely to apply. Applications are submitted electronically, and you should be prepared to provide the appropriate form or forms along with the required attachments for review.

Planning Ahead

Applications must be submitted no later than 21 days before the event, but you should plan well in advance of that deadline. Time is often needed to prepare a site plan, gather ownership or permission documents, identify contractors and vendors, complete emergency planning, and determine whether additional approvals for fire, electrical, sound, transportation, food, or alcohol will be required.

What to Prepare

Before applying, be ready to submit a site plan showing the proposed temporary uses, proof of property ownership or lease, or a letter of permission from the owner, and a list of contractors involved in the event, including electrical, tent or inflatable rental, construction, and all scheduled food or beverage vendors. Every event must also include an Emergency Action Plan.

Temporary Structures and Event Layout

Your event layout matters. Review may include the composition and placement of tents, canopies, shelters, platforms, stages, scaffolding, light towers, inflatables, and their relationship to mobile vending units and surrounding site conditions. These elements affect both permitting and the event’s safe operation on the site.

Site Planning

A site plan is a core planning document and must be included with a Temporary Use Application. It should show temporary site additions in relation to the property’s existing infrastructure and identify key safety features such as fire lanes, hydrants, fire department connections, driveway access, and building exits, along with temporary additions such as fencing, barricades, tents, stages, inflatables, portable restrooms, generators, light towers, open flame activity, fire performance areas, and mobile vending units.

Emergency and Medical Planning

Every event must include an Emergency Action Plan. This plan identifies potential emergency conditions at the event site and defines procedures for notification, warning, evacuation, and coordination with municipal, county, and state officials in the event of an emergency. The Asheville Fire Department has final authority over medical and fire emergency support requirements based on review of your Emergency Action Plan.

Sound, Transportation, and Community Impacts

You should also consider whether your event may affect amplified sound, parking, traffic, safe arrival and departure, ADA access, or nearby neighbors and businesses. If your site does not have sufficient onsite parking, you must complete the City’s Transportation Planning Form. You may also be asked to develop mitigation measures, conduct outreach, or work with affected groups when your event may create negative impacts on the surrounding area.

Fire, Electrical, and Other Special Conditions

Some event features require extra planning because they trigger separate review or permitting requirements. These can include temporary electrical work, generators, portable grills, open-flame food preparation, candlelit displays, vigils, propane heaters, fire performances, demonstrations, fireworks, and pyrotechnics. Identify these features early rather than treating them as last-minute additions.

Property Eligibility

Temporary use permits are only available for non-residentially zoned properties. Confirm early that the proposed site is eligible and suitable for the type of activity you are planning, especially where temporary infrastructure, food service, crowd assembly, emergency access, or sound impacts are involved.

Related Forms and Resources

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