What we do CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Asheville Development Services Department (DSD) to continue business, but will close doors DSD inspections will continue; contractors asked to provide clean, safe work zones OPEN ONLINE FOR BUSINESS: Click here to access online services, including paying fees, submitting a digital permit application, scheduling an inspection, and reporting a food truck While the office is closed, DSD staff continue to work and can be reached by phone and email: DSD Main Line: 828-259-5846 PAC@ashevillenc.gov Planner of the Day: 828-259-5450 POD@ashevillenc.gov Building Code Hotline: 828-259-5967 buildingsafety@ashevillenc.gov Stormwater and Grading Hotline: 828-259-5670 stormwater@ashevillenc.gov This is an evolving situation. The City of Asheville’s partners in Buncombe County are a great resource for the latest information on our community’s COVID-19 response. To receive emergency texts directly from Buncombe County for breaking health and safety news text BCALERT on your smartphone to 888-777. Sign up for AVL Alerts online for information from the City of Asheville. The Development Services Department (DSD) promotes safety, livability and positive economic growth to build a better and safer Asheville. DSD processes permits, performs inspections, maintains records and helps customers navigate the development process. Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Click here to access the Current Development Map. ConnectDevelopment Services Department161 S. Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.DirectorBen Woody, AICPPhone828-259-5846 Related Services Learn about large-scale development Keep up to date on current projects and applications. Register a commercial development neighborhood meeting notice Register a notice for a commercial development neighborhood meeting. Schedule a mandatory Technical Review Committee pre-application meeting Schedule your required pre-application meeting for Level II, Level III, Conditional Zoning and Major Subdivision reviews. Schedule an optional early assistance meeting Receive expert technical advice from staff during the preliminary phase of a project, for prospective business owners, developers, and designers Apply for a commercial site development permit Submit development plans for Level I, Level II, Level III, Major Subdivision, Conditional Zoning, or Conditional Use projects. Apply for a homestay permit Apply for a new homestay permit or apply to renew your existing permit. Build an addition or remodel a house Forms and guides to remodel or build an addition to a residential property Apply for a trade permit Apply for residential and commercial electrical, gas piping, plumbing, mechanical, re-roof, or multi-trade permits. Build a detached structure or deck Guide and forms to build a deck, shed, solar array, retaining wall, swimming pool, or other accessory structure on a residential property Build a new house, duplex, townhome or modular home Links to all of the forms you may need to build a new house 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. More Related Services Development Services News City of Asheville issues protocols for inspections during State of Emergency Posted on March 30, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is modifying its operations until further notice to protect residents and City staff while minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The Development Services Department (DSD) requests that contractors maintain a clean and safe environment for City staff so we may continue to provide inspection services. Please follow CDC guidelines ( City of Asheville eases restrictions on food trucks and temporary signage Posted on March 26, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is taking steps to increase access to safe dining options during the course of this COVID-19 public health emergency. To do so, on March 24, Mayor Esther Manheimer amended the City’s State of Emergency declaration to exempt food trucks and restaurants from certain portions of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. These [...] 2020 City of Asheville initiatives: What to look for in the new year Posted on December 31, 2019January 8, 2020 by Polly McDaniel With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at 10 Asheville City government initiatives as we ring in not only a new year, but a new decade in 2020. Civic Center gets Harrah’s Cherokee name The year 2020 will start with excitement for the newly named Harrah’s Cherokee Center — [...] More Development Services News
Register a commercial development neighborhood meeting notice Register a notice for a commercial development neighborhood meeting.
Schedule a mandatory Technical Review Committee pre-application meeting Schedule your required pre-application meeting for Level II, Level III, Conditional Zoning and Major Subdivision reviews.
Schedule an optional early assistance meeting Receive expert technical advice from staff during the preliminary phase of a project, for prospective business owners, developers, and designers
Apply for a commercial site development permit Submit development plans for Level I, Level II, Level III, Major Subdivision, Conditional Zoning, or Conditional Use projects.
Build an addition or remodel a house Forms and guides to remodel or build an addition to a residential property
Apply for a trade permit Apply for residential and commercial electrical, gas piping, plumbing, mechanical, re-roof, or multi-trade permits.
Build a detached structure or deck Guide and forms to build a deck, shed, solar array, retaining wall, swimming pool, or other accessory structure on a residential property
Build a new house, duplex, townhome or modular home Links to all of the forms you may need to build a new house
Check whether your address is within city limits Search to see if it is within the City of Asheville's permitting jurisdiction.
City of Asheville issues protocols for inspections during State of Emergency Posted on March 30, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is modifying its operations until further notice to protect residents and City staff while minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The Development Services Department (DSD) requests that contractors maintain a clean and safe environment for City staff so we may continue to provide inspection services. Please follow CDC guidelines (
City of Asheville eases restrictions on food trucks and temporary signage Posted on March 26, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is taking steps to increase access to safe dining options during the course of this COVID-19 public health emergency. To do so, on March 24, Mayor Esther Manheimer amended the City’s State of Emergency declaration to exempt food trucks and restaurants from certain portions of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. These [...]
2020 City of Asheville initiatives: What to look for in the new year Posted on December 31, 2019January 8, 2020 by Polly McDaniel With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at 10 Asheville City government initiatives as we ring in not only a new year, but a new decade in 2020. Civic Center gets Harrah’s Cherokee name The year 2020 will start with excitement for the newly named Harrah’s Cherokee Center — [...]