Commercial Whether you are an Asheville small business owner starting a new restaurant or a contractor building an office building, your project will need to obtain a permit. The process for obtaining a permit depends on the scope of your project. City of Asheville staff can help you determine your project’s route through the development process. The City of Asheville categorizes commercial construction and multi-family housing within three levels: 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, the Technical Review Committee (TRC), and the Planning and Zoning Commission. 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. Click here for commercial permit applications and resources. Schedule an optional Early Assistance meeting or a mandatory TRC Pre-Application meeting with staff to review specific project requirements. Visit the Permit Application Center (PAC) at 161 S. Charlotte St. or contact DSD staff with additional questions. All projects that require plan review must comply with local zoning regulations. Work requiring a permit cannot begin until the permit holder or his agent posts the permit in a weatherproof, accessible and conspicuous location on the premises. Updated 11/2/2020 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 Commercial News Updated City of Asheville Noise Ordinance goes into effect September 15 Posted on September 9, 2021 by Polly McDaniel At their July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to update the City’s Noise Ordinance with an aim to identify and prioritize noise concerns and develop clear and enforceable thresholds for noise generation. As the newly revised ordinance will go into effect September 15, we wanted to let residents know where to find [...] Major disaster declaration granted for Western North Carolina counties damaged by Tropical Storm Fred, including Buncombe Posted on September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel From the Office of Governor Roy Cooper: The White House and FEMA have granted Governor Roy Cooper’s Aug. 27 request for a major disaster declaration for seven North Carolina counties that were hit hard by floods after Tropical Storm Fred. “This federal disaster declaration will help provide assistance for Western North Carolina communities to rebuild stronger and [...] Flood damages? Info on dedicated call center and local resources Posted on August 20, 2021 by Polly McDaniel As our local leaders are assessing the damage to Buncombe County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fred, Buncombe County Emergency Services is standing up a call center to connect residents to resources and information. To assist with disaster recovery, Buncombe County has activated a dedicated line for those impacted. An Emergency Services Call Center is [...] More Commercial 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.
Updated City of Asheville Noise Ordinance goes into effect September 15 Posted on September 9, 2021 by Polly McDaniel At their July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to update the City’s Noise Ordinance with an aim to identify and prioritize noise concerns and develop clear and enforceable thresholds for noise generation. As the newly revised ordinance will go into effect September 15, we wanted to let residents know where to find [...]
Major disaster declaration granted for Western North Carolina counties damaged by Tropical Storm Fred, including Buncombe Posted on September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel From the Office of Governor Roy Cooper: The White House and FEMA have granted Governor Roy Cooper’s Aug. 27 request for a major disaster declaration for seven North Carolina counties that were hit hard by floods after Tropical Storm Fred. “This federal disaster declaration will help provide assistance for Western North Carolina communities to rebuild stronger and [...]
Flood damages? Info on dedicated call center and local resources Posted on August 20, 2021 by Polly McDaniel As our local leaders are assessing the damage to Buncombe County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fred, Buncombe County Emergency Services is standing up a call center to connect residents to resources and information. To assist with disaster recovery, Buncombe County has activated a dedicated line for those impacted. An Emergency Services Call Center is [...]