Apply The Development Services Department (DSD) accepts and processes commercial permit applications. DSD’s Permit Application Center (PAC) is located at 161 South Charlotte Street and open to the public on Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed on public holidays). Customers can also contact PAC@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5846 with questions about commercial permits. Click here for residential permit applications. Customers may apply for the following commercial permits online: Commercial Trade permit (login required) Commercial Repair/Replace permit (login required) Commercial Site Development permit Sign permit: Face Change and Temporary Banner (login required) Click here for applications and information for large commercial Level II, Major Subdivision and Conditional Zoning projects that will require Technical Review Committee (TRC) review. Customers should apply in-person for all other commercial permit types at 161 S. Charlotte St. using the forms below. Contact DSD with additional questions. Zoning requirements can impact commercial development. Prior to preparing plans, customers should obtain information specific to their site or schedule an Early Assistance meeting. Before beginning an application, please check to confirm that your property is located in the City of Asheville’s permitting jurisdiction. Stand Alone Trade Permit Stand Alone & Multi-Trade Application (apply online; login required) Lien Agent Designation (required if cost of work over $30,000) Minor Subdivision/Recombination Minor Subdivision Application Minor Subdivision/Recombination Revisions Submittal Package Commercial Signs/Merchandise/Outdoor Dining A-Frame Sign Application Permanent and Temporary Sign Application Sign Face Change and Temporary Banner Application (online; login required) Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Application Outdoor Dining and Merchandise Application Pushcart Application and Pushcart Location Map Encroachment Application Temporary Use/Events/Mobile Food Vending Temporary Use Application Eventos y Uso Temporal en Espanol Other Temporary Uses- Construction Staging/Construction Trailer Application Emergency Action Plan (EAP) template Operational Fire Application New Construction/Additions* * For additions over 500 sqft Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application Commercial Building Plans Checklist Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application Required Site Development Forms Commercial Site Development Application (apply online) Commercial Application (paper) Commercial Site Plans Checklist (10,000 sq ft or more) Commercial Site Plans Checklist (Under 10,000 sq ft) Grading, Erosion Control and Flood Sketch Checklist (Under 10,000 sq ft) Grading, Erosion Control and Flood Final Plan Requirement Checklist Fire Department Water Supply Analysis Request Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Operational Fire Application Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Board of Adjustment Zoning Variance Application Board of Adjustment Interpretation/Appeal Board of Adjustment Reasonable Accommodation Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Encroachment Application Standard Specifications and Details Modification (SSDM) Request Project Close-out Forms Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Site Development Engineering (SDE) Permit Extension/Renewal Request Slope Stability Certification Mulch Maintenance Responsibility Agreement Stormwater Retention Device O&M Agreement and Exhibit Guidelines Resources Open For Business permit scoping tool Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Fire Hydrant Meter Application Fire Department Water Supply Analysis Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Alterations/Renovations Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Operational Fire Application Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Project Close-out Forms Slope Stability Certification Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Resources Open For Business permit scoping tool Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Tenant Upfit- First Occupancy Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Operational Fire Application Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Project Close-out Forms Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Resources Open For Business permit scoping tool Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Commercial Repair/Replace Apply online (login required) Tenant Occupancy- Existing Building Tenant Occupancy Application Commercial Reroof Commercial Application Lien Agent Designation Commercial Demolition Commercial Application Lien Agent Designation Western North Carolina Air Quality Approval Application Commercial Solar PV Commercial Application Solar PV System Submittal Requirements Guide and Application Short-term Vacation Rentals (STVR) Annual Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Application Commercial Development Fees Development Services Fee Schedule Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Fees Water Resources Fees Lien Agent Designation Effective for construction projects beginning on or after April 1, 2013, North Carolina law requires appointment of a lien agent. Contractors and subcontractors can then give notice they are working on the project. Appointments are not required for (1) improvements under $30,000 or (2) to the owner’s existing residence or (3) for public building projects. Our office will require the lien agent designation before a permit will be released for commencement of construction, including stand alone permits. You may visit the website LiensNC.com for additional information and a step-by-step guide to completing the designation process online. Stand Alone and Multi-Trade Permits A permits for a minor residential installation is called a stand alone trade permits. If an installation requires more than one type of installation, it is referred to as a multi-trade permit. Plumbing, electrical or mechanical (HVAC) projects that do not require plans, but require a permit, can often be issued the same day they are requested. Projects in this category include: installing a new electrical circuit placing a heating system adding or replacing a water heater Licensed contractors are encouraged to use the Citizen Access website to apply online for these permits. Permits are issued at application when using this website. Applications may also be emailed to pacstandalones@ashevillenc.gov or faxed to (828) 259-5676. Small Project Permits Seemingly uncomplicated projects may require plan submittal and review from multiple disciplines. Small project permits can often be issued more quickly than other permits; estimate around 10 working days. Examples of small projects include signs, temporary use permits, or tenant up-fits of existing units. Standard and Large Project Permits Within “standard” and “large” commercial projects the scale and complexity can vary greatly but they always require technical review by multiple disciplines. The “standard” category covers most low to mid-rise construction. The “large” commercial project category will generally take longer to review due to special detailed requirements based on use and occupancy. High rise construction, covered malls, multi-family buildings over four stories or over 100 units, assemblies of greater than 1,000 occupants, education buildings, institutional buildings, and hazardous uses are considered large commercial projects. The anticipated review times reflect project complexity. Consult the review times matrix to understand how long it will take staff to review your project. Occupancy or Tenant Change With No Construction Work Performed If you are moving into a vacant tenant space with a new business similar to previous tenant and will not be performing any construction work, you need to secure Tenant Occupancy. The life-safety criteria and permit process is defined in the Tenant Change Out Bulletin (found above). Please complete the Tenant Occupancy Application (found above) and bring it to the Permit Application Center. In most cases, the permit can issued at the time of application, and inspections can be performed the next day. If the use you are proposing is classified differently from the previous use, you will be asked to submit plans for review. Business Licenses The City of Asheville no longer has the authority to collect a privilege license tax (i.e. business license), with the exception of beer and wine taxes. This is in accordance with North Carolina S.L. 2014-3 Section 12, effective July 1, 2015. It should be noted that while the Local Privilege License Tax is no longer being collected, the State Privilege License authority is still in place. 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 Apply News City of Asheville staff invite community to Noise Ordinance revisions update Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 by Polly McDaniel Learn about data collected through extensive public process and next steps As Asheville continues to develop and grow, the City has recognized the need to revisit and update the current municipal Noise Ordinance. Led by the Development Services Department, City staff have conducted extensive public engagement efforts this year. The public process included outreach to neighborhood groups, the [...] Development Services Permit Application Center recently remodeled Posted on August 26, 2019August 26, 2019 by Polly McDaniel If you have been to the Public Works building recently you likely noticed some changes. The Development Services Permit Application Center (PAC) lobby has gone through a complete remodel to better serve customers and improve efficiency in this work space. Improvements for customers and staff include: Creation of two self-serve kiosks where customers can access DSD’s online services [...] Asheville residents can find information about upcoming development with new online notification tool Posted on August 7, 2019 by Polly McDaniel In a time of development and growth, Asheville residents have asked how they can stay better informed about upcoming projects. We heard you and are pleased to roll out a new online tool residents can use to stay informed about upcoming development such as major subdivisions, apartment complexes, retail establishments and hotels. The site contains specific [...] More Apply 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 staff invite community to Noise Ordinance revisions update Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 by Polly McDaniel Learn about data collected through extensive public process and next steps As Asheville continues to develop and grow, the City has recognized the need to revisit and update the current municipal Noise Ordinance. Led by the Development Services Department, City staff have conducted extensive public engagement efforts this year. The public process included outreach to neighborhood groups, the [...]
Development Services Permit Application Center recently remodeled Posted on August 26, 2019August 26, 2019 by Polly McDaniel If you have been to the Public Works building recently you likely noticed some changes. The Development Services Permit Application Center (PAC) lobby has gone through a complete remodel to better serve customers and improve efficiency in this work space. Improvements for customers and staff include: Creation of two self-serve kiosks where customers can access DSD’s online services [...]
Asheville residents can find information about upcoming development with new online notification tool Posted on August 7, 2019 by Polly McDaniel In a time of development and growth, Asheville residents have asked how they can stay better informed about upcoming projects. We heard you and are pleased to roll out a new online tool residents can use to stay informed about upcoming development such as major subdivisions, apartment complexes, retail establishments and hotels. The site contains specific [...]