Apply Click here for an update about DSD services Click here to access DSD services online The Development Services Department (DSD) accepts and processes commercial permit applications. As of March 17, 2020, the Permit Application Center (PAC) is closed to the public due to Coronavirus protocols. DSD staff continue to work during the regular business hours of Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (closed on public holidays) to answer customer questions, receive and review permit applications, and conduct inspections. Contact Permit Application Center staff at 828-259-5846 or pac@ashevillenc.gov with questions about commercial permits. Click here for additional contacts. At this time, customers should submit all commercial permit applications online through the Development Portal: Commercial Trade permit (login required) Commercial Repair/Replace permit (login required) Commercial Site Development permit Commercial Building permit Sign permit: Face Change and Temporary Banner (login required) All other Commercial project permits 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. Permit applications and application packages should be complete before submitting to DSD. Incompleteness will add time to the review and approval process. A complete list of application forms and resources are listed below by project type. Submit completed forms and applications in .PDF format online through the Development Portal. 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 and 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 Note: For additions over 500 square feet 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 Affordable Housing Fee Rebate program (multi-family homes are eligible): Affordable Housing Fee Rebate Instructions and Verification form Affordable Housing Expedited Plan Review process Alternative Compliance Landscape Request Application Owner’s Affidavit 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 Design Professional Acceptance Form Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide 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 Owner’s Affidavit 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 Design Professional Acceptance Form 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 Design Professional Acceptance 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 permit for a minor residential installation is called a stand alone trade permit. 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 expands flexibility for business use of sidewalks in addition to private lots Posted on June 5, 2020July 8, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is committed to advancing ways of using space to support economic recovery and community needs while prioritizing public health and safety, and recognizes the importance of being flexible and nimble as needs and priorities evolve. In response to stakeholder input and public health guidance, the City is launching new initiatives to [...] City of Asheville resumes parking meter fees and enforcement Posted on May 29, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Asheville will resume collecting regular parking fees for on-street, metered parking. Enforcement of fee payment will also resume. Garage parking in City and County garages will remain free until further notice. City monthly parking permit fees will also continue to be suspended until further notice. Buncombe county monthly parking [...] 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 ( 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 expands flexibility for business use of sidewalks in addition to private lots Posted on June 5, 2020July 8, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is committed to advancing ways of using space to support economic recovery and community needs while prioritizing public health and safety, and recognizes the importance of being flexible and nimble as needs and priorities evolve. In response to stakeholder input and public health guidance, the City is launching new initiatives to [...]
City of Asheville resumes parking meter fees and enforcement Posted on May 29, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Asheville will resume collecting regular parking fees for on-street, metered parking. Enforcement of fee payment will also resume. Garage parking in City and County garages will remain free until further notice. City monthly parking permit fees will also continue to be suspended until further notice. Buncombe county monthly parking [...]
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 (