Apply CLICK HERE FOR A CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: Asheville Development Services Department to continue business, but will close doors OPEN ONLINE FOR BUSINESS: Click here to access online services, including paying fees, submitting a digital permit application and scheduling an inspection. The City of Asheville’s Development Services Department (DSD) helps citizens and developers submit the necessary applications to receive permits for residential projects. 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 residential permits. Customers should submit all residential permit applications online through the Development Portal using the “Residential Site and Building permit” application. The online application provides instructions for submitting a complete application. 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: Build a New House Build an Addition to or Remodel a House Build a Detached Structure or Deck Repair or Install a New Home System Apply for a Homestay Permit Apply for a Home-Based Business Permit Before beginning an application, please check to confirm that your property is located in the City of Asheville’s permitting jurisdiction. <noscript><iframe style="border: 0.5px solid white;" title="simplicity" src="https://simplicity.ashevillenc.gov/mini_search?entities=address&hideNavbar=true" width="100%" height="40%"></noscript><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Build a New House Required Forms Residential Permit Application (online) Residential Permit Application and Checklist (paper) (Solicitud de Permiso Residencial en Espanol) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Sewer Service Application NC Lien Agent Designation Water Availability and Meter Application Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) Design Professional Acceptance Form Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness Applications Mulch Maintenance Responsibility Agreement Owner’s Affidavit Owner Exemption Affidavit Residential Plan Review Waiver Residential Driveway Modification Request Residential Floodplain Checklist Request to Cancel/Release Permit Site Sketch Plan Solar PV Submittal Requirements Guide New – Sustainable Residential Housing Fee Rebate Application (Solar PV, Energy Efficient) Stormwater Retention Device O&M Agreement and Exhibit Guidelines Permit Amendment/Project Close-Out Forms Permit Amendment Application Site Development Engineering (SDE) Permit Extension/Renewal Request Slope Stability Certification Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Temporary Utility Service Application Resources Glossary of Commonly Used Terms Guide to Residential Permits Guide to Single-Family Zoning Setbacks Guide to Trees in Steep Slope Areas Single-Family Residential Fee Schedule Supplement Build an Addition or Remodel a House Required Forms Residential Permit Application (online) Residential Permit Application and Checklist (paper) (Solicitud de Permiso Residencial en Espanol) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Sewer Service Application NC Lien Agent Designation Water Availability and Meter Application Supplemental Forms Design Professional Acceptance Form Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness Applications Mulch Maintenance Responsibility Agreement Owner’s Affidavit Owner Exemption Affidavit Request to Cancel/Release Permit Residential Driveway Modification Request Residential Floodplain Checklist Residential Plan Review Waiver Site Sketch Plan Solar PV Submittal Requirements Guide New – Sustainable Residential Housing Fee Rebate Application (Solar PV, Energy Efficient) Permit Amendment/Project Close-Out Forms Permit Amendment Application Site Development Engineering (SDE) Permit Extension/Renewal Request Slope Stability Certification Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Temporary Utility Service Application Resources Glossary of Commonly Used Terms Guide to Residential Permits Guide to Single-Family Zoning Setbacks Guide to Trees in Steep Slope Areas Single-Family Residential Fee Schedule Build a Detached Structure or Deck Required Forms Residential Permit Application (online) Residential Permit Application and Checklist (paper) (Solicitud de Permiso Residencial en Espanol) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Sewer Service Application NC Lien Agent Designation Water Availability and Meter Application Supplemental Forms Design Professional Acceptance Form Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness Applications Mulch Maintenance Responsibility Agreement Owner’s Affidavit Owner Exemption Affidavit Request to Cancel/Release Permit Residential Driveway Modification Request Residential Floodplain Checklist Site Sketch Plan Resources Guide to Building a Deck Guide to Residential Permits Guide to Single-Family Zoning Setbacks Guide to Trees in Steep Slope Areas Glossary of Commonly Used Terms Single-Family Residential Fee Schedule Supplement Repair or Install a New Home System Trade Permit Application through Citizen Access website (requires account login) Re-roof Permit Application through Citizen Access website (requires account login) Solar PV System Submittal Requirements Guide Apply for a Homestay Permit New Homestay Permit Application Existing Homestay Permit Renewal Application Apply for a Home-Based Business Permit Home Occupation Permit Application Updated 03/11/2020 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 Apply 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 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 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 — [...]