What we do Last updated or reviewed on June 2, 2022 The Planning and Urban Design Department provides sound, professional land use planning, zoning, urban design and historic preservation services to achieve livable and sustainable neighborhoods for everyone. The department is committed to collaborating with our community on its vision for equitable growth and development consistent with Asheville’s comprehensive plan. OPEN ONLINE FOR BUSINESS: Click here to access online development-related services, including paying fees, submitting a digital permit application, scheduling an inspection, and reporting a food truck. See other Related Services below for additional development services available to you. ZONING SERVICES: Click here for zoning-related services, such as zoning enforcement resources and zoning verification letters. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Planning & Urban Design is responsible for several boards and commissions. Click here or the boards and commissions tab at the top of the page for more information. Updated information regarding the operations of all boards and commissions can be found here. OTHER SERVICES: Check up on other department projects and initiatives by clicking any of the tabs of your interest at the top of this page. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5830 Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Director Todd Okolichany, AICP, LEED AP NDAdditional LinksStaff Directory Related Services Learn about large-scale development Keep up to date on current projects and applications. Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov. 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. Apply for a homestay permit Apply for a new homestay permit or apply to renew your existing permit. 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. Find location and zoning information Find the zoning information for your project. More Related Services Related Projects Open Space Zoning Updates A task force has been created to review the city’s open space zoning regulations and to consider amendments to update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). These regulations relate to the open spaces that are required primarily for new development projects, not to be confused with larger public open spaces of city parks and greenways. Walton Street Pool Historic Designation In 2018, the City of Asheville began researching and documenting historic resources specifically related to African American heritage in Asheville. During the first phase of architectural survey, it was determined that the Walton Street Pool is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The City has received an application from the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County to designate the pool as a Local Historic Landmark, which is currently under review by the Historic Resources Commission. Merrimon Avenue Considerations Changes under consideration are proposed for the part of Merrimon Avenue between W.T. Weaver Boulevard and Midland Road (at Beaver Lake). More Related Projects Planning and Urban Design News “Art in the Heart” Temporary Public Art Program Launches in Coordination with Pack Square Plaza Visioning: Call for Artists Posted on May 26, 2022May 26, 2022 by Ricardo Tapia-Basurto Call for applications In partnership with the Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections and Asheville’s Public Art and Cultural Commission, the City is kicking off a new temporary public art program to activate Pack Square Plaza and engage with the community in a new way. Art in the Heart will support the production/installation of up to [...] Update on the City of Asheville’s recommendation for the NCDOT’s planned Merrimon Avenue resurfacing project. Posted on May 6, 2022May 23, 2022 by Kim Miller The Asheville City Council will consider entering into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) that supports the Department’s vision for the future of sections of Merrimon Avenue. The multi-modal alternative was developed through a collaborative partnership between the City of Asheville and NCDOT, and began with a request from the City to study [...] City of Asheville to extend opportunity to provide public input on the South Slope Vision Plan to April 8 Posted on March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design Department has decided to extend to April 8th the period to participate in the South Slope Visioning Plan. Staff want to hear from the community if there’s something missing from the plan, so the draft is available for the public to review and provide comments. [...] More Planning and Urban Design News
Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov.
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.
Check whether your address is within city limits Search to see if it is within the City of Asheville's permitting jurisdiction.
Open Space Zoning Updates A task force has been created to review the city’s open space zoning regulations and to consider amendments to update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). These regulations relate to the open spaces that are required primarily for new development projects, not to be confused with larger public open spaces of city parks and greenways.
Walton Street Pool Historic Designation In 2018, the City of Asheville began researching and documenting historic resources specifically related to African American heritage in Asheville. During the first phase of architectural survey, it was determined that the Walton Street Pool is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The City has received an application from the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County to designate the pool as a Local Historic Landmark, which is currently under review by the Historic Resources Commission.
Merrimon Avenue Considerations Changes under consideration are proposed for the part of Merrimon Avenue between W.T. Weaver Boulevard and Midland Road (at Beaver Lake).
“Art in the Heart” Temporary Public Art Program Launches in Coordination with Pack Square Plaza Visioning: Call for Artists Posted on May 26, 2022May 26, 2022 by Ricardo Tapia-Basurto Call for applications In partnership with the Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections and Asheville’s Public Art and Cultural Commission, the City is kicking off a new temporary public art program to activate Pack Square Plaza and engage with the community in a new way. Art in the Heart will support the production/installation of up to [...]
Update on the City of Asheville’s recommendation for the NCDOT’s planned Merrimon Avenue resurfacing project. Posted on May 6, 2022May 23, 2022 by Kim Miller The Asheville City Council will consider entering into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) that supports the Department’s vision for the future of sections of Merrimon Avenue. The multi-modal alternative was developed through a collaborative partnership between the City of Asheville and NCDOT, and began with a request from the City to study [...]
City of Asheville to extend opportunity to provide public input on the South Slope Vision Plan to April 8 Posted on March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design Department has decided to extend to April 8th the period to participate in the South Slope Visioning Plan. Staff want to hear from the community if there’s something missing from the plan, so the draft is available for the public to review and provide comments. [...]