What we do Last updated or reviewed on August 13, 2024 The Planning and Urban Design Department provides sound, professional land use planning, zoning, urban design and historic preservation and other 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 adopted plans. Learn more about department services, projects and initiatives by clicking any of the tabs at the top of this page. Scroll down for quick links to some of our more popular services. QUICK LINKS OPEN ONLINE FOR BUSINESS: 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: Zoning-related services such as zoning enforcement resources and zoning verification letters. To reach the Planner of the Day for your zoning-related questions, please call 828-259-5450 or email POD@ashevillenc.gov. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Planning & Urban Design is responsible for managing nine boards and commissions. The Boards and Commissions information can be found at the tab at the top of the page. Updated information regarding the operations of all boards and commissions can be found on the City Clerk’s page. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 and 161 S. Charlotte Street (Zoning and Site Plan Review) Mailing Address P. O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5830 Business HoursMonday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Department DirectorStephanie Dahl Additional 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 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. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Urban Forest Master Plan Project Overview The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design department is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan that will guide policies and recommendations for sustainable growth and preservation of Asheville’s urban canopy. The project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in late fall of 2025. For project updates, timeline and [...] Boosting the Block The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment. Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study The purpose of the Patton Avenue Corridor Study is to develop transportation, land use, and urban design recommendations for Patton Avenue from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to the easternmost terminus at Pack Square. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News City of Asheville launches Tree Inventory as part of Urban Forest Master Plan Posted on September 3, 2024September 5, 2024 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is embarking on a comprehensive tree inventory as part of its Urban Forest Master Plan to safeguard and enhance the urban forest. Over the next several weeks, arborists will conduct a thorough assessment of public trees located in the right-of-way, typically the area between the sidewalk and street. This public [...] City of Asheville announces new Hotel Overlay dashboard Posted on August 23, 2024 by Kim Miller NEW Hotel Overlay Dashboard allows community members to find and understand Hotel Overlay District information Long-standing climbing wall on Wall Street removed to make way for new beginning Posted on August 22, 2024August 22, 2024 by Meredith Friedheim If this wall could talk! After standing tall for more than 30 years, the climbing wall located on the plaza at 43 Wall Street is being removed to make space for a new chapter. Climbmax Climbing Gym moved into the city-owned space in 1993. The City was strategic in activating this location as part of a downtown [...] Explore 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 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.
Urban Forest Master Plan Project Overview The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design department is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan that will guide policies and recommendations for sustainable growth and preservation of Asheville’s urban canopy. The project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in late fall of 2025. For project updates, timeline and [...]
Boosting the Block The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment.
Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study The purpose of the Patton Avenue Corridor Study is to develop transportation, land use, and urban design recommendations for Patton Avenue from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to the easternmost terminus at Pack Square.
City of Asheville launches Tree Inventory as part of Urban Forest Master Plan Posted on September 3, 2024September 5, 2024 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is embarking on a comprehensive tree inventory as part of its Urban Forest Master Plan to safeguard and enhance the urban forest. Over the next several weeks, arborists will conduct a thorough assessment of public trees located in the right-of-way, typically the area between the sidewalk and street. This public [...]
City of Asheville announces new Hotel Overlay dashboard Posted on August 23, 2024 by Kim Miller NEW Hotel Overlay Dashboard allows community members to find and understand Hotel Overlay District information
Long-standing climbing wall on Wall Street removed to make way for new beginning Posted on August 22, 2024August 22, 2024 by Meredith Friedheim If this wall could talk! After standing tall for more than 30 years, the climbing wall located on the plaza at 43 Wall Street is being removed to make space for a new chapter. Climbmax Climbing Gym moved into the city-owned space in 1993. The City was strategic in activating this location as part of a downtown [...]
