What we do Last updated or reviewed on January 18, 2023 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 P. O. 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. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Art in the Heart Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. Installations, artwork, and performances over the next 6 months will help spark important conversations on how to make this public space a place that resonates with Asheville’s diverse community and history. 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. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News The City announces February and March artist schedule for Art in the Heart Posted on January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 by Sam Parada The final line up of Art in the Heart artworks and experiences will be in Pack Square Plaza for February and early March 2023. To learn more about the artists and their projects, visit ashevillenc.gov/artintheheart. Members of the public from Buncombe County and beyond are invited to come to Pack Square Plaza, in [...] Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director accepts new position with Metro Nashville Government Posted on January 6, 2023January 6, 2023 by Christy Edwards Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director Todd Okolichany has accepted a position as Deputy Executive Director of the Planning Department in Metro Nashville, TN government and will leave the City of Asheville January 27, 2023. During his tenure with the City of Asheville, Todd was instrumental in managing several projects that will have long lasting impacts [...] City of Asheville and Buncombe County announce public engagement opportunities and events to inform the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project Posted on November 14, 2022November 15, 2022 by Sam Parada The public is invited to learn more about the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project and to provide input that helps create a shared vision for the future of the area. The public is invited to help shape the future of Western North Carolina’s most central civic space by attending one or more special engagement events for [...] 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 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.
Art in the Heart Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. Installations, artwork, and performances over the next 6 months will help spark important conversations on how to make this public space a place that resonates with Asheville’s diverse community and history.
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.
The City announces February and March artist schedule for Art in the Heart Posted on January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 by Sam Parada The final line up of Art in the Heart artworks and experiences will be in Pack Square Plaza for February and early March 2023. To learn more about the artists and their projects, visit ashevillenc.gov/artintheheart. Members of the public from Buncombe County and beyond are invited to come to Pack Square Plaza, in [...]
Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director accepts new position with Metro Nashville Government Posted on January 6, 2023January 6, 2023 by Christy Edwards Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director Todd Okolichany has accepted a position as Deputy Executive Director of the Planning Department in Metro Nashville, TN government and will leave the City of Asheville January 27, 2023. During his tenure with the City of Asheville, Todd was instrumental in managing several projects that will have long lasting impacts [...]
City of Asheville and Buncombe County announce public engagement opportunities and events to inform the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project Posted on November 14, 2022November 15, 2022 by Sam Parada The public is invited to learn more about the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project and to provide input that helps create a shared vision for the future of the area. The public is invited to help shape the future of Western North Carolina’s most central civic space by attending one or more special engagement events for [...]