What we do Last updated or reviewed on May 5, 2025 Planning and Urban Design Department staff are prioritizing storm-related recovery needs. Visit https://www.ashevillerecovers.org for the latest updates 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 Coxe Avenue Streetscape Project Overview The goal of this project is to transform Coxe Avenue to improve the safety and overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the street. The design will include improvements to sidewalks, stormwater and water infrastructure, lighting and streetscape elements and a reconfiguration of parts of the street. For project updates, timeline, and background [...] 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. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News City Council votes to accept board of directors for Asheville Downtown Improvement District at April 8 meeting Posted on April 8, 2025 by Jessica Hughes Asheville City Council votes to accept the Board of Directors slate proposed by the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 8. The board will steer services and operations of ADID, the contracted operator of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The board appointments follow the guidelines outlined [...] Information on newly adopted UDO text amendments Posted on April 7, 2025April 8, 2025 by Kim Miller Learn more about recently approved UDO amendments that seek to encourage the development of more housing, with a particular emphasis on affordable housing initiatives, and to reduce barriers that are particularly challenging for smaller businesses The Public is invited to view Coxe Avenue Streetscape design at Open House on March 24 Posted on March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville invites the public to an Open House to view the design for the Coxe Avenue Streetscape Project on Monday, March 24, 2025, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bear’s Smokehouse Barbeque. This project aims to make improvements to Coxe Avenue that will enhance safety and the overall experience for users including pedestrians, [...] 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.
Coxe Avenue Streetscape Project Overview The goal of this project is to transform Coxe Avenue to improve the safety and overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the street. The design will include improvements to sidewalks, stormwater and water infrastructure, lighting and streetscape elements and a reconfiguration of parts of the street. For project updates, timeline, and background [...]
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.
City Council votes to accept board of directors for Asheville Downtown Improvement District at April 8 meeting Posted on April 8, 2025 by Jessica Hughes Asheville City Council votes to accept the Board of Directors slate proposed by the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 8. The board will steer services and operations of ADID, the contracted operator of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The board appointments follow the guidelines outlined [...]
Information on newly adopted UDO text amendments Posted on April 7, 2025April 8, 2025 by Kim Miller Learn more about recently approved UDO amendments that seek to encourage the development of more housing, with a particular emphasis on affordable housing initiatives, and to reduce barriers that are particularly challenging for smaller businesses
The Public is invited to view Coxe Avenue Streetscape design at Open House on March 24 Posted on March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville invites the public to an Open House to view the design for the Coxe Avenue Streetscape Project on Monday, March 24, 2025, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bear’s Smokehouse Barbeque. This project aims to make improvements to Coxe Avenue that will enhance safety and the overall experience for users including pedestrians, [...]
