What we do

10/28/24: City of Asheville offices are open. Planning and Urban Design Department staff are prioritizing storm-related response needs.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CITY UPDATES

The City’s Development Services Department is prioritizing storm-related emergency permitting. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PERMITTING

CLICK HERE FOR HELPFUL BUSINESS OPENING INFORMATION

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.

 



Related Services

Related Projects

Coxe Ave

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 [...]

skyline of Asheville with words and logo 'Urban Forest Master Plan'

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 [...]

panoramic view of the block

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.

Planning and Urban Design News

public information session

City of Asheville announces public information sessions on proposed text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance

Members of the public are invited to learn about three proposed changes to Asheville’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) at a series of upcoming information sessions. (Registration information is available on the City’s UDO Text Change Engagement Hub.)  These proposed revisions to the UDO are focused on updates to 

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