What we do Last updated or reviewed on October 31, 2023 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. NEWS! The City Moves to Better Align the Delivery of Planning Services Effective July 1, 2023, twelve staff members from the City’s Development Services Department have officially found a new home in the Planning & Urban Design Department. “This change was considered carefully over the course of almost a year, and included many discussions with staff in both impacted departments” said Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager, who has spent time as the City’s Director of Development Services and also serves as the Interim Planning and Urban Design Director. The goals of the reorganization include enhancing customer service, improving employee retention and attraction, and creating more efficiencies with internal processes. 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 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 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. Missing Middle Housing Study The purpose of the study is to identify regulatory or policy barriers that negatively impact the production of housing supply and to develop recommendations to help Asheville prioritize next steps to better align regulations with city goals. 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. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News Downtown Safety and Cleanliness News: Helping the community’s most vulnerable this winter with additional resources Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller As cold weather continues in our region, many community members ask what can be done to help the most vulnerable among us? The City of Asheville believes addressing homelessness is a community effort, but knowing the available resources is a great place to start. The City’s Homeless Strategy Division, which falls under the Community and [...] City of Asheville to Host Open House this week to Create Long-Term Vision for Downtown Patton Avenue Posted on November 27, 2023November 29, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville will host an open house to introduce a new planning project for the downtown Patton Avenue Corridor. This study will create a long-term vision for the area of Patton Avenue that runs from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to its endpoint at Pack Square Plaza. City of Asheville seeks facilitator to “Boost the Block” – submit your RFP Posted on November 22, 2023 by Kim Miller Get involved in boosting The Block. Submit your proposal for Community Facilitator by December 11, 2023 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.
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.
Missing Middle Housing Study The purpose of the study is to identify regulatory or policy barriers that negatively impact the production of housing supply and to develop recommendations to help Asheville prioritize next steps to better align regulations with city goals.
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.
Downtown Safety and Cleanliness News: Helping the community’s most vulnerable this winter with additional resources Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller As cold weather continues in our region, many community members ask what can be done to help the most vulnerable among us? The City of Asheville believes addressing homelessness is a community effort, but knowing the available resources is a great place to start. The City’s Homeless Strategy Division, which falls under the Community and [...]
City of Asheville to Host Open House this week to Create Long-Term Vision for Downtown Patton Avenue Posted on November 27, 2023November 29, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville will host an open house to introduce a new planning project for the downtown Patton Avenue Corridor. This study will create a long-term vision for the area of Patton Avenue that runs from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to its endpoint at Pack Square Plaza.
City of Asheville seeks facilitator to “Boost the Block” – submit your RFP Posted on November 22, 2023 by Kim Miller Get involved in boosting The Block. Submit your proposal for Community Facilitator by December 11, 2023