Design Review The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) reviews projects within local historic districts and local landmarks to ensure that the proposed work is consistent with the applicable design review guidelines. Once a project has been approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) is issued to the property owner or applicant, which should be posted on site with any other required permits. Please note that a CA is for design review approval only, and does not include approval for building, zoning or other permit types that may be required. If you are considering a project and are unsure of what permit types you will need to obtain, you should contact the Development Services Department: 828-259-5846. Design Review Applications Minor Work Minor Work applications are reviewed by Planning/Historic Resources staff. Staff will refer Minor Work applications to the HRC if, in staff’s opinion, the project involves changes that are substantial, do not meet the design guidelines, or are of precedent-setting nature. Minor Work applications typically include projects in which the visual character of the structure and/or site is not substantially altered, such as but not limited to signage, fences in rear yards, tree removal, mechanical equipment, roof replacement and minor building repairs. Typically, a CA for Minor Work can be issued within 10 business days, depending on the project type and completeness of the application. Major Work Major Work applications are reviewed by the HRC at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. In general, Major Work applications typically include projects that involve a change in the appearance of a structure and/or site that is more substantial than routine maintenance or Minor Work projects, such as but not limited to new construction, expansion of a building footprint, or significant changes to a landscape feature. Applicants for Major Work construction projects are strongly encouraged to consult with Planning/Historic Resources staff at the earliest possible stage of the design process. A pre-application meeting with staff is required prior to submittal of a Major Work application. Submittal of a Major Work application without the required pre-application meeting could result in a delay of review by the HRC. Contact Planning/Historic Resources staff to schedule a pre-application meeting: 828-259-5638 NEW: Submit your Minor or Major Work Application online via the Development Portal! Digital Submittal Instructions & Requirements Major & Minor Work Application Form (download to fill out digitally) Applications may also be submitted in person or by mail to the permit center at the Development Services Department located at 161 South Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Additional Forms & Documents: New Construction Worksheet (Required for Major Work New Construction projects ONLY) 2021 HRC Meeting Schedule & Application Deadlines 2022 HRC Meeting Schedule & Application Deadlines Notice: The next Historic Resources Commission meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2021. ***This meeting will be held virtually due to COVID-19. Please use the following instructions for participation: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) this will be a remote meeting which the public can access by any of the following means: Participate by phone: 855-925-2801 meeting Code 9384 (press *3 to enter the queue for public comment) Watch online https://www.publicinput.com/L602 or www.YouTube.com/CityofAsheville Pursuant to SL 2020-3, the quasi-judicial hearings set to be heard at this virtual meeting may only proceed if all parties with standing in each matter consent to the virtual meeting format. Property owners receiving this notice will be deemed to have consented to the virtual format unless they specifically notify City staff to the contrary, or appear at the hearing and formally object. To learn more regarding this process or for additional information please contact our office at 828-259-5638 Agendas and Documents Agenda Documents September 8, 2021 Agenda September 8, 2021 Documents August 11, 2021 Agenda August 11, 2021 Documents July 14, 2021 Agenda July 14, 2021 Documents June 9, 2021 Agenda June 9, 2021 Documents May 12, 2021 Agenda May 12, 2021 Documents April 14, 2021 Agenda April 14, 2021 Documents March 10, 2021 Agenda March 10, 2021 Documents February 10, 2021 Agenda February 10, 2021 Documents January 13, 2021 Agenda January 13, 2021 Documents December 9 2020 Agenda December 9, 2020 Documents November 11, 2020 Agenda November 11, 2020 Documents October 14, 2020 Agenda October 14, 2020 Documents September 9, 2020 Agenda September 9, 2020 Documents August 12, 2020 Agenda August 12, 2020 Documents July 8, 2020 Agenda July 8, 2020 Documents March 11, 2020 Agenda March 11, 2020 Documents February 12, 2020 Agenda February 12, 2020 Documents January 8, 2020 Documents January 8, 2020 Documents December 11, 2019 Agenda December 11, 2019 Documents November 13, 2019 Agenda November 13 , 2019 Documents October 9, 2019 Agenda October 9, 2019 Documents September 11, 2019 Agenda September 11, 2019 Documents August 14, 2019 Agenda August 14, 2019 Documents July 10, 2019 Agenda July 10, 2019 Documents Contact Information Alex Cole – 828-259-5638 Updated 8/24/21 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 what permits and licenses you need for your business Use Asheville's Open for Business wizard to find out what permits and licenses you will need and an estimate of permit fees. Find location and zoning information Find the zoning information for your project. More Related Services Design Review News Asheville’s Urban Center zoning initiative moves forward to Planning & Zoning Commission Posted on July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The Urban Place Form Code District heads to the Planning & Zoning Commission on July 7 as part of the Urban Centers rezoning proposal, initiated by the Asheville Department of Planning & Urban Design. Urban Centers are a component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Living Asheville. They are intended to foster [...] City of Asheville releases StoryMap about City-owned property and Urban Renewal Posted on June 4, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville has released a new StoryMap explaining which City-owned properties came from Urban Renewal. With assistance from UNC Asheville faculty, City staff researched, identified, and mapped existing City-owned properties acquired through three Urban Renewal projects in Asheville. The Urban Renewal and City-owned Property StoryMap shows which City-owned properties came from [...] Historic Resources Commission honors two volunteers for restoring and caring for the South Asheville Cemetery Posted on May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Each year, the Historic Resources Commission awards an individual or individuals in the community who by word or deed has kindled among the citizenry of Asheville and Buncombe County an appreciation for the history or historic resources of the area. The Historic Resources Commission is pleased to honor this year’s recipients, George Taylor and George [...] More Design Review 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.
Find what permits and licenses you need for your business Use Asheville's Open for Business wizard to find out what permits and licenses you will need and an estimate of permit fees.
Asheville’s Urban Center zoning initiative moves forward to Planning & Zoning Commission Posted on July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The Urban Place Form Code District heads to the Planning & Zoning Commission on July 7 as part of the Urban Centers rezoning proposal, initiated by the Asheville Department of Planning & Urban Design. Urban Centers are a component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Living Asheville. They are intended to foster [...]
City of Asheville releases StoryMap about City-owned property and Urban Renewal Posted on June 4, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville has released a new StoryMap explaining which City-owned properties came from Urban Renewal. With assistance from UNC Asheville faculty, City staff researched, identified, and mapped existing City-owned properties acquired through three Urban Renewal projects in Asheville. The Urban Renewal and City-owned Property StoryMap shows which City-owned properties came from [...]
Historic Resources Commission honors two volunteers for restoring and caring for the South Asheville Cemetery Posted on May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Each year, the Historic Resources Commission awards an individual or individuals in the community who by word or deed has kindled among the citizenry of Asheville and Buncombe County an appreciation for the history or historic resources of the area. The Historic Resources Commission is pleased to honor this year’s recipients, George Taylor and George [...]