The official source for news, announcements and information from the City of Asheville
Buncombe County, including the City of Asheville, continues to see a significant growth in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Since Aug. 3, trends have not improved. At its Aug. 18 emergency meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency requiring residents and visitors in any indoor public [...]
Because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our community, on Aug. 9 Buncombe County began requiring masks in all County buildings regardless of vaccination status. The City of Asheville has followed the public health guidance from the Buncombe County Health Department throughout this pandemic and we will continue to do so. Beginning Aug. [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the March 9 City Council meeting. In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 1 p.m. budget work session. March 9 will be the first budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. [...]
An Elon University poll released Feb. 9 shows that 12 percent of North Carolinians say they have already received the COVID-19 vaccine and another 45 percent say they will get vaccinated once the shots are available to them. That’s an increase from 33 percent in favor of the vaccine in October and 40.5 [...]
Recognizing the additional threat of harm posed by COVID-19 to already vulnerable unsheltered residents, the City of Asheville has taken proactive measures to provide socially distanced emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Initially, the City provided temporary shelter to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of age [...]
Find information about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and more in Buncombe County. Visit BuncombeReady.org.
Understanding the continuing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Asheville is extending the safeguarding of City utility accounts for all customers from shut-offs due to nonpayment. To be clear: Bills will not be forgiven, but rather customers who fell behind in payments will be offered payment plans to help them catch up [...]
To help reduce economic hardship posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Asheville will continue to waive or suspend collection of fees on a case-by-case basis. Asheville City Council approved this action during their Jan. 12 meeting. The fees that may be waived include temporary uses, outdoor dining, a-frame signage, push carts, and associated trade permits. Many [...]
In recognition of City frontline and onsite employees who have remained on the job during the COVID pandemic, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a proclamation designating Jan. 12 as City Employee Heroes Day. While all employees are essential workers, because all City jobs have to be done in order to provide our community with vital City services, approximately [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Jan. 12 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This meeting can be accessed through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub.
Asheville has not seen a year like 2020 in a hundred years — literally. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 has the world — including our corner of it — experienced this kind of public health challenge. Working [...]
At the City of Asheville, all employees are essential workers, because all City jobs have to be done in order to provide our community with vital City services. During the pandemic, approximately 20% of the workforce was able to work from home. For the remainder of our workers, this was not an option. While the governor [...]
More businesses and organizations are operating outdoors this year, due to COVID-19. The City of Asheville reminds those with outdoor areas to do their part to operate safely. Beyond wearing a mask and other public health measures, businesses that choose to operate outdoors must follow all building and fire-safety codes while using equipment like heaters [...]
While the City of Asheville has reopened its public-facing offices in a limited capacity, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 27 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will continue its work session on proposed hotel development regulations. Here’s [...]
While the City of Asheville will reopen its public-facing offices in a limited capacity Oct. 12, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 13 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. work session on [...]
The City of Asheville will be extending the AVL Shares Space initiatives through Jan. 3, 2021, in order to continue providing businesses and organizations with opportunities to expand outdoors during COVID-19. In addition to the extension, new guidelines are being provided to participants that address winter-related accommodations and safety requirements. The goals [...]
On March 13, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Asheville Water Resources suspended all water account disconnections due to non-payment of City of Asheville combined utility bills. On March 31, the state of North Carolina followed suit with an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper that also suspended utility disconnections due to the [...]