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Development Services
The City of Asheville is dedicated to ensuring safe development and construction while providing a high level of service and efficiency to those seeking development services. Development Services is the umbrella name for the development assistance and regulation provided by five city departments: the Building Safety Department, Planning & Development Department, Transportation & Engineering Department, Water Resources Department and the Asheville Fire & Rescue Department. Read the step-by-step process outlined below for more information about the development process.
Step-By-Step Development Process Overview
Step 1: Project Definition
Step 2: Permit Applications
Step 3: Plan Review
Step 4: Inspections
Step 5: Project Close-out & Occupancy
Important Contact Information
Step 1. Define your project: The process for obtaining a permit depends on the scope of your project.Small Projects: If you are preparing for a simple project like installing a water heater or a small project that does not entail adding square footage or changing structural components, you may qualify for a stand alone or small project permit, which typically take 1-2 days to process. Read more about small project permits.
Level I Projects: If your project is less than 35,000 square feet or less than 20 residential units, it is called a Level I project. All projects that require plan review must comply with local zoning regulations. Begin the development process by obtaining specific information about your site, including zoning requirements, by scheduling a pre-application conference.
Level II & III Projects, Subdivisions & Conditional Zoning: Projects above 35,000 square feet or more than 20 residential units fall within this category. These projects are required to begin the development process by scheduling a pre-application conference.
Water Availability: One of the first steps in the development process is to determine if there is enough water capacity for your proposed development. It is important to begin your Water Availability Application early because a “letter of water commitment availability” is needed before you apply for other permits. (Back to Top) |
Step 3. Plan review: Once you submit your permit application, the maps, construction documents and plans included with your application are reviewed by technical experts to ensure compliance with development codes and regulations. As each reviewer completes the review, he or she will either "sign-off" on the approval or return marked-up plans with comments to the customer for revisions. When the necessary approvals are obtained, you will receive a permit to begin work. You can track your application status at the Online Services module for Development & Building Permit Tracking.Level I Projects: These projects are subject to ministerial plan review, which means that are reviewed and approved at a city staff level. Level I Application Checklist
Level II Projects (35,000-100,000 square feet or 20-50 multi-family units): Level II projects are reviewed by city staff and the Technical Review Committee. The TRC process includes an opportunity for public input.
Level III Projects (above 100,000 square feet or 50 units) & Major Subdivisions: Level III projects are reviewed by city staff, the Technical Review Committee, the Planning & Zoning Commission and Asheville City Council. This process provides multiple opportunities for public input including a public hearing.
Types of review: Learn more about specific types of review including Design Review, Site Plan Review, Building Review, Grading & Erosion Control Review, Stormwater Review and Waterline Review. (Back to Top) |
Step 5. Project Close-out & Occupancy: When construction work is complete and inspected, the Development Services Center issues Certificates of Occupancy, which must be obtained before a building is occupied. Certificates of Occupancy cannot be issued until all of the required inspections are complete and the project passes its final inspection.Temporary Occupancy: A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued when the Building Official finds that no substantial hazard will result from occupancy of any structure or portion of a structure before all work is completed. A Certificate of Occupancy is required upon completion of the remainder of the work.
Regular Occupancy: Certificates of Occupancy are issued when all work for which the Building Permit was issued is complete and has had a final inspection.
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Important Contact InformationCity of Asheville Development Services Center
Building Safety Department
Location: 161 S. Charlotte St., A-101
Mailing: P.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC
Phone: (828) 259-5846
| Office of the Technical Review Manager
Planning & Development Department
Location: Development Services Center
Mailing: P.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC Kim Hamel, (828) 259-5849
khamel@ashevillenc.gov Jennifer Blevins, (828) 259-5442
jblevins@ashevillenc.gov |
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