Apply for a Commercial Permit Last updated or reviewed on September 10, 2024 The Development Services Department (DSD) accepts and processes commercial permit applications for projects in the City of Asheville. Click here to confirm that your property is located in the City of Asheville’s permitting jurisdiction. A complete list of application forms and resources are listed below by project type. Submit completed forms and applications in .PDF format online through the Development Portal. Zoning requirements can impact commercial development. Prior to preparing plans, obtain information specific to your site or schedule an Early Assistance meeting. Click here for applications and information for large commercial Level II, Major Subdivision and Conditional Zoning projects that will require Technical Review Committee (TRC) review. DSD’s Permit Application Center (PAC) is located at 161 South Charlotte Street and open Monday to Friday to assist customers from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed on public holidays). Customers can also contact pac@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5846 with questions. Click here for additional staff contacts. Click here for a glossary of common terms. Application Forms and Resources by Project Type Application forms and resources are listed below by project type: Stand Alone Trade Permit Minor Subdivision/Recombination Commercial Signs/Merchandise/Outdoor Dining Special Event/Temporary Use/Mobile Food Vending New Construction/Additions Alterations/Renovations Tenant Upfit- First Occupancy Commercial Repair/Replace Tenant Occupancy- Existing Building Commercial Reroof Commercial Demolition Commercial Solar PV Tree Removal Commercial Development Fees Stand Alone Trade Permit Stand Alone and Multi-Trade Application (apply online; login required) Lien Agent Designation (required if cost of work over $40,000) Minor Subdivision/Recombination Minor Subdivision/Recombination Revisions Application Package Commercial Signs/Merchandise/Outdoor Dining A-Frame Sign Application Sign Application (Permanent & Temporary) Sign Face Change and Temporary Banner Application (online; login required) Outdoor Dining Application – Sidewalk Dining and Streetery Outdoor Merchandise Application Pushcart Application and Pushcart Location Map Encroachment Application Special Event/Temporary Use/Mobile Food Vending Special Event and Temporary Use Application Eventos y Uso Temporal en Espanol Private Property Event Guide Other Temporary Uses- Construction Staging/Construction Trailer Application Emergency Action Plan (EAP) template Operational Fire Application New Construction/Additions Note: For additions over 500 square feet Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application (online) Commercial Application (paper) Commercial Building Plans Checklist Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application (online) Required Site Development Forms Commercial Site Development Application (online) Commercial Application (paper) Commercial Site Plans Checklist (10,000 sq ft or more) Commercial Site Plans Checklist (Under 10,000 sq ft) Grading, Erosion Control and Flood Sketch Checklist (Under 10,000 sq ft) Grading, Erosion Control and Flood Final Plan Requirement Checklist Fire Department Water Supply Analysis Request Tree Protection Plan Checklist Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Affordable Housing Fee Rebate program (multi-family homes are eligible): Affordable Housing Fee Rebate Instructions and Verification form Affordable Housing Expedited Plan Review process Alternative Compliance Landscape Request Application Owner’s Affidavit Operational Fire Application Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Board of Adjustment Zoning Variance Application Board of Adjustment Interpretation/Appeal Board of Adjustment Reasonable Accommodation Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Encroachment Application Standard Specifications and Details Modification (SSDM) Request Project Close-out Forms Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Site Development Engineering (SDE) Permit Extension/Renewal Request Slope Stability Certification Mulch Maintenance Responsibility Agreement Stormwater Retention Device O&M Agreement and Exhibit Guidelines Resources Digital Application Formatting Guidelines Design Professional Acceptance Form Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Fire Department Water Supply Analysis Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Recommended Tree Species List Silt Fence Guidelines Alterations/Renovations Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application (online) Commercial Application (paper) Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application (online) Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Operational Fire Application Owner’s Affidavit Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Recommended Tree Species List Project Close-out Forms Slope Stability Certification Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Resources Digital Application Formatting Guidelines Design Professional Acceptance Form Transmittal Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Recommended Tree Species List Silt Fence Guidelines Tenant Upfit- First Occupancy Required Building Construction Forms Commercial Application (online) Commercial Application (paper) Appendix B (2018 version) Lien Agent Designation Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (paper) Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application, fee payment, status (online) Water Availability and Meter Application (online) Supplemental Forms (may be applicable) ABC Packet Operational Fire Application Permit Amendment Application Historic District Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Historic District Minor Work Certificate of Appropriateness Application Project Close-out Forms Temporary Utility Service Application Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) Application Financial Surety (Bond) Estimate Form Resources Digital Application Formatting Guidelines Transmittal Form Design Professional Acceptance Form Permit Amendment Application Restaurant Startup Guide Guide to Scheduling Inspections Inspector Directory Development Services Fee Schedule Commercial Repair/Replace Commercial Application (online) Commercial Application (paper) Tenant Occupancy- Existing Building Tenant Occupancy Application Commercial Reroof Commercial Application Lien Agent Designation Commercial Demolition Before your building is demolished, consider allowing the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) to use your building for valuable life safety training. Please contact Fire Division Chief Wes Rogers at wrogers@ashevillenc.gov or 828-232-4511 to discuss. Commercial Application Lien Agent Designation Western North Carolina Air Quality Approval Application Commercial Solar PV Commercial Application Solar PV System Submittal Requirements Guide and Application Tree Removal Tree Removal Permit Application FAQ About Tree Canopy Preservation Requirements Commercial Development Fees Development Services Fee Schedule Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Fees Water Resources Fees Commercial Permit Information Lien Agent Designation Effective for construction projects beginning on or after April 1, 2013, North Carolina law requires appointment of a lien agent. Contractors and subcontractors can then give notice they are working on the project. Appointments are not required for (1) improvements under $40,000 or (2) to the owner’s existing residence or (3) for public building projects. Our office will require the lien agent designation before a permit will be released for commencement of construction, including stand alone permits. You may visit the website LiensNC.com for additional information and a step-by-step guide to completing the designation process online. Stand Alone and Multi-Trade Permits A permit for a minor residential installation is called a stand alone trade permit. If an installation requires more than one type of installation, it is referred to as a multi-trade permit. Plumbing, electrical or mechanical (HVAC) projects that do not require plans, but require a permit, can often be issued the same day they are requested. Projects in this category include: installing a new electrical circuit HVAC replacements ad system installation adding or replacing a water heater Generators that are primarily electric with gas work Licensed contractors are encouraged to use the Citizen Access website to apply online for these permits (account login require). Permits are issued at application when using this website. Click here for a step-by-step guide to applying for a trade permit online. Small Project Permits Seemingly uncomplicated projects may require plan submittal and review from multiple disciplines. Small project permits can often be issued more quickly than other permits; estimate around 10 working days. Examples of small projects include signs, temporary use permits, or tenant up-fits of existing units. Standard and Large Project Permits Within “standard” and “large” commercial projects the scale and complexity can vary greatly but they always require technical review by multiple disciplines. The “standard” category covers most low to mid-rise construction. The “large” commercial project category will generally take longer to review due to special detailed requirements based on use and occupancy. High rise construction, covered malls, multi-family buildings over four stories or over 100 units, assemblies of greater than 1,000 occupants, education buildings, institutional buildings, and hazardous uses are considered large commercial projects. The anticipated review times reflect project complexity. Consult the review times matrix to understand how long it will take staff to review your project. Occupancy or Tenant Change With No Construction Work Performed If you are moving into a vacant tenant space with a new business similar to previous tenant and will not be performing any construction work, you need to secure Tenant Occupancy. The life-safety criteria and permit process is defined in the Tenant Change Out Bulletin (found above). Please complete the Tenant Occupancy Application (found above) and bring it to the Permit Application Center. In most cases, the permit can issued at the time of application, and inspections can be performed the next day. If the use you are proposing is classified differently from the previous use, you will be asked to submit plans for review. Business Licenses The City of Asheville no longer has the authority to collect a privilege license tax (i.e. business license), with the exception of beer and wine taxes. This is in accordance with North Carolina S.L. 2014-3 Section 12, effective July 1, 2015. It should be noted that while the Local Privilege License Tax is no longer being collected, the State Privilege License authority is still in place.
