What we do Last updated or reviewed on November 20, 2024 10/28/24: City of Asheville offices are open. Planning and Urban Design Department staff are prioritizing storm-related response needs. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CITY UPDATES The City’s Development Services Department is prioritizing storm-related emergency permitting. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PERMITTING CLICK HERE FOR HELPFUL BUSINESS OPENING INFORMATION 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. 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 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 Coxe Avenue Streetscape Overview The goal of this project is to transform Coxe Avenue to improve the safety and overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the street. The design will include improvements to sidewalks, stormwater and water infrastructure, lighting and streetscape elements and a reconfiguration of parts of the street. Happening Now This project is currently in the [...] Urban Forest Master Plan Project Overview The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design department is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan that will guide policies and recommendations for sustainable growth and preservation of Asheville’s urban canopy. The project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in late fall of 2025. For project updates, timeline and [...] Boosting the Block The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment. Explore Related ProjectsPlanning and Urban Design News Follow our Helene Recovery efforts: Learn to navigate with the City’s Recovery Dashboard Posted on December 18, 2024December 18, 2024 by Kim Miller Check out this "how to" video to make the most our the interactive Helene Recovery Dashboard - a tool for you! New public restroom to open Downtown Posted on November 20, 2024December 3, 2024 by Meredith Friedheim The City of Asheville is excited to announce the opening of a 24/7 accessible public restroom in the heart of downtown. Located in the public space at the corner of College Street and Rankin Avenue, the prefabricated facility is designed to enhance downtown amenities, promote public health, and support economic activity – all of which [...] Competitive Process for Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Service Provider Continues with Extended Proposal Deadline Posted on November 5, 2024 by Jessica Hughes The City of Asheville is moving forward with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a Service Provider to manage services and operations of the newly formed Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The RFP was released on September 20, 2024. Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the timeline of the RFP process [...] 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 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.
Coxe Avenue Streetscape Overview The goal of this project is to transform Coxe Avenue to improve the safety and overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the street. The design will include improvements to sidewalks, stormwater and water infrastructure, lighting and streetscape elements and a reconfiguration of parts of the street. Happening Now This project is currently in the [...]
Urban Forest Master Plan Project Overview The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design department is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan that will guide policies and recommendations for sustainable growth and preservation of Asheville’s urban canopy. The project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in late fall of 2025. For project updates, timeline and [...]
Boosting the Block The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment.
Follow our Helene Recovery efforts: Learn to navigate with the City’s Recovery Dashboard Posted on December 18, 2024December 18, 2024 by Kim Miller Check out this "how to" video to make the most our the interactive Helene Recovery Dashboard - a tool for you!
New public restroom to open Downtown Posted on November 20, 2024December 3, 2024 by Meredith Friedheim The City of Asheville is excited to announce the opening of a 24/7 accessible public restroom in the heart of downtown. Located in the public space at the corner of College Street and Rankin Avenue, the prefabricated facility is designed to enhance downtown amenities, promote public health, and support economic activity – all of which [...]
Competitive Process for Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Service Provider Continues with Extended Proposal Deadline Posted on November 5, 2024 by Jessica Hughes The City of Asheville is moving forward with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a Service Provider to manage services and operations of the newly formed Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The RFP was released on September 20, 2024. Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the timeline of the RFP process [...]
