*** Early Assistance Meetings have resumed as of 10/31/2024. For the next several weeks, these meetings will only be available for Tropical Storm Helene related permitting issues. Fees for these meetings will be waived for storm related projects. Please note that as our staff continues to work in and with the community, it is possible that some disciplines may not have staff available for these meetings for several more weeks. We will endeavor to have specific questions answered from these staff members and included in the meeting notes.***
The Early Assistance program provides a non-mandatory flexible review session for prospective business owners, developers, and designers to receive expert technical advice from staff during the preliminary phase of a project. Go to Development Portal to schedule your Early Assistance Meeting. Floodplain Assistance Support Team (FAST) sessions are now available. Dedicated time slots for FAST Sessions are offered twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. Indicate in the ‘Project Details’ that you are requesting a FAST Session and the meeting will be prioritized and the the full team will be alerted and in attendance at the meeting.
The cost of this service is $120.00 plus a 4% technology fee. You will receive an invoice by email after submitting this request. (FAST Sessions are offered fee-free.)
Disciplines available upon request include:
- Building Safety
- Planning and Urban Design
- Public Works
- Fire Safety
- Addressing
- Site Engineering
- Water Engineering
To submit for this meeting, you will need to provide the following information:
- Project Address and Parcel Number (PIN)
- Project Description
- Brief description of key questions/issues for each requested discipline
A preliminary site plan is required for this meeting. Please review the City of Asheville’s Unified Development Ordinance before drafting a conceptual site plan.
Contact
Email pod@ashevillenc.gov with questions.