To support the recovery of Asheville’s business community and enable social distancing and safe public access to businesses and services, the City of Asheville is accepting requests from businesses and organizations located in Asheville's commercial zoning districts to temporarily expand use of private parking lots, landscape areas and walkways.

As of Dec. 16, 2020, this initiatives will be extended into 2021 for the duration of the Local State of NC Emergency issued by Buncombe County and the City of Asheville. Once the Local State of Emergency has been lifted, participating establishments will have 30 days to restore to pre-expansion conditions.

Restaurants, retail establishments and organizations with access to private parking, landscape areas and/or walkways may utilize these areas at no cost to provide service in accordance with the safety guidelines outlined in the Temporary Outdoor Expansion Guidelines for Private Parking Lots, Landscape Areas and Walkways, provided the consent of the landlord or property-owner is obtained and regulations and best practices by other applicable regulatory agencies are followed.

Please review all sections of the Temporary Outdoor Expansion Guidelines for Private Parking Lots, Landscape Areas and Walkways below before beginning your request. Then click the Begin button below to start your private space request. 

Click here to access separate guidelines and online request forms to temporary use the public sidewalk and public on-street public parking spot "parklet" adjacent to your organization. 

Call the Planner of the Day hotline at 828-259-5450 if you are unsure whether the space you are interested in using is public or private.

Once you submit your request, the City of Asheville will follow up with email authorization. You can expect to receive authorization or a request for further information within one (1) business day. Please ensure that your contact email address and phone number are correct in your request. 

Applicants may not enact any request to use private parking lots, landscape areas and walkways until they have received authorization from the City. City authorization is subject to evolving public health and safety guidance. The City may necessarily amend, delay or revoke authorization at any time.

Businesses eligible to serve alcohol on their temporarily extended premises must review and follow all guidelines set by the NC ABC Commission and notify their ALE agent or District ALE office of the temporary extension of premises prior to use of the extended area. Note that guidelines from NC ABC are currently only valid during Phase 3 of Governor Cooper’s easing of restrictions.

Before proceeding, review the Temporary Outdoor Expansion Guidelines below. Use the download button in the top right corner of the .PDF document window to download a copy for future reference.

* Note: it is your responsibility to receive approval from your landlord to use these areas. The City of Asheville does not administer tenant/landlord agreements.

Use the form below to apply for permitted activity beyond what is allowed without a permit by the Temporary Outdoor Expansion Guidelines. 

The permits listed below require additional review and fees and will be processed separately from your Temporary Outdoor Expansion Request. After your submission is complete, Development Services Department (DSD) staff will be in touch with you by email regarding payment and next steps.

If you are not ready to apply for these permits today, you can access permit applications and instructions for applying on DSD's Commercial Permits webpage.   

If you have questions, please contact the Permit Application Center (PAC) at pac@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5846 on Monday-Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (closed public holidays).

Follow these steps to prepare your permit application(s):

1. Download the appropriate blank application form:
   
   • Temporary sign/banner
   • Temporary Use permit  in order to:
     
     • Exceed permitted occupancy
     • Set up tents or shade structures larger than 10’x10’ tents (or smaller) and 9’ market umbrellas allowed under  guidelines
     • Set up structures, such as stages
     • Use electricity/generator
     • Host outdoor special event
     • Operate off-site
2. Complete the form(s) as you normally would, then print and sign.
3. Use a scanner or your mobile device to create a .PDF file of your form(s). Note: To convert a cell phone photo into a .PDF document, use the Adobe Scan app or IlovePDF service online .
4. Upload the scanned application or transmittal form using the buttons below.
   Remember to sign your forms and save them in .PDF format.

By submitting a request, the applicant acknowledges that any accommodations granted by the City are temporary in nature and may be amended or rescinded by the City at any time.

The applicant further acknowledges that the granting of temporary business accommodations shall not be construed to create any permanent vested rights in favor of the applicant.

In addition, the applicant understands that the City may place additional restrictions and conditions on individual requests. City staff will directly communicate restrictions and conditions for granted requests to each applicant.