• Online Permit Application

    For Commercial New Buildings, Shells, Multi-Family Buildings and First Upfits

  • Welcome to the City of Asheville's Development Services Department (DSD) online application for new commercial building permits.

    Use this online form to submit a new permit application for the following commercial building project types:

    • New Commercial Building 
    • New Multi-family Building
    • New Shells
    • First Upfits

    Do not use this online form to apply for the permit types below or to submit an amendment or revised application. Follow these links to access other applications:

    • Existing Commercial Building permits
    • Commercial Site Development permits
    • Residential or Commercial Trade permits (login required)
    • Residential Building/Site permits
    • Home Occupation permits
    • Homestay permits

    Click here to submit a revised application, amendment or response to comments.

    Review the application checklist on the next page before beginning your application. Incomplete applications will not move forward in the review process and will require additional time for administration and approval. 

    Contact the Permit Application Center at (828)259-5846 or pac@ashevillenc.gov for assistance. The Permit Application Center (PAC) is located at 161 S. Charlotte St. and open to assist you on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

     

  • Application Checklist

  • Review the checklist below before beginning the application on the next page.

    Click the blue links in the "Application Requirements" section to download and fill out .PDF versions of required forms. You will be directed to attach these filled out .PDF forms later in this application.  

    TIP: Right click the blue links and select "Open link in new tab" to stay on this application and open each link in a new browser window. 

    • Click here for formatting guidance on saving documents and plans in .PDF format. 
    • Click here for a Glossary of Terms that includes definitions and sample illustrations of Building Plan and Zoning and Grading Site Plan requirements.
    • Click here for a online application overview with instructions on how to check a permit's status, pick up staff review comments and approved permits and submit revisions.  

    Should you need assistance with this application, contact the Permit Application Center at (828)259-5846 or pac@ashevillenc.gov. The Permit Application Center (PAC) is located at 161 S. Charlotte St. Staff is available to assist you on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

  • Project Information

  • Please enter "TBD" for address if this location has not yet received a legally issued address found on an occupancy permit. Submitting an unofficial or incorrect address for this property will add processing time to your application and delay permit issuance.

  • Confirm that your property is located in the City of Asheville’s permitting jurisdiction and look up your Parcel Identification # (PIN) on SimpliCity. 

  • This project may require approval of zoning/site plans. If a site plan has not yet been submitted for this project, click this link to submit a zoning application for this project before proceeding.

  • To encourage and promote affordable housing, the City of Asheville has established an expedited plan review and fee rebate program for affordable housing projects. Click here to review program guidelines and requirements. 

  • If applying for more than one building/structure, please submit separate applications for each. 

  • Square foot area of each floor

  • Contractor Information

  • Complete the information below if available. Enter TBD for information that is not yet available. Incomplete information should be submitted later using the online resubmission form. 

    Plans for Fire Sprinkler, Fire Suppression, Fire Alarm, Refrigeration, Hood System and Emergency Radio (ERRC) permits should be submitted later through the online resubmission form. Please include these costs in the "Estimated Total Project Cost" below. 

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  • Applicant Information

  • Property Owner Information

  • Additional Contacts

  • Applicants will receive automated email notification at the email address they provide on this application when staff review comments are available for pick-up or permits have been approved and issued.

    Optional: Enter email addresses below for additional contacts to receive automated email notifications for this permit. 

  • Upload Required Application Forms

  • Use the "Browse Files" buttons below to upload your application's required forms and plans.

    All materials must be submitted in .PDF format. There is a 100 MB maximum per individual files.

    Click here to view digital submission guidelines that outline digital formatting requirements for .PDF forms and plans.

    Ensure .PDF files are flattened and unlocked to allow for mark-ups, file combining and processing. Failure to unlock files will results in longer processing and administration time. 

    Tip: Desktop software, like Adobe Acrobat, or free online programs, like www.ilovepdf.com, are helpful for converting documents to .PDF, merging individual pages into one .PDF document, and organizing .PDF pages.

    After you have submitted your new application, please monitor the applicant's email address for correspondance regarding permit fee payment and next steps. Click here for information about nexts steps, including checking permit status.  

     

    Required materials include:

    1. Commercial Application Required Forms 

    • Lien Agent Designation
    • Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Service Application OR MSD Wastewater Allocation Application
    • Water Availability and Meter Application (small projects) OR Water Letter of Commitment (large projects)
    • Construction Staging Plan (if applicable)

     

    2. Building Plans

    Assemble plan sets for the following trade/discipline groups into separate .PDF plan sets. Include the Appendix B in sealed plan sets. Click here for more details. Depending on type/scope, some projects may not require all plan sets:

    • Architectural
    • Civil Engineering
    • Structural
    • Plumbing
    • Mechanical
    • Electrical
    • Fire Protection: final installation set (shop drawings) shall be submitted at a later date for final issuance of permits 
      • Fire Alarm
      • Fire Sprinkler
      • Fire Suppression
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  • Building Plans

    Upload separate trade/discipline plan sets as applicable to your project. Failure to separate and name individual plan sets clearly will delay application processing and review.
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  • Acknowledgements

  • I hereby make an application for a permit and inspection of work described in this submittal. I certify that I am the authorized agent of the owner, tenant, and or contractor. The information submitted is correct to the best of my knowledge. All work will be done in accordance with all applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations, including current North Carolina State Building Code as adopted by the North Carolina Building Code Council and 87-14 Workers’ Compensation. The Development Services Department will be notified of any changes in the approved plans or specifications for the project as permitted.

    • I am authorized to submit this paperwork on behalf of the General Contractor or Financially Responsible Party. 
    • I understand that incomplete information may delay the processing of the submittal. Furthermore, I agree to be available at the phone number or email address above to respond to questions and concerns.
    • I attest that the email address I have provided is accurate and active and that, pursuant to NCGS 160D-404, the City may use it to serve me with notices and/or other documents as necessary.  
    • I understand that any payment due as a result of this submittal will prohibit new inspections from being scheduled intil the balance is paid. Payments can be made online. 

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