Welcome to the City of Asheville's Development Services Department (DSD) online application for residential building and site development permits.

Use this online form to submit a new application for the following residential project types:

• New single family home (SFD)
• Duplex
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
• Accessory Structure
• Renovation/remodel/addition
• Reroof
• Repairs
• Decks
• Grading/Site Work
• Setting new manufactured home
• Interior demolition
• Structural demolition
• Non-structural demolition
• Solar PV
   

Do not use this online form to apply for the permit types below. Follow these links to access other applications:

• Residential or Commercial Trade permits (apply online; login required)
• Home Occupation permits
• Homestay permits
• Commercial permits
   

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

Review the Residential 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.

 

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. See "Notes about Required Forms" at the bottom of this webpage for additional information. 

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 residential 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.

NOTES ABOUT REQUIRED FORMS

Lien Agent Designation is not required if:

• Total project cost is under $40,000; or
• The property is the owner's existing residence;
•  The property is a public building.

Owner's Affidavit is required if the applicant is unable to obtain the owner's signature.

Water Availability and Meter application is not required if the residence already has a water source.

Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) application is required if new plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, faucets, etc.) will be installed.

Residential Plan Review Waiver is required if you opt out of the optional building plan review service for this residential project.

Building Plans:

• Do not need to be professionally drawn;
• Are always required, except for buildings 12' or smaller (l/w) without utilities or projects consisting of site work only.

Zoning and Grading Site Plans are required if you are expanding the building footprint, undertaking any work that impacts the site, installing a driveway, and/or building an addition to the existing house, attached or freestanding deck or detached structure (ADU, garage, shed etc.). 

Financial Responsibility - Ownership Form is required for projects requiring site engineering (grading) work, such as new homes, additions, accessory buildings, and ADUs. 

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

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.

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.

*If this application is not signed by the Property Owner, a notarized Owner's Affidavit must be uploaded later in this application granting authority for the Applicant to sign.

Applicants who are not the Property Owner must provide a notarized Owner's Affidavit granting authority to sign. You will be directed to upload your notarized .PDF copy of this form later in this application.

The applicant will receive automated email notification at the email address they provide on this application when 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. 

Use the "Upload" 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 .JPG photos 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. Residential Application Required Forms 

• Lien Agent Designation (name file: LienAgent.pdf) 
• Water Availability Application* (name file: Water.pdf)
• Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Application (name file: MSD.pdf)
• Residential Plan Review Waiver (if applicable; name file:
• ResidentialWaiver.pdf) 
• Owner's Affidavit (if applicable; name file: OwnerAffidavit.pdf)
• Financial Responsibility - Owner Form (if applicable; name file: FRO.pdf)

2. Building Plans (name file: BuildingPlans.pdf)

3. Zoning and Grading Site Plans (name file: SitePlans.pdf)

 

*Important Note: In addition to submitting this digital application, residential projects requiring new water service must pay related tap/meter fees and pick up a blue utility flag in-person with a City of Asheville Water Department representative at City Hall at 70 Court Plaza St. during business hours (M-F; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm).

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. 

If you clicked "Submit" and the form did not proceed to the next page, please scroll up to complete required fields.