Buncombe County

Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division

In short

Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division issues 10 permits we publish for Buncombe County, last verified 2026-10-21. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Food Service Plan Review (new, existing or renovated establishment)	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	Food Service Plan Review (new) $250.00; Food Service Plan Review (existing greater than 500 sq. ft) $150.00; Food Service Plan Review Renovation/Addition (less than 500 sq. ft) $100.00 (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	one-time, per construction or remodeling project; plans must be approved before the project starts	2026-10-21
Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart Plan Review	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	$200 per application, non-refundable (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule, 'Mobile Food Unit Plan Review')	one-time, per mobile food unit or pushcart application	2026-10-21
Shared Use Kitchen / Commissary Review and Permitonly if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	$150 per application (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule, 'Shared Use Kitchen/Commissaries for Kitchens')	per application	2026-10-21
Temporary Food Establishment Permit (food vendor at a temporary event)	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	$75 per permit; set by G.S. 130A-248(d2) and collected by Buncombe County Environmental Health (listed in the FY27 Fee Schedule)	per event; a TFE operates 'for a period of time not to exceed 30 days at one event/location' (Starting a Food Business Guide)	2026-10-21
Child Care Center Sanitation Plan Review	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	No fee is published in the FY27 Fee Schedule for child care center plan review; contact Buncombe County Environmental Health at 828-250-5016 or ehrequest@buncombenc.gov for the current amount.	before construction, renovation, modification or change of ownership of the center	2026-10-21
On-site Wastewater (Septic) Permits — Commercialonly if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	Improvement Permit (residential, commercial & industrial): first 500 gallons $400.00, plus $250.00 for each additional 500 gallons (rounded to the nearest 500); Construction Authorization, Improvement & Operation Permits (commercial & industrial): first 500 gallons $550.00, plus $250.00 for each additional 500 gallons; Authorization to Construct with existing improvement permit (includes operations permit) $150.00, without $550.00; Authorization to Construct revision/expansion $200.00; Improvement Permit revision $200.00; Existing System Inspection $100.00; revisit fee (site not ready) $25.00 per additional visit; septic system repair 'No Charge' (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	per application, per site	2026-10-21
Private Well Permitonly if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	$350 per application (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule, 'Well Permit Fee')	per application, per well	2026-10-21
Public Swimming Pool Operation Permit (annual or seasonal)only if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	Public Swimming Pool Permit, annual $250.00; Initial Public Swimming Pool Permit, or annual permit renewal application received less than 30 days prior to expiration, $350.00; Public Swimming Pool Permit, seasonal $200.00; Public Swimming Pool Night Visit $100.00; Re-Visit Fee (if unable to permit) $75.00 per additional visit (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	annual or seasonal	2026-10-21
Public Swimming Pool Plan Reviewonly if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	$300 per application, per body of water (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule)	one-time, per pool or spa construction project	2026-10-21
Tattoo Artist Permit (annual)only if it applies to you	Buncombe County Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Services Division	Tattoo Parlor Permit, annual (charged per tattoo artist) $150.00; Initial Tattoo Permit or Late Tattoo Renewal Application (application less than 30 days before expiration) $200.00; Tattoo Convention Fee $150.00 per tattoo artist (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	one year; G.S. 130A-283(c) provides that 'A permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually'	2026-10-21

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Food Service Plan Review (new, existing or renovated establishment)

A restaurant or coffee shop that is being built, converted or remodeled in Buncombe County submits its plans to Buncombe County Environmental Health for review. The county's Starting a Food Business Guide states: 'Construction and remodeling projects require plans to be submitted and approved BEFORE starting the project', and advises owners to 'reach out before ANY remodeling, construction, or changes in ownership occur.' The FY27 Fee Schedule charges $250.00 per application for a new establishment, $150.00 for an existing establishment greater than 500 sq. ft, and $100.00 for a renovation or addition of less than 500 sq. ft; the schedule describes all three as 'charged for food service plan review and evaluation.' G.S. 130A-248(f) allows a local health department to charge 'a fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00)' for this review, so the new-establishment fee is at the statutory ceiling. Plan approval comes before, and is separate from, the year-round food service permit the guide describes for restaurants, caterers, delis, coffee shops, food trucks and pushcarts. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart Plan Review

A food truck (mobile food unit) or pushcart based in Buncombe County applies to Buncombe County Environmental Health on its Application for a Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart Permit. The FY27 Fee Schedule sets the Mobile Food Unit Plan Review at $200.00 per application, an increase from $175 noted on the schedule's list of FY2027 changes, and the application states that 'A non-refundable fee of $200.00 will be assessed to the applicant/operator and shall be paid with the submission of the application.' The application requires a proposed menu, a scaled drawing of the unit, manufacturer's specification sheets, a commissary approval form and a proposed operational schedule. It also states: 'Private residences cannot be used for commissary purposes. All units, when operating, must report daily to a food establishment or commissary approved by this department for supplies, cleaning, and servicing.' The application also states that Environmental Health 'does not issue verbal approvals regarding construction, design, or permitting mobile food units and pushcarts.' The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Shared Use Kitchen / Commissary Review and Permit

The FY27 Fee Schedule adds a new Environmental Health line, 'Shared Use Kitchen/Commissaries for Kitchens', at $150.00 per application, described as the 'Fee charged to review and permit shared use kitchens/commissaries'; the schedule's list of FY2027 changes shows it as a newly implemented fee. The county's Starting a Food Business Guide explains that 'Shared Kitchens / Commissary Kitchens are used by mobile food units and pushcarts, but are also commonly used by TFE vendors for food preparation and small business or start-up businesses such as for catering', that 'These spaces have an approved agreement for shared use', and that 'multiple businesses must obtain individual permits to operate from the shared space.' A restaurant kitchen that serves as a commissary for food trucks, or a commercial kitchen offered for shared use, falls under this line; mobile units must report to an approved commissary under the mobile food unit application. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Temporary Food Establishment Permit (food vendor at a temporary event)

A restaurant, caterer, coffee vendor or food truck operator selling regulated food from a booth at a fair, festival or similar event in Buncombe County needs a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit from Buncombe County Environmental Health. The fee is set by statute: G.S. 130A-248(d2) provides that a local health department 'shall charge each temporary food establishment ... a fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each permit issued.' The county collects it, and the FY27 Fee Schedule lists the Temporary Food Establishment Permit at $75.00 per application with the note 'These fees are set by NC General Statute and charged for food vendors associated with temporary events/festivals.' The county's vendor application states that 'A TFE permit may only be issued in conjunction to a special event such as fair, carnival, circus, public exhibition or other similar gathering', that 'Applications must be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the event', that 'A fee of $75.00 will be required for each food service permit', and that the event organizer must file a separate Organizer Application. The Starting a Food Business Guide limits a TFE to 'a period of time not to exceed 30 days at one event/location'. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Child Care Center Sanitation Plan Review

Opening, remodeling, reopening or buying a child care center in Buncombe County requires a sanitation plan review by Buncombe County Environmental Health. The county's Child Care Center Plan Review Application states: 'The North Carolina Rules Governing the Sanitation of Child Care Centers (15A NCAC 18A .2800) require that plans be submitted for approval prior to construction / renovation / modification / change of ownership of such facilities by the local Health Department (Buncombe County Environmental Health Division).' The submittal checklist asks for a drawing showing kitchen space and equipment, required sinks, classroom food service areas, diaper changing areas, mop sink and storage, with each classroom identified by age group, plus a proposed menu where applicable; the checklist is 'not required if only adding a room to an already licensed facility'. No fee is published in the FY27 Fee Schedule (Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) for this review; contact Environmental Health at 828-250-5016 or ehrequest@buncombenc.gov for the current amount. Environmental Health lists childcare centers among the businesses it regulates.

On-site Wastewater (Septic) Permits — Commercial

A business building or expanding on a site that is not on a public sewer in Buncombe County needs on-site wastewater (septic) permits from Buncombe County Environmental Health, which lists 'Permitting, inspection, and approval of septic systems' among its services. The FY27 Fee Schedule charges an Improvement Permit of $400.00 for the first 500 gallons plus $250.00 for each additional 500 gallons, a line that covers residential, commercial and industrial systems; commercial and industrial Construction Authorization, Improvement and Operation Permits of $550.00 for the first 500 gallons plus $250.00 for each additional 500 gallons; an Authorization to Construct, including the operations permit, of $150.00 with an existing improvement permit or $550.00 without one; $200.00 for an Authorization to Construct revision or expansion and $200.00 for an Improvement Permit revision; $100.00 for an existing system inspection; and $25.00 per additional visit when a site is 'not adequately prepared for an evaluation', reduced from $75 for FY2027. Septic system repair is listed as 'No Charge'. The Environmental Health page states that septic and well applications go to the Permitting Center at 35 Woodfin St. and must include the property PIN and plat. G.S. 130A-39(g) allows cost-related local fees for wastewater system services. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Private Well Permit

A business on a Buncombe County site without public or community water, such as a rural property converted to a veterinary clinic, salon or small restaurant, needs a well permit from Buncombe County Environmental Health. The FY27 Fee Schedule sets the Well Permit Fee at $350.00 per application. The Environmental Health page states: 'An application for a well permit must be submitted in conjunction with all septic permit applications except where municipal, community, shared, or other water supplies are available to serve the intended project.' The septic and well revisit fee for a site that is not ready is $25.00 per additional visit under the same schedule, and water sampling is priced separately. Applications go to the Permitting Center at 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, with the property PIN and plat. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Public Swimming Pool Operation Permit (annual or seasonal)

A fitness studio or gym with a public swimming pool or spa in Buncombe County needs an operation permit from Buncombe County Environmental Health, which lists swimming pools among the businesses it regulates; a studio without a pool has no pool permit. The FY27 Fee Schedule charges $250.00 for the annual permit and $350.00 for an initial permit for a newly constructed pool, or for an annual renewal 'submitted less than 30 days prior to the expiration of the permit'; a seasonal permit is $200.00. A night visit 'to verify lighting meets reuirements for night swimming' is $100.00, and a re-visit, charged 'when a public swimming pool is not adequately prepared for a permitting visit', is $75.00 per additional visit. The initial/late-renewal fee and the night visit are new for FY2027, according to the schedule's list of changes. G.S. 130A-39(g) allows a local board of health to impose cost-related fees for services under the Public Swimming Pools part of the statutes. Plan review for a new pool is a separate record. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Public Swimming Pool Plan Review

Building a public swimming pool or spa, for example at a fitness studio or gym, requires plan review by Buncombe County Environmental Health before the pool can later receive its operation permit; a studio without a pool has no pool plan review. The FY27 Fee Schedule lists 'Public Swimming Pool Plan Review (per body of water)' at $300.00 per application, so a facility with a pool and a separate spa pays for each body of water. G.S. 130A-39(g) allows a local board of health to impose cost-related fees for services under the Public Swimming Pools part of the statutes, based on a plan approved by the local board of health and the board of county commissioners. The building work for the pool is permitted separately by Permits and Inspections. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Tattoo Artist Permit (annual)

A salon or studio in Buncombe County where tattooing is performed needs each tattoo artist permitted; a salon without tattoo services is outside this record. Under G.S. 130A-283(c), an applicant applies to the state Department, which, 'acting through the local health department', inspects the premises, instruments, equipment and procedures, and 'A permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually'. Buncombe County Environmental Health lists tattoo parlors among the businesses it regulates. The FY27 Fee Schedule sets the 'Tattoo Parlor Permit, annual' at $150.00 ('This fee is charged to permit a tattoo artist'), down from $175; the 'Initial Tattoo Permit or Late Tattoo Renewal Application' at $200.00, charged to permit a new artist 'or when an existing artist application is submitted less than 30 days prior to expiration of permit'; and a Tattoo Convention Fee of $150.00 per artist for an event that does not exceed 7 days with at least 50 tattoo artists. The schedule states that the convention fee 'replaces the temporary/guest artist fees', and its list of FY2027 changes shows the Temporary Tattoo or Guest Tattoo Artist Permit removed. The figure is from the Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027, adopted June 2, 2026 under Section 8 of the county's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Under G.S. 153A-77(d)(1), as the schedule's introduction states, the Consolidated Human Services Board sets Environmental Health fees on the recommendation of the Human Services Director.

Contact

Jurisdiction: Buncombe County
Phone: 828-250-5016
Website: www.buncombenc.gov/456/Environmental-Health

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

Application for a Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart PermitBuncombe County Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
Buncombe County Budget Ordinance, Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 (adopted June 2, 2026)Buncombe County Board of Commissioners · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
Buncombe County Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)Buncombe County, North Carolina · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
Child Care Center Plan Review ApplicationBuncombe County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
Environmental HealthBuncombe County Health and Human Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
G.S. 130A-248 — food establishment permits: the $120 Department permit fee and its exclusions (d), the $25 late and $150 reinstatement fees (d1), the mandatory $75 temporary and limited food service fee (d2) and the $250 local plan review ceiling (f)North Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-30
G.S. 130A-283 — no person shall engage in tattooing without a permit from the Department, which acts through the local health department to inspect; the permit is valid one year and renewed annuallyNorth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-30
G.S. 130A-39(g) — a local board of health may impose cost-related fees for wastewater, public swimming pool and tattooing services on a plan approved by the local board of health and the county board of commissionersNorth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-30
Starting a Food Business GuideBuncombe County Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
Temporary Food Event Vendor ApplicationBuncombe County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21

Other offices serving Buncombe County

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