What do these permits involve in Buncombe County?

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Commercial Building Plan Review

Commercial construction, additions, upfits and changes of use in the area Buncombe County Permits and Inspections serves go through commercial plan review before the permit is issued. The department page states that it 'provides building inspections and permitting services for all unincorporated areas of Buncombe County and through contractual agreements, provides these services for the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, and Woodfin.' The FY27 Fee Schedule sets commercial plan review fees 'based on project cost': $100.00 up to $10,000; $125.00 for $10,001-15,000; $150.00 for $15,001-25,000; $175.00 for $25,001-50,000; $200.00 for $50,001-100,000; $300.00 for $100,001-250,000; $500.00 for $250,001-500,000; $750.00 for $500,001-1,000,000; and $1,500.00 where the project cost is over $1,000,000. The department's own sheet headed 'PERMIT FEES (July 1, 2026)' lists the same review tiers in Section II b). An amendment to approved commercial plans is charged under the same tables with a $100.00 minimum review fee, according to that sheet. 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.

Commercial Building and Trade Permit (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing)

Buncombe County Permits and Inspections issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for commercial work in 'all unincorporated areas of Buncombe County' and, 'through contractual agreements', in the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville and Woodfin, as its department page states. The FY27 Fee Schedule charges commercial permit fees 'based on project cost per applicable trade', from $100.00 for a project up to $5,000 through seventeen tiers to $10,000.00 for $875,001-1,000,000, and above $1,000,000 '$10,000 + .0015 of each million dollar or portion thereof'. Commercial trade permits carry a $100.00 per trade minimum, and an inspection or permit not listed on the schedule carries a $100.00 minimum commercial fee. The department's sheet headed 'PERMIT FEES (July 1, 2026)' adds: 'Commercial Permits for Additions, Remodels, Repairs, Upfit, Change of Use and Boiler replacements/repairs will be charged an additional fee of $50 for an Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency Asbestos Removal Site Evaluation'; the FY27 schedule lists the matching Air Quality line, Demolition and Renovation Permit Review for commercial structures, at $50.00 per structure. Signs and retaining walls are priced under the same commercial tables ('Reference Sections II a) & b)' on the department sheet). A commercial temporary certificate of occupancy and temporary utilities costs $300.00 for the first 30 days and $150.00 per 30-day renewal, or $80.00 and $40.00 where no additional building inspections are needed. The schedule's 'Working without permit' line charges 'Double Current Permit Fee'. Commercial plan review is a separate charge. 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.

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.

Certificate of Zoning Compliance / Site Plan Review (zoning permit)

Buncombe County Code Sec. 78-598(a) provides that no building or other structure 'shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered, nor shall any building permit be issued, nor shall any change in the use of any building or land be made until a certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued by the zoning administrator.' Under Sec. 78-579 the zoning article applies to 'the portion of Buncombe County specifically identified and delineated on the zoning map'. The county Zoning page states that 'A Zoning Permit is required in order to obtain a Building Permit for any piece of land that has a zoning district', that applicants 'submit an application for a Site Plan Review (SPR)' on the Permits Portal, and that 'A zoning inspection is required prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy or temporary CO.' The FY27 Fee Schedule charges $25.00 for Site Plan Review of 'All New Structures, Existing Structure Footprint Changes, and Site Work Projects'; a by-right zoning fee for a commercial or office sign, addition or accessory structure of $125.00 under 10,000 sq ft, $300.00 from 10,000 to under 50,000, $450.00 from 50,000 to 100,000 and $600.00 over 100,000; $35.00 for a Zoning Determination Letter; and $50.00 more inside the Steep Slope/High Elevation, Protected Ridge or Blue Ridge Parkway overlays. The schedule states: 'All fees shall be double the base fee if land uses, construction, &/or land disturbing activities are commenced before obtaining a permit.' 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.

Home Occupation / Change of Use Permit

The FY27 Fee Schedule charges a $125.00 flat Change of Use Fee covering 'Home Occupations, Change of Uses Within Existing Structures, Establishment or Expansion of Land Uses Where Primary Uses of Land Are Outdoors (Excluding Junkyards)'. A business run from a home in zoned Buncombe County, or one moving into an existing building whose use changes, pays this fee to Planning and Development. The county's Home Occupation Permit form verifies 'that a Home Occupation meets the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance'; its minimum requirements include that the occupation be conducted entirely within a dwelling or accessory structure by the occupants, that it 'not occupy more than 25% of the total floor space of the dwelling, or the entire accessory structure', that there be no visible evidence of the business 'other than an unlighted sign located on the premises and not over two square feet in area', and that 'No more than two persons not in residence on the property shall be employed in connection with the home occupation.' 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.

Special Use Permit or Variance (commercial, Board of Adjustment)

The county Zoning page states that 'A Special Use Permit is required for some uses as outlined in the Permitted Use Table of the Zoning Ordinance', that a variance is needed 'to obtain an exception from an ordinance requirement, such as minimum lot sizes, height limits, setback requirements, or parking standards', that a pre-application conference with Planning staff is required, and that 'Applications for a Variance or Special Use Permit require a public hearing before the Board of Adjustment.' Whether a particular business needs a special use permit depends on its use and zoning district in the Permitted Use Table. The FY27 Fee Schedule charges a commercial, office or industrial Special Use Permit at $500.00 for structures under 10,000 sq ft, $1,000.00 for 10,000 to under 50,000, $1,500.00 for 50,000 to 100,000 and $2,000.00 over 100,000, with $200.00 for each additional 25 acres over 25 acres and a stated '*Maximum Fee Per Owner is $2000.00'. A variance is $350.00, plus $25.00 per additional lot. The Zoning page notes submittal deadlines roughly two months before a meeting date. 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.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Commercial Building Plan Review	Buncombe County Permits and Inspections	Commercial plan review by project cost: $0-10,000 $100.00; $10,001-15,000 $125.00; $15,001-25,000 $150.00; $25,001-50,000 $175.00; $50,001-100,000 $200.00; $100,001-250,000 $300.00; $250,001-500,000 $500.00; $500,001-1,000,000 $750.00; project cost over $1,000,000 $1,500.00 (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	one-time, per project	2026-10-21
Commercial Building and Trade Permit (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing)	Buncombe County Permits and Inspections	Per applicable trade, by project cost: $0-5,000 $100; $5,001-10,000 $125; $10,001-15,000 $200; $15,001-25,000 $350; $25,001-50,000 $600; $50,001-75,000 $1,000; $75,001-100,000 $1,500; $100,001-150,000 $1,800; $150,001-200,000 $2,400; $200,001-275,000 $3,000; $275,001-350,000 $3,400; $350,001-425,000 $4,000; $425,001-500,000 $4,500; $500,001-625,000 $5,200; $625,001-750,000 $6,200; $750,001-875,000 $7,200; $875,001-1,000,000 $10,000; over $1,000,000, $10,000 plus .0015 of each million dollars or portion thereof. Commercial trade permits $100.00 per trade minimum; minimum commercial fee for an inspection or permit not listed $100.00; plus $50 Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency asbestos removal site evaluation on commercial additions, remodels, repairs, upfits, changes of use and boiler replacements/repairs. Commercial temporary certificate of occupancy and temporary utilities: $300.00 first 30 days, $150.00 per 30-day renewal ($80.00 and $40.00 with no additional building inspections). Working without a permit: double the current permit fee (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	per permit, for the project	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
Certificate of Zoning Compliance / Site Plan Review (zoning permit)	Buncombe County Planning and Development	Site Plan Review (SPR), all new structures, existing structure footprint changes and site work projects, $25.00 flat; Zoning 'By Right' Commercial/Office Sign, Addition, or Accessory/Structure: $125.00 (less than 10,000 sq ft), $300.00 (10,000 to less than 50,000 sq ft), $450.00 (50,000 to 100,000 sq ft), $600.00 (more than 100,000 sq ft); Zoning Determination Letter $35.00; Steep Slope/High Elevation, Protected Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway Overlay $50.00 in addition to applicable fees; work or use without a permit 'Double Regular Permit Fee' (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	one-time, per project	2026-10-21
Home Occupation / Change of Use Permitonly if it applies to you	Buncombe County Planning and Development	$125 flat fee (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule, 'Change of Use Fee')	one-time, per home occupation or change of use	2026-10-21
Special Use Permit or Variance (commercial, Board of Adjustment)only if it applies to you	Buncombe County Planning and Development	Special Use Permit - Commercial/Office/Industrial: $500.00 (structures less than 10,000 sq ft), $1,000.00 (10,000 to less than 50,000 sq ft), $1,500.00 (50,000 to 100,000 sq ft), $2,000.00 (more than 100,000 sq ft); development of more than 25 acres adds $200.00 per each additional 25 acres, maximum fee per owner $2,000.00. Variance $350.00 flat, plus $25.00 per additional lot (Buncombe County FY27 Fee Schedule).	one-time, per case	2026-10-21

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