Buncombe County Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Buncombe County Permits and Inspections provides building permitting and inspection services for unincorporated Buncombe County and, through contractual agreements, for the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, and Woodfin. The City of Asheville has its own Development Services portal and permitting process, so Asheville city-limit projects should be checked with the city rather than assumed to be county permits.

Buncombe County permits and plan review

The county permitting division issues permits and provides plan review for new construction, remodels, upfits, repairs, single-family homes, duplexes, modular and manufactured homes, moved houses, demolitions, decks, commercial buildings, day cares, ABC inspections, and changes of use. The county’s planning guidance may require a site-plan review or zoning approval before a building permit can be completed.

The Development and Permits Portal supports online permitting services, permit-record searches, status checks, document uploads, and staff comments. Buncombe’s electronic plan-review instructions identify the portal as an Accela Citizen Access system. Use the portal for current workflows and verify whether the parcel is county-controlled or inside Asheville or another municipal authority.

Buncombe inspections and occupancy

The county inspection division conducts building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections on residential and commercial structures within its service area. Have the permit number and accurate site directions ready when requesting an inspection. The county states that permits expire six months after issuance if work has not commenced, and can expire after twelve months without activity once inspections have begun.

Buncombe County zoning guidance says a zoning permit may be required before a building permit and that a zoning inspection is required before a Certificate of Occupancy or temporary CO. The county recommends requesting zoning compliance inspection at least five business days before requesting the CO from Permits and Inspections and completing required setbacks, decks, porches, steps, and roof overhangs.

Buncombe County jurisdiction boundary

County permitting does not replace Asheville’s municipal permitting or zoning. The county’s official service-area guidance specifically distinguishes unincorporated areas and contracted towns. Confirm the parcel’s authority before applying, especially around Asheville, Weaverville, Woodfin, and Biltmore Forest, where different zoning or permit workflows may apply.

Official Buncombe County contact information

Buncombe County lists Permits and Inspections at 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, with a main line of (828) 250-5360. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with permit applications and fees not processed after 4 p.m. Use the official portal for permit and case searches and the county pages for zoning and inspection instructions.