departments & agencies
zoning information
Planning & Development
46 Valley St
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 250-4830
Buncombe County first implemented community planning and zoning in the 1970s in the Limestone and Beaverdam communities. The Board of Commissioners will undertake to expand zoning throughout the County in order to implement sound comprehensive planning policies and to protect individual property owners and neighborhoods from potentially incompatible land uses.
The proposed zoning districts and regulations are intended to guide development within the Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) service area by creating commercial hubs buffered by multi family development, thus allowing single family residential communities to maintain their residential neighborhood qualities. In areas outside the MSD boundaries, properties have been designated Open Use (OU), and only high impact land uses are restricted, including, but not limited to, chip mills, asphalt plants, amusement parks, and hazardous waste facilities. The proposed regulations give reasonable consideration to the character of the community, suitability for particular uses, and preserve the value of properties while encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the county.
- Buncombe County Zoning Information
- Find Your Zoning Designation
- Agendas
- Frequently Asked Questions About Zoning
- Contact Buncombe County Planning Department
Buncombe County Zoning Information
Proposed Zoning Maps
- Buncombe County
- County with Overlays
- Avery Creek
- Black Mountain / Swannanoa
- Reynolds / Limestone
- Riceville / Swannanoa
- Weaverville / Beaverdam
Current Ordinances
Current Beaverdam Community Land Use Ordinance (PDF)
Please refer to text of proposed County ordinance as well as maps to determine what changes, if any, may be under consideration.
Current Limestone Township Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
Please refer to text of proposed County ordinance as well as maps to determine what changes, if any, may be under consideration.
Amendment to Division 9 of the Limestone Township Zoning Ordinance (8/4/09)
Find Your Zoning Designation(s) Online
When you access the County's new GIS system simply:
- Select the type information you wish to search by in the upper left hand area.
- Enter the information you wish to search for.
- Select the result(s) below to zoom to the property.
- Close the pop up window.
- To see the current zoning of a property, select the zoning layer under “map layers” on the left hand side; to see the proposed zoning of a property, select the proposed zoning layer under “map layers on the left hand side.
Agendas & Submittal Deadlines
- Buncombe County Planning Board, Beaverdam Community Council, and Limestone Community Council Agendas and Notices
- Board of Adjustment notice
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoning and the proposed county-wide expansion of zoning
I thought the County was zoned in May of 2007. What happened?
The Board of Commissioners did adopt county-wide zoning in May of 2007. However, the Court of Appeals has overturned the ordinance. It is the intent of the Commissioners to undertake to expand zoning throughout the County. During the interim period, only those areas zoned prior to May of 2007 (Limestone and Beaverdam) will remain zoned, as those ordinances are still in effect.
How will my property be protected during this time period?
The Board of Commissioners has instituted a temporary moratorium against certain potentially undesirable uses in the unzoned areas of the County while the County undertakes the zoning process. Those uses are adult entertainment establishments, amusement parks, asphalt plants, concrete plants, chip mills, hazardous waste facilities, incinerators, junkyards, landing strips, motor sport facilities, outdoor shooting ranges, slaughtering plants, mining and extraction operations and solid waste facilities.
Can I keep my mobile home?
Property designated NS, CS, PS, R-1, R-2, or BDM does not allow the placement of additional mobile homes for residential use; however, existing mobile homes are allowed to remain and may be replaced with certain limitations.
What is the “OU” district?
In the Open Use District, Conditional Use Permits must be obtained from the Board of Adjustment for the following: six or more multi-family units on a single lot; adult entertainment establishments; amusement parks; asphalt plants; chip mills; concrete plants; hazardous waste facilities; incinerators; junkyards; landing strips; mining and extraction operations; motor sport facilities; outdoor commercial shooting ranges; slaughtering plants; and solid waste facilities.
Who decided these designations?
The Buncombe County Comprehensive Land Use Plan update made recommendations for the placement of zoning districts throughout the County. Maps were created based upon these recommendations, in coordination with the Planning Board, Commissioners, and County residents.
Why has my zoning designation changed?
The previous zoning maps were reviewed in order to identify and eliminate any potential “spot zonings;” zoning in this manner may be considered unequal treatment.
What if I have something on my property which is not allowed in my zoning district?
An existing use on the property that is not allowed in the zoning district would be grandfathered.
Can I have my property rezoned?
Once the zoning process is complete, there will be a procedure by which individuals may apply to have their zoning designation changed. Changes to a zoning designation constitute an amendment of the zoning maps, and per North Carolina General Statutes, as well as the proposed ordinance, a public hearing process is required. See North Carolina General Statute 153A-343 for more detail.
How will zoning affect my deed restrictions or subdivision covenants?
Deed restrictions and covenants will not be made less restrictive by the proposed zoning ordinance. The County enforces zoning regulations, but cannot enforce deed restrictions or subdivision covenants.
Will zoning stop annexation?
County zoning cannot prevent annexation.
Can I have a home business?
Home occupations are allowed in a person’s residence or in an accessory building in any zoning district, as long as they meet the ordinance's conditions. The regulations regarding home occupations can be found under the “definitions” section of the ordinance.
Can I continue to farm my land?
Yes, farming is exempt from any county zoning ordinance in North Carolina.