Update March 27-Permits & Inspections Work Continues

March 27, 2020-Important update and subject to change

Regarding the Stay Home and Safe Order:

At this point, the Buncombe County “Stay Home and Safe Order” is not a (more restrictive) shelter in place order.  See below – you will note in Section iii. that residential and commercial construction activities are included in the essential critical infrastructure exemption. This is consistent with state guidance, see attached memos. Most importantly, while work may continue for now, it is critical for workers to maintain social distancing. However, there may be additional restrictions and guidance that will further limit construction activities, but for now they may continue if guidelines are followed.      

View order here.

iii. Essential Critical Infrastructure. Work necessary to the operations and maintenance of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors as identified by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) including public works construction, residential and commercial construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), financial institutions, defense and national security-related operations, essential manufacturing operations provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet, to the extent
possible. Essential Businesses providing essential infrastructure should implement screening precautions to protect employees and all activity shall be performed in compliance with social distancing guidelines attached.

Posted March 18, 2020

Buncombe County wants to reiterate that the Permitting and Inspections Department is processing permits and performing inspections. However, the building at 30 Valley St. is not open to the public. Permit holders should continue to request inspections until further notice. Permitting and inspections services can be accessed via the following:

• Find forms and applications here.
• A drop box has been placed outside the building entrance (30 Valley St.) for permit applications and commercial plans.
• Same-day inspections can still be scheduled between 7-9 a.m. Inspections for stand-alone permits that require entering a private home will not be performed unless it is deemed an emergency (e.g., restoring power or heat). The department is working on guidelines to perform live-remote inspections for these trade permits. For updates on availability of this service, check here.
• Work is underway on additional ways to electronically send applications and supplemental documents for current and pending building permits. Meantime, please continue to use the Citizens Access Portal for all trade permits.
• All payments must be processed online, no payments can be made at the Permitting & Inspections office.
• Please check Permitting & Inspection’s website for the most current updates to these guidelines.

Please note, residential plan reviews are no longer required, but permits will still be issued. Residential plan review is suspended only while our offices are closed to the public.

You can find more information about County closures, modified services, and online resources here.