Permits & Applications

The Planning and Zoning Department regulates and permits a wide variety of activities within the City of Brevard. Please see the basic information below regarding the hows, whats, and whys of general permitting processes in the city. To download applications for the various permitted activities, visit the Applications and Forms page.


NOTE: The City does not handle permits or inspections for North Carolina Building Code. The Transylvania County Building Permitting and Enforcement Department fills this role for the entire county, including inside the corporate limits of Brevard and Rosman.

When a Permit is Needed

The following activities within the City of Brevard's zoning jurisdiction require permit approval:

  • New business locating to the city
  • Existing businesses relocating to a new location
  • Existing businesses undergoing physical expansion within the same location
  • Remodeling, renovation, or other physical alteration of an existing structure
  • The placement of any signage
  • Special events
  • Temporary or mobile vendors
  • The closure of any street or sidewalk
  • Adding a fence to your property

A permit is required for a variety of reasons to protect public safety and quality of life:

  • To ensure that proposed businesses are legally allowable in the proposed location
  • To ensure that structural alterations are safe and compliant with the city's requirements
  • To protect the integrity of the city's utility system

APPROVAL PROCESS

Depending on the nature and scale of your submittal, the approval process can take from a few minutes to several weeks, and can include several departments from the City of Brevard, Transylvania County, and the State of North Carolina.

PROCESS FOR NEW, RELOCATING, OR EXPANDING BUSINESSES

  • Zoning review is performed by the City Planning Department. Additional review by various City boards and departments is not typically required.
  • Restaurants and certain other types of businesses require additional approval from the Transylvania County Department of Public Health.
  • After zoning permit approval, businesses may occupy and set up their space.
  • Prior to opening for customers, businesses need to schedule a final inspection. Planning and Fire Department personnel will inspect for compliance with the approved permit, install Knox Box keys, and develop a fire response plan.

ADDITIONAL PROCESS STEPS FOR NEW, REMODELED, OR RENOVATED STRUCTURES

  • Obtain relevant approvals from the Transylvania County Building Permitting, and Enforcement Department, and the Transylvania County Department of Public Health.
  • Various inspections by both the City and County are required throughout the construction process.
  • Prior to securing a Certificate of Occupancy and opening to customers, schedule a final inspection with the City Planning Department.

Permit Application Forms

additions & remodels: use the zoning site plan form

  1. Change of Occupancy Permit
  2. Chicken Permit Application Packet (PDF)
  3. Demolition Permit Application (PDF)
  4. Elevation Certificate (PDF)
  5. Floodplain Development Permit Application (PDF)
  6. Minor Subdivision & Recombination Application (PDF)
  7. Public Art Application Form
  8. Public Art Maintenance Agreement
  9. Request for Map Amendment (Rezoning)
  10. Rezoning Conditional Application (PDF)
  1. Sidewalk Usage Application (PDF)
  2. Sign Permit Application (PDF)
  3. Special Event Permit Application (PDF)
  4. Special Use Permit Application (PDF)
  5. Temporary Use Permit (PDF)
  6. Text Amendment Application (PDF)
  7. Tree Permit Application (PDF)
  8. Variance Application (PDF)
  9. Zoning Site Plan Application (PDF)