Buncombe County Reduces Permitting Fees For Helene Recovery

The Buncombe County Commission announced plans to continue reduced permitting fees for residents recovering from Hurricane Helene through Reduce to Rebuild Program. 

“We know our community has been through a lot and helping people get back into their homes is a big deal for our team,” said Permits & Inspections Director Jason Rogers. “Reducing permitting and planning fees to support rebuilding is good news. We have processed around 400 permits through the Reduce to Rebuild program.” 

With the approval of the FY2027 budget, this program is extended through June 30, 2027. 

Details on the program:  

Buncombe County provides a 100 percent reduction on planning and permitting fees for residents who are repairing or rebuilding homes damaged by Helene. The program helps storm survivors by lowering County-controlled costs during recovery. 

The waived fees apply only to primary residences that sustained damage from Helene. A primary residence is a dwelling where the occupant is registered to vote, uses the address on federal and state tax filings, lists the address on a driver’s license or vehicle registration, or maintains the address with the U.S. Postal Service. 

Eligible homes must be within Buncombe County and documented as destroyed, major, moderate, or minor damage through a County or Federal Emergency Disaster Agency assessment. The reduction does not apply to home expansions or to fees related to homeowner recovery or lien agents. 

Multiple departments apply the reduced fees, including Planning, Permits & Inspections, Air Quality, and Onsite/Wastewater Services. Covered permits include residential additions and renovations, retaining walls, water supply watershed permits, demolition and renovation reviews, and existing system inspections. 

Residents can contact Buncombe County Permits & Inspections at 828-250-5360 for eligibility information or additional program details, visit the customer service representative at the Buncombe County Government Services Building, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, or go to www.buncombenc.gov/permits.