City of Asheville expands flexibility for business use of sidewalks in addition to private lots

The City of Asheville is committed to advancing ways of using space to support economic recovery and community needs while prioritizing public health and safety, and recognizes the importance of being flexible and nimble as needs and priorities evolve.

In response to stakeholder input and public health guidance, the City is launching new initiatives to allow businesses and organizations to temporarily expand usage of outdoor spaces. 

On May 22, the City began accepting requests from businesses and organizations to temporarily use up to 50% of private parking lots, landscape areas and walkways for merchandise display and sale and dining, provided that temporary outdoor expansion guidelines for these spaces are followed. Requests that fall within the guidelines are not subject to a formal permit application process. Click here to visit the online temporary outdoor expansion request form for private parking lots, landscape areas and walkways.

Today, the City will begin accepting requests from businesses and organizations to temporarily use the public sidewalk directly adjacent to their storefront for merchandise display and outdoor dining, provided that the sidewalk maintains 6 feet of clear space for pedestrian passageway and temporary outdoor expansion guidelines for public sidewalks are followed. Businesses and organizations temporarily using adjacent public sidewalk areas will be required to maintain a continuous accessible route that meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 

Guidelines for using private parking lots, landscape areas and walkways are different from those for using public sidewalks; for this reason, applicants must apply to use private and public spaces through separate online request forms. Call the Planner of the Day hotline at 828-259-5450 if you are unsure whether the space you are interested in using is public or private. 

For more info and links https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of-asheville-expands-flexibility-for-business-use-of-sidewalks-in-addition-to-private-lots/