Business Licensing & Operations in Asheville, NC (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Asheville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Asheville confines adult establishments to the Regional Business, Commercial Industrial, and Highway Business zoning districts and requires a 1,000-foot buffer from residential zones, other adult establishments, churches, schools, libraries, child care centers, and public parks or playgrounds.
Asheville Adult Establishment Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsAsheville Code of Ordinances § 7-16-2(b)(8)
1. No lot containing an adult establishment shall be located within a 1,000 foot radius of any lot containing another adult establishment. 2. No lot containing an adult establishment shall be located within a 1,000 foot radius of any residential zoning district. Provided, however, the establishment of a residential zone subsequent to the lawful commencement of an adult establishment will no...
Secondhand Dealers
Every junk dealer in Asheville, meaning anyone buying or selling junk, scrap metal, or similar secondhand items, must keep an open register of every seller's name and address under City Code § 10-60, and cannot buy from a minor without written parental consent under § 10-61.
Asheville Junk Dealer Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code §§ 10-57, 10-60, 10-61
Junk dealer means and includes every person within the city engaged in buying or selling junk, old lead, brass or other metal or any article usually found in junk shops. ... Sec. 10-60. Register of dealers' purchases and sales. Every junk dealer shall keep a register of the name and residence of every party from whom junk or any other article mentioned in section 10-57 is purchased or received ...
Pawnbrokers
Asheville requires every pawnbroker to hold a city license before operating, on top of the standard privilege license. Applicants must pass a ten-year felony background check, post a $5,000 surety bond, and cap interest at 2% per month.
Asheville Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsAsheville City Code §§ 9-221, 9-204
It is unlawful for any person to establish or conduct a business of pawnbroker unless such a person has procured a license to conduct business in compliance with the requirements of this article. The license required by this article is in addition to the privilege license required in this chapter. No pawnbroker shall demand or receive an effective rate of interest greater than two percent per m...
Towing Companies
Tow and booting companies working private lots in Asheville's Central Business, Biltmore Historic, River Arts, and Haywood Road Districts, or any pay lot citywide, must post advance warning signage and follow strict release rules before hooking a car under City Code § 11-18.
Asheville Non-Consent Towing Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 11-18
(c) Advance notice of trespass towing and booting required. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to authorize, direct, engage in, or contract for trespass towing or the booting or immobilization of a trespass vehicle, by the use of a wheel lock or other method, unless advance notice is provided and posted on the private property from which the towing, removal, or immobilization is ...
Looking for Buncombe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Asheville city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Buncombe County →