Business Licensing & Operations in Buncombe County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Adult establishments in unincorporated Buncombe County need a county business license, plus a separate license for every entertainer, before opening under Sec. 14-123. Sec. 14-124(d)(4) blocks a location within 500 feet of an existing residence or 1,000 feet of a school, church, library, licensed child care center, public park, playground, or another adult establishment.
Adult Establishment License and Spacing in Buncombe County
Significant RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 14-124(d)(4) (Reasons for disapproval, spacing requirement)
The proposed location of the adult establishment is within 500 feet of an existing residence other than that of the applicant or 1,000 feet of an existing school, church, library, licensed child care center, public recreation center, public park or playground, or other adult establishment or location for which an adult establishment license is currently in effect.
Massage Establishments
Masseurs, masseuses, and massage parlors or health salons in unincorporated Buncombe County need a license from the board of commissioners before opening. Sec. 14-79 limits operating hours to 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sec. 14-80 bars treating a patron of the opposite sex without a doctor's order, and Sec. 14-81 keeps out anyone under 18 without a physician's written referral.
Massage Establishment License Rules in Buncombe County
Significant RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 14-79 (Hours of operation, Massage Parlors and Health Salons)
No masseur or masseuse or any person or party engaging in any of the businesses licensed by this article shall engage in such business, trade, profession, occupation or calling except within and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; nor shall any operator of a massage parlor or establishment or business enumerated and not specifically excepted under this article, operate the same excep...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone operating a pawnshop in unincorporated Buncombe County pays a license fee that the board of commissioners sets "from time to time" rather than fixes in the code itself, per Sec. 14-51. The county tax collector's office administers the fee and the license application, using a form kept on file there.
Pawnbroker License Fee in Buncombe County
Significant RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 14-51 (License fee)
A license fee for the operation of pawnshop operations in the county is hereby established and shall be set from time to time. A schedule of such fee is on file and available in the county offices.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Buncombe County's zoning ordinance leaves motor vehicle maintenance and repair blank, meaning not permitted, in all four residential districts: R-LD, R-1, R-2 and R-3. Table 1 of Sec. 78-641 allows the use only as a special use in the Neighborhood Service district, or by right in commercial, employment, public service, conference/resort and airport industry districts. A homeowner cannot legally run an auto repair business from a residential lot.
Auto Repair Shops Banned From Homes in Buncombe County
Heavy RestrictionsBuncombe County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 78-641, Table 1 (Permitted Use Table)
Uses P = Permitted S = Allowed as Special Use SR = Permitted with Special Requirements Blank Space = Not Permitted Districts R-LD R-1 R-2 R-3 NS CS EMP PS CR AI BDM OU Motor vehicles maintenance and repair S P P P P P P
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