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1. Where is City Hall?

City Hall is located at 95 West Main Street in downtown Brevard, on the same block as the CoEd Theatre and Harris Ace Hardware. There are two entrances: the one closer to Ace Hardware is used to access the public restrooms, City Council Chambers, and the Planning & Zoning Department (via the elevator), and the one closer to the post office is used to access the Administration Department, the Administrative Conference Room, and the Water Department's payment window.

2. What is my property zoned?

You can look up the zoning of a piece of property by using the Transylvania County WebGIS. Simply search for the parcel by PIN, owner name, or by zooming and panning around the map. Click the parcel to bring up the Details window, scroll to the bottom to the see Brevard Zoning detail. If you have trouble or have questions about the specifics of the zoning district, you can call the Planning Department at 828-885-5630.

3. What is the ETJ?

ETJ stands for "Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction" and is an area outside the City's corporate limits in which the City can exercise land use and zoning regulations. Statewide authority for municipal extraterritorial land use regulation was granted by the State Legislature in 1959. The maximum size of a city’s ETJ area is determined by its population. Brevard's extraterritorial area may extend up to one mile from the city limits since its population is less than 10,000, however it does not have to extend the full mile.

For more information, you can read the legal summary "Extraterritorial Jurisdiction for Planning and Development Regulation" from the UNC School of Government.

4. Can I temporarily close a street or parking space?

The City grants temporary closures of streets, on-street parking spaces, and sidewalks for a variety of things. Examples include a downtown business doing renovations needs to place a dumpster in a parallel parking space and the Memorial Day Parade. Any closure of a public area, such as the greenway, sidewalks, on-street parking spaces, and public streets, requires a permit from the City. There are also fees for these closures, which depend on what is closed and for how long. A permit application must be received by the City Planning Department at least 45 days in advance of the requested closure to allow for coordination between City departments and, if necessary, the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Call the Planning Department for more information or to request a permit application at 828-885-5630.

5. How do I get a business license?

Effective July 1, 2015, privilege (business) licenses are no longer issued by the City of Brevard with the exception of a taxi business and a business that sells beer and/or wine. To obtain a license for a taxi business or for the sale of beer and/or wine, contact the City Clerk's Office at 828-885-5614.

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1. Do I need a permit?

Permits are required for a variety of activities within the City of Brevard, these include:

• New businesses locating to Brevard
• Existing businesses relocating to a new location
• Existing businesses undergoing physical expansion within the same location
• Remodeling, renovation, physical alteration, or demolition of an existing structure
• Floodplain development
• Subdivision plat review
• Placement of any signage (new or replacing existing)
• Community banners
• Special events
• Temporary or mobile vendors
• The closure of any street or sidewalk
• Non-residential tree removal

2. I am opening a business in Brevard, what do I need to do?

The type and location of your business can greatly change the answers to this question. Typical requirements include a zoning site plan application, a site plan drawing, sign permits, impact fees (if applicable), permit fees, and a privilege license (granted by the City Clerk). As always, you may call with any questions at 828-885-5630. Opening a Business in Brevard Brochure

3. What are the fees for applications, permits, violations, and services?

All fees are charged in accordance with the city's Schedule of Taxes, Fess and Charges. To view the latest fees use the above navigation and go to How Do I... > View > Fee Schedule. You may always call for specific fee information.

4. What is this property zoned?

You can look up the zoning of any property by using the Transylvania County online geographic information system.

5. What can I do with a piece of property?

The Unified Development Ordinance Section 2.2: Use categories and tables of permitted uses details what land uses are permitted by right, with standards, by special use permit for all zoning districts. Click here to view the use matrix.

6. What is the ETJ? Am I in it? What does it mean?

ETJ stands for "extra-territorial jurisdiction" which is the ability for the city to make certain decisions regarding the land beyond the town's incorporated limits. The extent of this authority depends on the size of the city; Brevard's ETJ may extend up to one mile beyond the corporate limits. This is granted by the North Carolina General Statutes § 160A-360.

The City of Brevard enforces zoning and development regulations in the ETJ, but does not collect taxes. The ETJ is represented on both the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

If you have questions if a property is within the ETJ, see the Zoning Map in the Planning Library, or call the Planning Department at 828-885-5630. More Information from the UNC School of Government

7. I've seen construction at a certain address, what's being built?

For major construction and development projects, you can call the Planning Department at 828-885-5630 for basic information about what is being built. Keep in mind that construction for site preparation can begin before project specifics, such as tenants, have been determined.

8. What are the required setbacks for my property?

The Unified Development Ordinance Section 2.3: Density and dimensional requirements details front, side and rear setbacks for principal and accessory structures in all zoning districts. Click here to view dimensional requirements.

9. Can I get a copy of the Zoning Map, UDO, Comprehensive Plan, etc.?

Yes! Most documents, plans and maps are available digitally in the Planning Document Library. Hard copies can be purchased at the Planning Department. Prices vary by size and number of pages, please call 828-885-5630 for an exact price.

10. Can I host a race on Bracken?

Yes, Bracken Preserve can be used for special events such as races. You will need to permit your special event through the Planning Department, during which you will coordinate an emergency action plan with Brevard Fire Department. Call 828-885-5630 to schedule an appointment to discuss your event with a planner.

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1. How do I recognize counterfeit money?

There are several ways money is counterfeited. One way is to photocopy money onto some type of unusual paper. Another way is to "wash" or bleach a regular bill and print a higher denomination onto the real bill.

Please visit our Counterfeit Money page for more information.

2. How can I report child abuse?

Call your local police department or social services department.

3. What can I do about annoying or threatening phone calls?

If you become a victim of annoying phone calls, you should report them to the Brevard Police Department. Comporium or your cell phone company may be able to assist in tracking the origin of the calls if they have a police report number. If you become a victim of threatening phone calls, report them to the Brevard Police Department immediately. Law enforcement takes threatening calls seriously, and so should you, especially if you are in a battering relationship or have been the victim of domestic violence. The general number to report criminal acts is 828-883-2212. If it is an emergency, please dial "911" and it will be routed to the Brevard Police Department.

4. How can I obtain a restraining order?

You can request a restraining order against a person who hurt or threatened you, or other family members, by appearing at the Superior Court. A restraining order may be requested whether or not an arrest has been made or the police have been called.

A Domestic Violence Restraining Order is always free. In many courts, free legal assistance is available or you can represent yourself.

Emergency Protection Orders are available through the Police Department on a 24 hour basis, and are valid for only 5 court days.

Request A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) At The Superior Court.
Your TRO should be granted the same or next day. Serve the defendant with a copy of the TRO. (Anyone over 18 years of age, except you, can hand the order to the defendant.) Deliver a copy of the TRO, Proof of Service, and Law Enforcement Information form to your local police station. Retain the originals of all documents. You must return to court in approximately 3 weeks to obtain an order that is valid for 3 years. This order must also be served to the defendant and copies delivered to the police station.

You can be ordered to see a mediator to try to work out visitation of any minor children involved. The law gives you the right to see the mediator alone, in a separate meeting. After any agreement with the mediator regarding visitation, be sure to return to court to obtain the 3 year restraining order which protects you!

5. How can I report elder abuse?

Elder and dependent adult abuse is a serious issue. Coupled with the increasing numbers of reports of such abuse, has made it vital to raise awareness within the community.

"Elder physical abuse" is defined as a situation where any person who has the care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust with an elder, willfully inflicts upon that elder any cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or injury. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, direct beatings, sexual assault, unreasonable physical constraint, or prolonged deprivation of food or water.

Any elder or dependent adult care custodian, health practitioner, or employee of a county adult protective services agency or a local law enforcement agency is a mandated reporter.

Any person who is not a mandated reporter under WIC Section 15630, who knows, or reasonably suspects, that an elder or a dependent adult has been the victim of abuse, may report that abuse to a long-term care ombudsman program or local law enforcement agency when the abuse is alleged to have occurred in a long-term care facility. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15631(A).

Any person who is not a mandated reporter under WIC Section 15630, who knows, or reasonably suspects, that an elder or a dependent adult has been the victim of abuse in any place other than a long-term care facility may report the abuse to the county Adult Protective Services (APS) agency or local law enforcement agency. Welfare and Institution Code Section 15631(B).

6. I live in Brevard. Who do I call if I am having problems with a dog or cat in my neighborhood?

The city used to contract for animal services with the county. As of July 1st, 2011, the Brevard Police Department began to respond to animal calls within the city limits. This arrangement allows the County Animal Services staff to run the animal shelter and concentrate on calls in the unincorporated areas of the county while the Brevard Police Department blends the animal calls into our regular patrol officer’s daily calls for service. The telephone number to call is still the non-emergency phone number at the Brevard Communications Center, 828-883-2212. If the call is urgent, dialing “911” will still be the best way to receive an officer.

7. I see a speed sign trailer around town parked on the side of the road. The sign registers the speed of my vehicle as I drive by. What is its purpose? Could I have it placed in my neighborhood?

When the Brevard Police Department receives a speeding complaint, we will send officers to run radar, place the speed sign trailer in that location, or conduct a vehicle speed survey with equipment we have acquired over the years. There are 2 objectives: The first is to find out if there is, in fact, a speeding problem. The second is to reduce speeds to a safe level if necessary. You may request the Brevard Police Department check your neighborhood for these issues by calling our main number at 828-883-2212. We will come to your location as soon as we are able to check your neighborhood.

8. In the downtown area there are spaces that seem ideal for parking, but are not marked with brackets like the other spaces. Is it okay for me to park here?

The answer is “no”. The downtown area has been carefully measured and marked for all appropriate parking spaces on Main Street and the surrounding streets. There are some emergency loading and unloading spaces that are marked as such, and there are other Fire Only lanes for the Fire Department. Any other spaces that are not marked are either too close to fire hydrants, intersections, driveways, or crosswalks. There are new “Public Parking” signs in the downtown area that do an excellent job of directing the public to open parking spaces.