As our community continues to recover and rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Buncombe County continues to look for ways to help survivors of the storm. Starting on June 1, the Reduce to Rebuild Program will help with the planning and permitting process for survivors that are repairing or rebuilding their homes damaged by Hurricane Helene by offering a 50% reduction in the cost of associated fees. “We are excited that Commissioners approved a permit fee reduction for individuals that sustained damage from Helene,” says Permits & Inspections Director Bob Haynes. “By doing so, we are hoping those that have not yet obtained permits for repair or rebuild will do so before the end of the year and before work has started. And we encourage those that currently have work in progress, verify the contractor obtained a permit, and verify the contractors are properly licensed.”
The goal of the program is to help survivors rebuild and repair their homes that were damaged by Helene by reducing a cost factor the County controls. The Reduce to Rebuild program runs through Dec. 31, 2025, and eligible homes will get a reduction of 50% of certain planning and inspection fees.
Eligibility requirements – Fee reductions are only for Helene-impacted primary residences
- A primary residence is defined as the dwelling where occupier:
- Is registered to vote
- Uses the address on federal and state tax returns
- Has the address listed on a driver’s license, car registration, or other government documents
- Has the address on file with the U.S Postal Service
- Helene impacted residences are those residential dwellings within the boundaries of Buncombe County that have been documented by a Buncombe County or Federal Emergency Disaster Agency Damage Assessment with a rating of Destroyed, Major, Moderate, or Minor
- This reduction shall pertain to permits applied for between June 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. It does not apply to expansions of a residence or fees relating to Homeowner recovery and lien agents.
Departmental fee reductions range from Planning, Permits & Inspections, Air Quality, and Onsite/Waste Water. Fees discounts will apply to:
- Residential Additions/Renovations
- Retaining Wall Planning
- Retaining Wall
- Water Supply Watershed
- Demolition and Renovation Permit Review
- Renovation
- Residential Friable/Nonfriable Onsite/WW
- Existing System Inspection
- Additional services
If you would like more information about the Reduce to Rebuild lowered fee structures, check to see if you are eligible, and more – contact the County’s Permits & Inspections Department.