Board members are private citizens and do not receive compensation for their service. The Planning Board makes recommendations on land use ordinances to the Commissioners, including, but not limited to, the Buncombe County Land Development and Subdivision Ordinance and the Buncombe County Zoning Ordinance.
Applications for major subdivisions (subdivisions consisting of 11 lots or more), rezoning requests, and text changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are heard before the Planning Board. The Board makes recommendations to the Commissioners for re-zonings and ordinance text changes. They are also the sole reviewing authority for major subdivisions.