Asheville · Buncombe County
Starting a business in Asheville: LLC filing, assumed names and local rules
Your company is formed once with the NC Secretary of State ($125). If you trade under a brand, record an assumed name with the Buncombe County Register of Deeds for $26. Asheville has no general business license, but short-term rental and homestay zoning is strict.
State filing
$125 (G.S. 57D)
Assumed name
$26, Buncombe County
Local license
None (zoning applies)
LLC annual report
$200, April 15
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Doing business in Asheville
Breweries, makers, outdoor outfitters and tourism businesses in the mountains, many rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.
Asheville has no general business license, but short-term rental and homestay zoning is strict. Confirm zoning before forming a rental-property LLC.
Official sourceRecording an assumed name in Buncombe County
Buncombe County Register of Deeds: 205 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Phone: 828-250-4302 (recording).
Buncombe records assumed business name certificates in its recording section at the standard $26 fee.
Official sourceSolve this in 5 minutes
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Step-by-step in Asheville
- File the LLC ($125).
- Record a studio or brewery brand at 205 College Street ($26).
- Register for NC sales tax for market and retail sales.
- Check zoning for rentals or production space.
The rental LLC that cannot rent
Forming an LLC does not change Asheville's short-term rental zoning. Check first.
Worked example: A River Arts District pottery studio
One certificate covers markets in other counties too.
Next year: the LLC annual report is $200 (plus $3 online) by April 15. We file it for $149 plus the state fee.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Starter package | $149 |
| NC Articles of Organization (state fee at cost) | $125 |
| Assumed name certificate, county recording fee | $26 |
| Known day-one total | $300 |
Doing it yourself vs. having us file
| Task | On your own | With Corp USA |
|---|---|---|
| Name check and Articles | You, with the Business Registration Division | We prepare and file the same day |
| Registered agent | Your address goes public | Our NC address, $199/yr |
| Assumed name | You, at the county | $149 + $26 |
| April 15 annual report | You | We track and file |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need sales tax registration for craft fairs?
Generally yes, with the NC Department of Revenue.
SourceReady when you are
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.