EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION (EWP) PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE

Chimney Rock Village is working with the USDA-RCS to implement the EWP program. The watershed impairments that EWP can address are limited to those that create an emergency by impairing flows and threatening lives, public health or property. A site visit will be conducted to verify and document the damage.  For questions, call Penny Martinez at 828-289-5672. View form request.

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VEHICLE REPLACMENT PROGRAM

Working Wheels NC has launched two initiatives to assist Hurricane Helene victims with car replacment or repair. This is a certified nonprofit based out of Asheville.  If your car was totaled or damaged by the flood and you need help getting a new one (beyond what you may get from insurance or FEMA) please visit their website to learn more:  https://workingwheelswnc.org/hurricane-helene-relief-fund/

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SHORT-TERM RENTALS UPDATES FOR CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE

Notice: The Chimney Rock Village Council approved the ability of the Zoning Administrator and the Planning Board to begin taking applications to re-establish Conditional Use Permits for Short-term Rentals after March 1, 2025.  The revised application is now available. The fee is $100 until June 30, 2025. The fee will return to $300 on July 1, 2025. The updated application could be subject to further updates.

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• All short-term rentals of less than 30 days are required to have an approved Conditional Use Permit for Short-term Rentals. 

• Appropriate water and sewer/well and septic systems will have to be operational.

• Applicable and adequate onsite parking at the rental property must be available.

• An acceptable set of directions to and from the property are required.

• The property should have no unrepaired damage from TS Helene or any other structural deficiency.

• The structures must be located within all setbacks.

• If there are to be any updates, improvements or significant storm damage repairs, the Rutherford County Building Inspection Department must review and approve them.

• There will be a $100 fee to process the application.  ​

 

All such properties must be registered with the Rutherford County Department of Revenue, either directly or through VRBO, Airbnb or similar and all are required to pay Rutherford County Room Tax Fees. Please follow the website or Facebook.com/ChimneyRockVillageNC for additional release of information.

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LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE-RELATED MATTERS

Legal Aid of NC can provide survivors with information about their rights, answer questions about insurance and claims, advocate for people when they are applying for recovery fund assistance and appealing decisions, and assist with Benefits Appeals/ FEMA. Visit the Legal Aid of NC website or call the helpline at (866) 219-5262 for more information. Additional program information.

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SBA LOANS

​Small businesses and non-profits are eligible for up to $2M in economic injury loans. The deadline for economic injury loans is June 3, 2025. To learn more visit, SBA Loans.​

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BUILDING PERMITS UPDATE:

Chimney Rock Village coordinates all Building Permits with the Rutherford County Building Inspection Department. This includes Flood Zone Management. Any property owner, prior to contacting the County Inspection Department, should get a Zoning Approval Letter from Mr. Stephen Duncan, Zoning Administration for the Village. Send an email with your name, contact information, property address and the purpose of your construction directly to tevierides@aol.com. All fees are waived at this time for Zoning Reviews. Stephen will review and if there are any questions, will contact you directly. Once approved, Stephen will notify the Rutherford County Building Inspection Department of the approval and you will be ready to make application for appropriate Building Permits with that office.

 

Chimney Rock Village - Zoning Reviews:

Mr. Stephen G Duncan, Village Administration

tevierides@aol.com

 

For Building Permits or Specific Questions, including Flood Zone/Way Management:

Mr. Shane Dotson; Rutherford County Building Inspection Department

shane.dotson@rutherfordcountync.gov

Office: (828) 287-6036​​

 

PROCEDURE FOR REPAIRS TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE

- Call the Rutherford County Building Inspection Department at 828-287-6035.

- Apply for a Commercial Building Repair Permit.

- Available online at Rutherford County website:

https://www.rutherfordcountync.gov/.../apply_for_permits.php

- May have to complete and have notarized an Owner Exemption Affidavit.

Ruth Sams or Shane Dotson are available to assist you with obtaining this permit.

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PROPERTY OWNERS NOTICE

• No Permit Required for Demo/Basic Work: As property owners move forward, they do not need a Rutherford County Building Inspection Permit for demolition and basic work to protect the structural integrity of the building.

• Permit Required for Restoration/Renovation: When restoration and renovation begin, a Rutherford County Building Permit is required and all necessary inspections. These are required prior to electricity being restored. Please contact the Rutherford County Building Inspector Office at 828-287-6035

• Contractor Pass: Contractors working on behalf of Village property owners will be required to have a Pass, which is good from 7am – 7pm daily. Please contact Barbara Meliski at barmel@bellsouth.net to obtain a contractor pass. Each company will receive one pass for the contractor or supervisor and must accompany crews to the work site.​​​​

• ​FEMA deadline for applications is Nov. 27, 2024. Tips for applying.

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RELIEF FUND​

• A special Relief Fund was established by the Chimney Rock Village Council at their Council meeting on October 15, 2024 to raise funds and provide assistance for the immediate needs of the residents, citizens, businesses and property owners adversely affected by tropical storm Helene. The Village application for assistance is now available at the Village Fire Department and online.  Apply now for Helene Relief Funding.

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WATER NOTICE​

• The active community wells within Chimney Rock Village were analyzed for total coliform and e-coli on October 14, 2024. These test results showed no presence of bacteria. Therefore, the boil water advisory has been cancelled. Regular water system operations have resumed from the operational wells to include chlorination and water analysis as required by the State of North Carolina and Division of Environmental Quality. Please continue to perform water conservation.

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