living in your business

[mmonroe]

If I open a place of business, can I live in it as well?

I know of two places in the metro where the owners have also taken up residency at their place of business. One is an appliance store, the other is an insurance dealer.

My question, what kind of zoning laws and just general information do I need to know in placing a sleeping quarters in the back of a business to live out of. No since in paying rent at two places.

My concerns are insurance and leasing issues.

[LakeEffect]

If I open a place of business, can I live in it as well?

I know of two places in the metro where the owners have also taken up residency at their place of business. One is an appliance store, the other is an insurance dealer.

My question, what kind of zoning laws and just general information do I need to know in placing a sleeping quarters in the back of a business to live out of. No since in paying rent at two places.

My concerns are insurance and leasing issues.

You might be best off by calling the City tomorrow - Planning Dept. Zoning Office would be best to start - 297-2623. Generally, it depends on where you plan on doing business. You can live in a commercial area, but you can't generally operate a customer-visiting business in a residential area.

[mmonroe]

Well, I want to open an establishment that there will be smoking and beer. My business partner wants to live and have a studio on the back side of it....

[Steve]

Cafe, wouldn't it be correct to say that downtown area zoning is friendlier to this sort of mixed-use?

[LakeEffect]

Cafe, wouldn't it be correct to say that downtown area zoning is friendlier to this sort of mixed-use?

Definitely - but the serving of alcohol might change things up - definitely should call the Zoning Division to inquire.

[easternobserver]

In a normal commercial district, a variance is generally needed in order to have a dwelling within or attached to a business (or on a commerical lot, period). In a mixed use zoning district or a Planned Unit Development, special rules are sometimes put in place to encourage a different type of growth.

[kevinpate]

just a somewhat wistful ponder. Is it actual dwelling space you need, or is it space devoted to work hygiene and recreational breaks for the on site security personnel.

I don't know the answer, or if it even results in a different answer, but it might just be a ponder worth pondering until you do know the answer.

[mmonroe]

kevin, really?