Live-Work Units

• Author: Tyler Adams
• Pages: 23-26

Part I: Remove Code Barriers 23

LIVE -WO RK UNITS

Tyler Adams (author)

Jonathan Rosenbloom & Christopher Duerksen (editors)

INTRODUCTION

Live-Work Units (LWUs) are properties that combine residential and non-

residential uses in either commercial or residentially zoned areas. LWUs are

usually restricted i n that they require the owner of the business to also reside

in the property or vice versa.1 LWUs were once popu lar pre-industriali sm,

but with advances in transpor tation, technology, and strict zoning codes th at

separated uses (also known as “Euclidean zoning”) they almost petered out

of existence by the 1950s.2 ey have since gained increasing popularit y with

the recent turn toward reducing carbon emissions and a desire for greater

wor k e xi bilit y.3

Local governments may separate LWUs into three use t ypes relating to the

dominance of the non-residential activity: live/work, work/live, and home

occupation.4 Many jurisd ictions use the term home occupation to describe a

property that is primarily used as a residence, with work being an accessor y

funct ion.5 e ordinances regulating these units typically restrict the work

portion to small-scale activ ities and limit the numbers of employees or client

visits.6 Live/work units are similar to home occupations in that t heir primary

use is that of a residence, but the regulations are not as rest rictive. Working is

permitted but is secondary to the residential component and the need to pre-

serve the neighbor’s expectations of quiet enjoyment.7 In work/live units, the

non-residential activity takes precedent over the residential activity.8 Some

local governments do not distinguish between live/work and work/live units

and others incorporate two or three of the dierent types.

EFFECTS

Zoning ordinances and strict regulations often serve as ba rriers to LWUs

and the numerous benets they provide to citizens and local governments.

Because of their mixed residential and non-residential nature, local govern-

ments often characterize LWUs as commercial buildings for purposes of