What's the best way to meet my multi-use needs?
Hey r/CommercialRealEstate, I'll be extremely appreciative if you can help me with this. I am in a position where I need a few different things from a real estate purchase or lease and I want to find the best way to combine those needs into a single property. I know this can be extremely difficult with zoning laws, but I don't know much about it and would love input. 

Here are my upcoming needs: 

- I'm currently working on a startup that will require space for assembly and distribution, as well as some minor office space and a commercial kitchen for testing. Could also use the assembly space as an open office style set up. 
- I am moving and will need a new apartment or house
- I enjoy making art, industrial design, and prototyping. Space for tools and machinery would be helpful, plus could factor into my future product developments.

To me, the ideal set-up would be a warehouse with some attached office space or open office concept, loft for my living space, and plenty of space for assembly or easily configured to whatever I need. It may also serve as a "makerspace" if I find folks in the community that would be interested in using the tools and space for their own projects.  

I understand that zoning can make this difficult, but I don't know much beyond that. Is this kind of property feasible? Any advice on making it happen or how to approach it? My other research has just brought up the zoning issue over and over again. 

Thanks in advance for your advice. 
[{"id": "cz94ofq", "text": "Move to the country. Plenty of spreads with a big metal barn/structure and an old farmhouse nearby that would meet your needs.  Zoning isn't an issue when you live on county land.", "replies": [{"id": "cz959sl", "text": "I've thought about this. But due to the business component and the desire to make it a quasi-community center - or at least available for friends to come use - makes me lean towards keeping it as far within the city as possible.\n\nBut I may very well have to take off to the country. Thanks for the idea.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cz9bv7v", "text": "Where exactly are you moving to? A property that has everything you want might not be feasible without changing the zoning. I think you can get the warehouse/office space pretty easily but also having a living space in there might be a no go. Call a couple brokers in the area you want to be in and see if they have anything like what your looking for available.", "replies": [{"id": "cz9c2m9", "text": "Yeah the residential part is what seems tricky. I know a lot of people do it illegally but for what I want it isn't worth the risk. \n\nI'd like to do this in Nashville. A few spots have mixed use zoning that seems to allow residential development as well as retail/office or very light industrial usage. That sounds pretty much perfect. Plus the areas are close to \"hip\" neighborhoods with thriving crafts, art and music communities so there'd be room for collaboration. \n\nSo I guess a question is: if a place is zoned for residential/commercial development, does that give me permission to use that space for the commercial side while also living there, or do the parts of the building have to be segmented specifically for that? \n\nI'm sure each place has different requirements, but I thought that might be a general enough issue.\n\n", "replies": [{"id": "czba68j", "text": "There are a few things that dictate what you can do on a property.  The first is zoning, which more or less tells you what you are allowed to build or use a building for theoretically.  It more or less says in this area you may do x provided you have parking etc etc.\n\nThe second is the actual building code which dictates how construction must be done for these uses.  When a building is constructed or a use of a structure is changed,  you generally must have an architect draw up plans that show how each area of different use complies with the building code, and that the structure as an entirety complies (fire proofing between uses etc ).  Then you build to those plans and the city or whoever gives you a Certificate of occupancy that states you can use that space for that purpose.  \n\nSo you will need to look at both zoning and the physical properties.  Just say for example you buy a house in a mixed use district that allows movie theatres.   You want to put one in.  You can do that for sure, but only after you do a very expensive rehab project that is probably going to involve sprinklers,  tons of bathrooms etc.  \n\nTldr look at zoning first.  This will let you figure out where to look.  Then look for properties that are already setup for your uses.  If they are not, be aware you will be responsible to make the appropriate construction changes to bring them to code for those uses.", "replies": [{"id": "czbm1qx", "text": "Awesome. Thank you so much for this information!\n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]