If I buy commercial real estate can I live in it?
What are the rules reddit? I expect it to depend on the county but I don't know. I live in [Dallas, TX](http://www.dallascounty.org/) if it matters.

Also just for clarification, what exactly makes commercial real estate commercial and not just real estate/housing etc?
[{"id": "c4506w2", "text": "Zoning.\n\nAnd with commercial real estate, will you be purchasing a store front, or warehouse or empty lot?\n\nOr are you thinking of converting it into a house?\n\nI'm guessing you \"could\" live in it... I mean, who would complain if you were the owner anyways?", "replies": [{"id": "c450a4y", "text": "A warehouse style space with HVAC and plumbing would be fantastic. I can partition space as needed but I would hope for high ceilings as well. I will make as big a [sound stage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_stage) as possible in about 2000 ft^2 and live in something around 500 ft^2. At least that is the simple version of my plan.", "replies": [{"id": "c450c2r", "text": "The plumbing would be the hardest part if you need to add a shower... as most warehouses don't have a shower.  The drainage for the shower would have to be figured out.\n\nIn one of those thoughts that I've had about living in a warehouse, I would just shower at the local \"24 Hour Fitness\" gym.\n\nBut if you are thinking long term, you might as well add a shower.\n\nAlso, depending on the area, you might want to keep your vehicle parked inside the warehouse, so you might need space for you car.", "replies": [{"id": "c450fo2", "text": "[Relevant](http://memegenerator.net/instance/17119683)", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c450vcr", "text": "It could be a mixed-use building where there's a ground-floor retail space and the upper level(s) are residential units. Commercial space is used for business; it could be a retail store, office, warehouse, restaurant, etcetera.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c475vvk", "text": "It is all about the zoning, and if that fails it is all about how good the municipality is at enforcing the zoning.\n\nYou could get away with living in a commercial property if you don't call attention to yourself.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c4wxfoz", "text": "Zoning laws can prohibit you from living in commercial space. Towns set zoning standards for any number of reasons, but very often to control development. I've known people who have lived in their commercial warehouse type buildings when the city prohibited it and they've stayed well under the radar so it's not a problem, but it would be if the city went after them, heavy fines to start. Also in many areas, different building types are taxed at different rates so a city or county could come after you for tax issues, but that's the long shot scary scenario.  \n\nDepending where the building is, you may be able to get a special exception or spot zoning or a variance to live in the space but it requires public hearings and zoning meetings and I'm not sure I'd recommend it.  As someone else mentioned a mixed use retail-apartment complex is the easiest way to go.  You could also look at properties with the broadest possible zoning. In Connecticut a certain zone code will allow for retail, retail service, non-profits and in home offices and even assembly which would be more of a warehouse type building.  If you were to look for a commercial property to live in, I'd suggest a former church, community center, YMCA building, fitness center, theater, lodge like the Elks or Masons, Veterans Hall, grange, basically a property whose use has passed it by.  Commercial real estate is most generally described as real estate designed to make a profit.  That's why anything larger than a four family house is commercial real estate.  ", "replies": [{"id": "c6ut4e8", "text": "It's pretty uncomfortable when you're showing a building and you realize the tenant is currently living out of the space. This lady in particular is on a month-to-month lease and is about to get the boot from the Landlord, but she is always there when I show the space and always puts in her two cents to try to scare away my prospective tenant so she can stay there longer. It can be sad though, some of these people are just in a rough spot after the recession and really got no choice but to live out of their business to stay above water.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]