IS Living on a commercial property LEGAL?

[doran]

Im just asking because if you watch the TV show psych

the main character Shawn was living in a old dry cleaning business in one episode and Im just wondering is that legal living on a commercial property in real life

like lets say you buy an old dry cleaners or lease it or like an old state farm office or something like that can you live there and what would you have to do to make it livable under the law

[hanan]

No. Building codes and zoning determine a property's legal use. Even if zoning allowed residential use, extensive changes may be required make a commercial space a legal residential space. It depends on your local building codes, but legal residential units often require bathroom with shower or tub, kitchen with sink separate from bathroom, egress window in the sleeping area, smoke/CO detectors, etc.

Also the landlord would have to agree. Often landlords renting out a commercial space want to maintain a professional appearance for the entire building. If the building wasn't designed for mixed use, it may be difficult to maintain a professional image if tenants are also camped out inside their unit.

[lundie]

No, it is not legal. Even "making it livable" would not make it legal. The building has to be rezoned residential.

[aingeni]

There are laws for private and commercial use , you would have to get a legal adviser to look them up for you.