The work uses permitted in a live/work space or a live/work building vary widely, and can depend on a number of factors. Typically, a work use that, by itself (in a purely commercial space)-- would not be permitted in a given zone-- is not likely to be appropriate in a live/work space. The exception would be work uses typically compatible with a home environment, such as home office and many arts, crafts and artisan type uses. On the other hand, uses which are classified under the building code as "hazardous"-- including welding and a wood shop with more than 3 fixed appliances--may be permitted in a live/work project but would need to be separated from the living portion of the space. Most uses between these two extremes would seem appropriate. However, numerous cities have decided to remove certain kinds of work uses from consideration for live/work. Among these are: heavy industry and manufacturing facilities, (e.g. slaughterhouses and steel mills), auto body shops and the like, bars and restaurants, and institutional buildings such as schools, hospitals, police stations and planning departments. Assembly occupancies, while typically allowed in live/work buildings, must have independent exiting from the live/work units and be separated from them by a firewall.

It is important to note that while certain kinds of live/work spaces, i.e. live-near™ or (more so) live-nearby™ may appear to be indistinguishable from a mixed use building, from a zoning standpoint the fact that work spaces may be separated from the live portion by a floor, wall, corridor or courtyard, does not change the building's status as live/work, an inherently mixed use building type. Despite what is noted above, some locations may be appropriate for live/work and its hybrid nature even though the live use or the work use might not be permitted alone.