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| types and zones | choose the type for you | live/work matrix | differences |
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Differences between Live/Work and Work/Live
Types of Work |
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| Type of Work Being Done | Work activities in live/work are intended to be those that are compatible with residential occupancies and fall in the B Occupancy classification which is the "business" (primarily office) type. Manufacturing type uses such as fabrication and materials handling facilities are not permitted in live/work. There are certain other B Occupancy activities which are not permitted in live/work, such as restaurants, bars, kennels, car washes, medical offices and police and fire stations. | Work activities in work/liveare intended to be the dominant pursuit of the occupants, whether
they be the residents-- or in some cases employees and customers.
Work uses include all B Occupancy activities permitted in live/work,
and ADDITIONALLY all activities permitted in F-1 and F-2 Occupancies,
which includes moderate and low hazard assembly, fabricating,
manufacturing, repair or processing operations--basically anything
up to but not including Hazardous Occupancy. The same exceptions to the activities permitted under B Occupancy
(at left) are also prohibited in work/live. |
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| Employees | As the more residentially oriented type, employees are less likely to be present in live/work. However, subject to the work activities permitted in the applicable zone, live/workdoes permit employees subject to the accessibility requirements (in bold at right) this entails. The most likely location for live/workwith employees would be in a renovated building in a commercial zone. |
As the most likely category in which employees would be accommodated, work/live is encouraged in commercial or manufacturing zones. Any live/work or work/live which has employees or walk-in trade will need to be handicap accessible in any areas occupied or used by employees and customers. Find out more about accessibility issues here. |
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| Walk-In Trade |
Of the two types, live/work is less likely to accommodate walk-in trade due to the intensive impact of customers upon what is intended primarily (or partly) as a residence. One possibility: live-near; live/work with separated living and working spaces. The presence of walk-in trade triggers the accessibility requirements described in bold above. |
Walk-in, i.e retail trade is a commercial activity usually best suited to areas where consumers of commercial products concentrate. This is most likely to be in a commercial zone. Work/live is the most likely category into which walk-in trade would be accommodated. The predominantly commercial nature of this type makes it most appropriate for walk-in trade when it is desired. The presence of walk-in trade triggers the accessibility requirements described in bold above. |
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| Hazardous Materials | The levels of hazardous materials permitted in live/work are only slightly higher than those permitted in a residence. Close examination of the live/work code text and its Plain English accompaniment will further explain this distinction. | One of the primary purposes for creating a distinction between live/work and work/live was to accommodate different levels of hazardous and toxic materials used in their respective work processes. Work/live permits far greater levels of such materials and processes than live/work, and is a clearer choice for those who would accommodate a wide range of work types. |
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| Heavy Objects & Heavy Equipment | Work activities that are compatible with residential use tend not to employ heavy equipment or require storage or manipulation of heavy objects. Therefore the lesser floor loading requirements of live/work make if a more affordable choice for those who don't expect those heavier uses. | Work/live was conceived as a distinct type to accommodate heavier uses such as equipment, storage and heavy materials. Its higher floor loading requirements are a necessary response to that need. |
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| Noise | While the building code treats noise sources greater than 60 dB identically under the building code in live/work and work/live, the overall intent of the combined Zoning and Building regulations is that live/work be consistent with the "quiet enjoyment" rights of residents. Therefore greater noise generation is discouraged in live/work. | Work/live, being a predominantly work-oriented, more intense occupancy, is more likely to accommodate greater noise generation, mechanical, musical, or otherwise. That having been said, any source of noise 60 dB or greater abutting a residential portion of a neighboring space must attenuate that sound according to the Oakland Live/Work Building Code. |