What is a live/work unit? I haven't found a definition of what a "unit" is. A unit could be the entire building consisting of the apartment and the business, or each individual "sleeping unit/business" could be a unit.
When I first saw this section, I thought that someone decided that the code should start to acknowledge home occupations. But this code section doesn't say anything to require a business operator to live at the sleeping unit.
So, was this put in to encourage mixed use, renting out to a small business on the first floor with an apartment or two above?
Or neither, just a way to encourage more mom and pop businesses to install a sprinkler system?
Perhaps this section was added to help plans reviewers who couldn't figure out which use group to put these into after code enforcement reported that they found five mattresses and a hot plate in the back of the shop.
Well, IBC does refer to the business being operated by a tenant. So much for home occupation, if you own your house. Code only allows a tenant.
IBC 2009 419.5
419.1 General.
A live/work unit is a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in which a significant portion of the space includes a nonresidential use that is operated by the tenant and shall comply with Sections 419.1 through 419.8.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
SLEEPING UNIT. A room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.
When I first saw this section, I thought that someone decided that the code should start to acknowledge home occupations. But this code section doesn't say anything to require a business operator to live at the sleeping unit.
So, was this put in to encourage mixed use, renting out to a small business on the first floor with an apartment or two above?
Or neither, just a way to encourage more mom and pop businesses to install a sprinkler system?
Perhaps this section was added to help plans reviewers who couldn't figure out which use group to put these into after code enforcement reported that they found five mattresses and a hot plate in the back of the shop.
Well, IBC does refer to the business being operated by a tenant. So much for home occupation, if you own your house. Code only allows a tenant.
IBC 2009 419.5
419.1 General.
A live/work unit is a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in which a significant portion of the space includes a nonresidential use that is operated by the tenant and shall comply with Sections 419.1 through 419.8.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
SLEEPING UNIT. A room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.