Commercial properties are typically categorized into different use classes to help define their intended purpose and use. The specific use class system can vary by location, and it's essential to check with your local planning authority for the most accurate and up-to-date information. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) defines various use classes for commercial properties. Here's a general list of use class orders for commercial properties in the UK as of my last knowledge update in January 2022:
- Use Class A1: Shops - includes retail shops, post offices, hairdressers, travel agencies, and other similar uses.
- Use Class A2: Financial and Professional Services - includes banks, building societies, estate agents, and professional services (e.g., accountants, solicitors).
- Use Class A3: Restaurants and Cafes - includes the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises.
- Use Class A4: Drinking Establishments - includes pubs, bars, and other venues for the sale and consumption of alcohol.
- Use Class A5: Hot Food Takeaways - includes the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises.
- Use Class B1: Business - includes offices, research and development facilities, and light industrial uses that do not create pollution or nuisance.
- Use Class B2: General Industrial - includes industrial processes that may create some environmental or nuisance impact.
- Use Class B8: Storage and Distribution - includes storage and distribution centers, warehouses, and similar facilities.
- Use Class C1: Hotels - includes hotels, boarding houses, and guest houses.
- Use Class C2: Residential Institutions - includes hospitals, care homes, and secure residential accommodation.
- Use Class C2A: Secure Residential Institutions - includes secure hospitals and secure training centers.
- Use Class C3: Dwellinghouses - includes residential properties for single families or up to six unrelated individuals sharing.
- Use Class C4: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) - includes small shared houses and flats occupied by three to six unrelated individuals.
- Use Class D1: Non-Residential Institutions - includes places of worship, health centers, nurseries, and other non-residential institutions.
- Use Class D2: Assembly and Leisure - includes cinemas, concert halls, gyms, and other leisure facilities.
Please note that the specific use classes and their definitions can vary from country to country and may also be subject to local variations and regulations. Additionally, use classes and zoning regulations may change over time, so it's crucial to check with local authorities or planning departments for the most up-to-date information and to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations for your commercial property.
