> but “lighter” uses are always allowed in “heavier” zones.

As far as I know, this is true of the American zoning system, as well.

bobthepanda 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

One of the major differences with the American system is that the Japanese government only has twelve types of zones that local governments are allowed to use. https://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.htm...

American zoning codes get really complicated really fast, particularly around what businesses are considered low-nuisance in what neighborhood. Especially the moment people start getting worried about parking. Particularly home businesses, like daycare, hair salons, even the humble lemonade stand can all be zoned down to a single hair.

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daemonologist 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

In the US you can usually build "lighter" within a category, up to a point, but not across categories (e.g. you could build a single family home in a high density residential zone, but not in a commercial zone).

I'm not sure how that compares to Japan's system, but from GP's comment it sounds like you can cross categories there.

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Aeolun 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Japan’s system is more about what would disrupt QoL around it. If you want to open a small bakery in the middle of a residential neighborhood you can do so. Not really economically viable, but some people run these things out of just the front room of their house.

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bestouff 3 days ago | parent [-]

Why wouldn't it be economically viable ? It's been done like this for centuries in France.

	▲	Aeolun 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Most people buy around the stations. It’s not theoretically impossible, I just don’t get the idea that these places are exceptionally profitable.

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joshvm 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

It depends on your local law. Where I live, we have mixed use, office residential, general office and warehousing. All broadly allow home building of various types. Going the other way, the rules are quite detailed as to what sort of commercial operations you could start from a residential property in those zones, subject to superseding HoA restrictions.

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BenFranklin100 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It’s not. US zoning often strictly regulates usage.

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db48x 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

This is almost never true in practice in the US.