Others are extremely specific and allow only professions identified in the ordinance, such as medical doctors, dentists, lawyer, accountants, photographers, etc. Commercial districts In commercially zoned areas, small manufacturers usually have more flexibility in the types of activities they conduct, particularly if they produce noise or odors that would be offensive to others in a residentially zoned location. Some cities have recognized the hardships zoning ordinances create for artists and craftspeople. While these laws solve the immediate problem of artists and craftspeople living and working in the same location, they sometimes have unforeseen negative results. Once it became possible for artists to live and work in the Soho district of New York City, for example, the area became a magnet for galleries, boutiques, restaurants and tourists.
Many artists remain, but skyrocketing rents and prices forced many others out.
Before Soho became fashionable, no new industry could be enticed into the area. Consequently, landlords were pleased to have artists leasing their commercial properties. Once development caught on, however, buildings changed hands more often and artists and craftspeople who had invested substantial sums in their lofts found that their commercial leases afforded them little protection. Additional regulations that can adversely affect those who want to work at home are federal laws that inhibit cottage industries. The regulation was originally enacted after the Department of Labor found that minimum-wage violations were widespread in industries in which working at home predominated.