Maybe off topic but I've never really understood the 'zoning' laws.
-- What would happen if someone set up home in an office that they owned? The utilites (ESB etc) wouldn't care as long as they got paid. The Council probably wouldn't care as long as the rates were paid. Who'd notice? The only downside is that the Pizza companies probably wouldn't deliver!
-- If, say, a florist went bust in a particular location, why should another florist move in there? The omens are not good!