I have a client who's asking me to find them a home where it can be used as a business also. What kind of zoning allows for this?

Mixed use. Usage as a residence is usually regarded as less intense than Commercial or Industrial; so allowing simple living quarters in one of these Zones would usually not be a problem.

And Home Occupations are often permitted in Single Family or Two Family Residential Zones; others might allow them by Variance.

You'll have to define what kind of business? What traffic it'll generate and when; parking requirements; how much noise; stuff like that.

Then get yourself a Copy of the Zoning Bylaw(s) for the Communities that your people will consider and see which Zones will permit the kind of business they envision, and then you can consider what Listings are available in those areas which satisfy both their finances and their tastebuds.

Any idea what paremeters i can put in MLS to find such types of property?? It wouldn't be a noisy type of business.. i think something like a nail shop..

I've never understood these types of questions. Do you not have a broker or mentor? Noone here will be able to decently answer a question about your mls search unless you find someone that uses your mls.

You can't. Most agents don't know any more than you do with respect to zoning and use. Residential properties in mixed use zones are frequently listed as purely residential properties. The only way to know is to know the zones and the rules.

You need your local zoning maps and complete copies of the ordinances for each area you are looking. Study them, learn where the retail and mixed use zones are. Learn the rules. Become a zoning expert for your area.

Then scan the MLS, looking for properties in those zones. Does this sound like a lot of work? It is. After you've done it, you will be smarter and more effective. And you will have a much more complete knowledge of your market area.

And that can never hurt.

At nearly all the real estate companies I've worked at they have all had a big zoning map of the city or area. Might your office have the same thing? Or you can look up the city you are wondering about on the internet. I guarantee you there is a zoning section that will explain everything and possibly a map as well. Or like Merkaba as your broker or someone else in your office.