Commercial zoning usually has several categories and is dependant upon the business use of the property and often the number of patrons. Office buildings, shopping centers, nightclubs, hotels, certain warehouses, some apartment complexes, as well as vacant land that has the potential for development into these types of buildings can all be zoned commercial. Almost any kind of real estate except single-family home and single-family lots can be regarded as commercial real estate.

The availability of parking may affect the type of commercial zoning that is permitted. Additionally, there can be rules regarding the proximity of certain types of businesses to others. Many zoning laws prohibit or restrict adult entertainment establishments to a certain geographical area. Others bar such establishments within a certain distance of existing schools or churches.