Industrial area   (code GI)    Industrial areas are intended exclusively to accommodate industrial and commercial operations, and in particular such operations that are not permitted in other development zones on account of their seriously disruptive character (i.e. a high level of noise, air and water pollution, traffic frequency etc.) Permitted operations include all types of industry, warehouses, storage depots, public enterprises, and filling stations.
(According to §9 of the German Land Utilisation Ordinance or BauNVO)

Commercial area   (code GE)    Commercial areas are intended predominantly to accommodate industrial and commercial operations that are not seriously disruptive in character (i.e. a low level of noise, air and water pollution, traffic frequency etc.) Permitted operations include all types of industry, warehouses, storage depots, public enterprises, business, office and administrative premises, filling stations, and sporting facilities.
(According to §8 of the German Land Utilisation Ordinance or BauNVO)

Mixed area   (code MI)    Mixed-use areas are intended to provide space for housing and to accommodate businesses that do not exert any essentially disruptive effect on the residential function. Permitted operations include business and office premises, retail trading, public houses and restaurant facilities, hotels and accommodation, other types of commercial enterprise, sites for administrative, religious, cultural, social, health and sporting purposes, horticultural enterprises, filling stations, and entertainment facilities.
(According to §6 of the German Land Utilisation Ordinance or BauNVO)

Special area   (code SO)    Special areas for commercial use are designated as those areas that differ essentially from the other areas. The following areas fall into this category:
  • areas of tourism
  • shopping areas
  • shopping centres
  • areas for shopping centres and large-scale commercial operations
  • trade fair, exhibition and congress areas
  • university areas
  • hospital areas
  • dockland areas
  • areas for installations for the research, development or use of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power
(According to §11 of the German Land Utilisation Ordinance or BauNVO)

Other area    Other areas that can under some circumstances serve to accommodate commercial enterprises are
  • village areas
  • core areas
  • general residential areas
  • special residential areas
(According to §4, 4a, 5 and 7 of the German Land Utilisation Ordinance or BauNVO)