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Forum Categories BOMA 2021 - Mixed Use Properties Question

Clarification on Loading Bay/Dock Classification in Mixed-Use Properties

Dennis Leung: McElhanney; June 19, 2025

I am seeking clarification regarding the classification of loading bays/docks in BOMA Mixed-Use Properties.
Specifically, I would appreciate your guidance on the following scenarios:

1. In a mixed-use property with two separate loading areas—one designated for residential and other retail uses, and another exclusively for a single retail tenant—can the loading bay or dock used solely by the single retail tenant be considered part of the rentable area?

2. For the shared loading bay/dock serving both residential and multiple retail tenants, is it appropriate to classify this space as a common area?

Your expertise on how these areas should be treated under BOMA standards would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Best regards,
Dennis Leung

David Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; June 20, 2025

Hi Dennis,

You have a lot of flexibility using BOMA Mixed-Use. Here are my answers to your questions below:

1. Yes. The loading dock that serves both the residential and retail components would be a Mixed-Use Common Area and proportionately allocated to the Retail Use Component and the Residential Use Component. The other loading dock would be entirely within the Retail-Use component. When you run your BOMA 2020 Retail Analysis on the Retail-Use Component, you would simply include the loading dock as part of the tenant's GLA (assuming that it complies with Gross Leasable Area under that standard).

2. Yes, Mixed-Use Common Area as noted above.

Thanks,
David