There are two ways to unlock a community lot.
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The first way is to place any community lot, have a Sim purchase it, and start a business on it.
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The second way is to have 4 Sim households.
If you place a community lot using the second way, it does not need to be owned by a playable Sim, but if you want a Sim to have a business there they can.
In addition to adding to your SM, for each community lot you also earn 1 CAS Sim. [You don’t have to add the new Sims as you earn them. You can save up and add whole families if you choose.]