City Building Permits & Conversions

[Alfredo Alfaro]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking into a property that is in disrepair and am trying to locate the owners. When successful, hopefully, and I purchase the property and use a hard money lender to fund the rehab I am considering the possibility of converting the 4-5 bedroom and 2.5-3.5 bath home to a duplex. 

How do I submit the conversion to the city and do I need an architect to submit the planning?? I am unsure of the process or steps needed to do a conversion. 

Do I simply let the city know my intentions and they let me do it?