Newbie Question of the Day - Zoning

[Ryan Eggen]

Hello, 

Just starting my trip down the rabbit hole that is REI so apologies if this information is somewhere else and I have not found it yet. Currently I am house hacking my primary residence with my brother while we use this time to get our debts paid off and start working on a down payment.

My primary search has been for a tri- or quad-plex in the local area that my brother will move into as an owner occupier, and we would be 50/50 on all parts and self-manage. While I have found several postings during my research phase, I came across a Four-plex but the zoning on it is for R1-6 Single Family Residence. 

Neither one of us is opposed to putting in the work as far as renovations but submitting an application for a zoning change is something I have not seen too many articles on, never dealt with in any aspect of so I am reaching out for some guidance from others who have dealt with this and if it is something I should consider a deal breaker or just add to the sheet of things to fix when we get the property. 

For those who have dealt with this before, what are some things you wish you knew before starting the process, what would you change about how you did it, and if you decided not to do it again what type of person would you contract to do it for you? 

Thank you in advance everyone, looking forward to seeing the responses.