Multi-generational Single Family Home

[Bob Sackameno]

Was looking at potentially building some multi-generational homes on single family home zoned lots. Does anyone have any experience on what constitutes a single family vs multi-family house?  I know that I can rent a 3 bedroom house to 2-3 different people. Can I build a house that has a granny flat and side entrance and rent it to two different people and still consider it a single family home? What specifies that the house is multi-family (eg a duplex) vs a single family home with multiple rooms?

Is it a full kitchen, side entrance, detached garage, etc? If for example, it was a side entrance and oven that made it considered multi-family, what would stop you at permitting from covering up a doorway and leaving out an oven and then coming back after the permit and adding the door and oven?