Duplex Sale nearly complete, just found out zoning is single Fam

[Tom Lipps]

HI BP!

I have a duplex short sale in Cincinnati, OH that I've been working on buying for nearly 5 months now. At this point the contract is FINALLY signed and my Lender is about to do the appraisal. (I've already done my inspection). Things have been looking really good, and the end seemed to be near! (this is my first investment property).

However, today my lender informed me this "Duplex" is zoned as Single Family.

If I can't legally rent out both units, the deal's numbers no longer make sense and I would need to back out.

I'm not very familiar with zoning laws.. If this is zoned as a Single Family, do I have the ability to get it re-zoned to a Duplex? If so, do you know what steps I need to take to do so?

Thanks for any help!

 - Tom

[Tom Lipps]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Believe it or not, the Hamilton County Auditory website has ALREADY BEEN UPDATED to reflect s "Multi Family Dwelling"!  I'm absolutely dumbfounded that it was that easy to change (again, almost seems too good to be true). I'm moving forward with the deal. Thanks again!