Exemptions for zoning to convert SFR to duplex

[Brian Christensen]

Hello. We bought our home in 2010 and it is zoned SFR. I’d like to make it a duplex. How do I go about doing that. I live in springville Utah. Should cash flow ~$1000/month if possible.

[Frank Chin]

Generally, you get hold of city planning department as the first step:

Refer to the part on change in zoning and call the number, if the house is in Springville UT.

Processes differ everywhere. Generally speaking,  if it's a one family zone, you'll need a variance, in my area requires a public hearing, and a vote. In many areas, where it's zoned for one family, there would be extreme opposition to higher density zoning, usually it's voted down. If it's already zones for 2 family, you'll need permits.

Two blocks from me at the edge of a residential zone and commercial zone, a business had bought a lot hoping to use it for his business, or build a small strip mall. He submitted his plans several times in the last 30 years but voted down. It's still an empty lot.

I own a duplex, which had 3 units. I looked into legalizing it. Spoke to the head of the local homeowners association who opposed all such zoning changes and I knew it would be voted down if I tried. Then I'm told by architects that duplexes are built to a different standard than three plexes, like requiring fire escapes, which by appearances change the nature of the neighborhood, often generating opposition. So I could file plans to make it conforming only to be told a house like that would look out of place in a nice neighborhood.