2 unit zoned as a Single Family

[Donnie Jordan]

Hey fellow BP members,

I'm under contract on a 2 unit top/ Bottom house that I'm planning to house hack. The house is zoned and in county records as a single family. Has anyone purchased a 2 unit that is still zoned as a SFH? I'm scared I'll have issues renting both units after I move out of the house hack. I've heard that once i try to get my rental license they might deny me because it's a single family. I'm also curious about adding the second mailbox.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Cathy Malmrose]

Hi, it depends on where you are located. Check with your city/town/village/township/whoever regulates housing in that property's address. I have something similar -- a triplex, fully decked out for 3 families, but years ago the owner wanted to save money and got it zone as SFR. In my little town, the city NEVER goes back on an SFR. I am actually on the Board of Property Assessors now, connected to all the people who would get it switched back to multi-family and all of them say that, "I've never seen one switched from SFR back to multi-family, not in 40 years..." Plenty of people have tried. None have succeed. Whatever you do, make SURE you get it zoned properly before starting the reno. You'll either have to go under the radar (not recommended! people usually get caught) or you'll waste money reverting it to an SFR. Note there is a huge market for SFRs with a mother-in-law suite. I have one that rents for more as an SFR + mil suite than it would as a duplex.