Non Conforming - Two SFH on one plot

[Richard Phillip Lewis]

Hey guys,

I just looked at a property that has two separate single family houses on one plot. Both were about 800 sqft. Our plan was to live in one and rent the other. 

When we were looking at the property the seller let us in even though the agent was present. 

The seller asks what our plans were for the property. We say we want to add on to one of the houses to get more space.

He says “It’s not gonna happen. It’s a non conforming lot”

I say “I know on a duplex or a triplex the town can make these non conforming multi families conform and become one unit structures, but I doubt they can make me demo one of the houses.”  The seller disagreed.

 
So what’s the truth here. If there are two separate houses on one lot and the property is considered a non conforming multi family Can a township make you demo a house to make you make it conform? What else would the township say? Would they just not give you a CO for the other house even though both houses have rental history?

[Jake Handler]

If you call the township building/zoning department, they should be able to give you the answer after hearing the addresses.  Definitely go straight to the source and ask them rather than take a guess at it.  The "ask for forgiveness rather than permission" strategy is beneficial to many cases, but township zoning departments is not one of them lol