Zoning doesn’t match house

[Ronald Alba]

Hi BP,

I’m currently under contract for a home in hummelstown PA. House was advertised as currently single family but with a few modifications could easily be turned into a duplex (one full bath and bedroom added to first floor). Public record shows house was a duplex at one point but years ago was transformed into a single family. House currently has two kitchens, two furnaces, 4+ off street parking spaces, and two electrical panels. Currently one gas meter and one electrical meter but has a double meter base to allow for a second electric meter to be installed. The borough has my side of the street zoned as single family but the opposing side of the street is multi family. In the last two years homes were sold and purchased on my side of the street as multi family homes. The borough wont allow me to submit a zoning review since I am not the current owner and refuses to confirm if the property can be legally converted back to a multi. Sellers are looking into the issue but I’m concerned we won’t get answers before the contract and rate lock expires. I’m considering backing out of the deal if the zoning issue cannot be figured out (contract has zoning/inspection contingencies to allow) but I don’t want to give up yet. Any help on this issue is greatly appreciated. Is this a common issue? How difficult is a zoning board appeal process and what are the chances of me “winning”? Help! Thank you