Split SFR with door+deadbolt: Counts as Unit? Or Rooms in House?

[Mike H.]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a SFR and live in part of it (owner occupied).

I found a place where I could add a door + deadbolt inside, and split the SFR in two. One won't have a kitchen.

If I rent this half, is it considered as a unit? There is no wall separating them. Just a door. 

Or is it considered as renting rooms in a house?

thank you

[Brie Schmidt]

No it's not, it needs to be zoned as two units and have proper egress as defined by your local building codes.  What that means is if there is a fire, and you are renting it as a seperate unit, and it doesn't have proper egress, you are getting sued.