Two Unit with potential for 3rd Unit or Office - Buffalo, NY

[Jared Messina]

I have a Two Unit with a garage space that used to be the previous owners home office space. It is about 460 square feet and is now an empty shell that I would like to develop into a rent-able space. I do not plan on selling the property any time soon, and I would like to convert the space into either a studio apartment or office. The jump from a 2-unit to a 3-unit will trigger some additional requirements that may or may not be feasible in order for it to be permitted as a 3 unit. If it were converted into an office, it would need to be rezoned as such. The greencode of Buffalo indicates that I am in N-2R (Central Residential) zone of the city which affords me the opportunity to classify it under building types such as Attached House, Carriage House or Detached house. 

Please let me know if you have any experience with a conversion of this type, or know of anyone who may be able to help outline the process of doing so. Any direction or advice is welcome. Thanks.