Adding bedrooms to a triplex. Permits? And resale headaches?

[Brian Warren]

I have 2 almost identical triplex apartment buildings.

Both have 2 very large framed / screened in from porches. Estimate 40’ x 14’

It would be very easy to turn half of each one of them into a 3rd bedroom and still maintain an appropriate sized screened in porch on the other half.

I have a guy that is very capable of doing the work. This would increase the rent of said units by approximately $200-$250 each

My question is

1) do I need permits for interior work like that? (Most likely)

2) how likely are they to approve it? WhT would be my obstacles?

3) if I did the work without permits will this come back to bite me when I try and resell the properties?

[Kenneth Garrett]

@Brian Warren

You definitely need a permit.  You are creating a new sleeping area.  These require a properly sized escape window (minimum 5.7 square feet of openable window, 5.0 if your at grade) a smoke detector in the bedroom, a smoke detector outside of the bedroom within 15 feet of the bedroom door, possibly a carbon monoxide detector outside the bedroom (same rule as smoke detector that is outside the bedroom).  Hopefully you can meet the minimum size.  Technically the code says 70 square feet for one person minimum of dimension in any direction 7 feet.  You should shoot for a 100 square foot room at a minimum.  Allows two people.  The porch is in the front of the house I am assuming, your message had a typo regarding its location.  That means it is visible to the entire neighborhood including inspectors.   Not getting a permit will violate your insurance policy in the event a fire occurred potentially.