Zoning and Building permit

[Paris Naberschnig]

Looking into buying a property thats zoned A4 general residential. The property is currently a single family home but could easily be converted into a 3/1 duplex. Who with the city do I need to check with before making an offer or starting construction to make sure this is allowed? Basically what renovations require a building permit? I dont plan to add on to the house; simply build out a kitchen on one side.

[Mike Wood]

@Paris Naberschnig  First, call your city zoning department and ask if the zoning allows for duplex.  Second, ask if each unit will be required to be provided with off street parking  (I believe that your zoning will require 2 off street parking spots per unit, which generally will be required to be behind the front yard).  If the zoning allows for duplex houses and parking is not an issue, then will be required to legal separate the units. That will require a permit (you will never get separate utilities without them).  You will need to separate the units, add the required fire rated separation wall/ceiling, ensure each unit has bathroom and kitchen, ensure sleeping rooms have egress windows, separate the electrical/gas at a minimum, separate water if possible, get different addresses, ensure proper entry doors for each unit.  While it is possible, it is not super simple.  I finished doing this to a house that was built as a 1500ft2 duplex but not legally (it had existing separate bathrooms and kitchens), and it cost me $24,700 (self managed).  To add a kitchen would add at least $10k