Converting a Spare Bedroom into Office Space

[Chris Sweeney]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 4-plex that has a spare bedroom off of the second floor hallway. It's 104 square feet, bright with 2 windows, and has no rooms adjacent to it (only the hallway) so it's quiet. I'd love to be able to monetize this room in some way, and I think it would make a great small office.

My first thought holding me back - the legality of it. The building is zoned for 4 residential living units, but does that mean I can't rent this extra room out as additional storage or as office space or an artist's studio or whatever? Would that extra room be considered a 5th unit and be illegal? Maybe? But let's be real. People are doing it all the time by renting out their garages (which I understand doesn't make it legal). For example, a duplex I have elsewhere has 2 living units plus 2 garages. I plan on renting those garages out at some point, and I doubt anyone would ever say anything to me for having 4 tenants on a 2-unit property.

My second thought - no bathroom. I don't know if a bathroom would be required legally or not, but I think as long as that is disclosed in the rental listing and the tenant knows exactly what they're getting, I don't see it being a big deal. For example, if I were, say, a small accountant or a small part-time therapist or something, and would only see a couple clients per day and would otherwise be in and out of the office, I might not care if there's a bathroom or not.

Any thoughts on this, or any ideas on other ways I could monetize this room? Thanks!