Changing House Zoning / AirBnB workaround?

[Amil D.]

We have a 3-family in Swampscott, Massachusetts that also has a large basement. So this is potentially a four family house.

But we are only zoned for 2-family. Floors 1 and 2 are currently occupied by the tenants and us. My question is twofold:

1) if we can’t get it zoned to 3 or 4 family, can we at least Airbnb the basement? I don’t know how Airbnb is considered versus standard renting.

2) How hard would it be to get zoned to a 3 or even 4 family? What is the criteria of a zoning board that we should be considering?....or is this just a networking challenge?

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Amil D. Also be sure to be on good terms with your neighbors.  The Zoning Board of Appeals will notify all abutters and solicit their comments.

You might consider contacting them first, so you can sell the idea to them before they get a notification in the mail.  Concentrate on how the change won't have any impact on them - and don't be surprised if one of them wants their palms greased.