Convert 2 Family to 3 Family in Lynn MA

[Milton Carrillo]

legal 2 family house but it has converted to a 3 family with separate utilities, egresses, smoke detectors, etc. The attic has been built up with kitchen, bath, living room and 3 bedrooms. The space is actually very nice and modern. The seller's agent says that converting to a legal 3 family will not be a big problem and will only need an application submitted with the city hall. However, I am not so sure it will be that easy. Anyone has any experience converting a 2 family to 3 family in Lynn? Would I need an architect (the space is built so perhaps it will need an architect evaluation), zoning lawyer, etc? Anything else I should ask the agent or recommendations for architect or zoning lawyers I can talk to? 

Thanks a lot!

[Dan Weber]

@Milton Carrillo your best bet is going to be to go to the city and speak with someone in the Building Department or Planning Department. They will look up the zoning district that the property is in and see if a 3 unit building is an approved "Use" in that zoning district. Assuming that it is, it will likely just be a paperwork process and an inspection to get a Certificate of Occupancy for that 3rd unit. 

[Milton Carrillo]

@Dan Weber thanks a lot for the information

[Ryan Judy]

Biggest issue is probably fire sprinklers - many towns require them for conversion to a 3 family. 

[Milton Carrillo]

@Ryan Judy are sprinklers required on multifamily? The rest of the house does not have sprinklers

[Dan Weber]

@Milton Carrillo changing the building from a two family to a three family would be considered a “change of use” which would trigger new construction standards, which are sprinklers.

[Milton Carrillo]

This house is already built as 3 family with separate entries and utilities but the deed is as a 2 family. Does that change anything? 

[Ryan Judy]

I don't believe so but I guess you might have some debate if you could argue it had been a 3 family for a significant period of time. 

But as Dan said - conversion to a 3 family is a change of use, and would require sprinklers. 

If you end up going that route let me know how you do with the sprinkler installation - I may have to do same for a property I would like to convert sometime in the future. 

[Lien Vuong]

Dan has some great pointers there, I would work with your buyers agent here and not listen to the seller's agent who does not have you fiduciary interest in mind to execute this plan.