Converting a Duplex to a Triplex in Saint Paul

[Rich Leone]

Are there any landlords out there in the MN BP community that have experience working with the city of St Paul on rezoning or getting a variance on a rental? We are in the process of closing on a duplex in the North End and it has a pretty large unfinished attic space that looks like it could meet the basic requirements for a living space. The property is currently zoned RT1 - 2 Family Residential. I've noticed on the St Paul Zoning map online (https://tinyurl.com/827awr8n) that there is spot zoning within neighborhoods. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the process that they are willing to share. Thanks!

  

[Joseph Lee]

Hey @Rich Leone, one thing to look into (beyond zoning) is if you can have a non-owner-occupied ADU. This may allow you to add that additional until without upgrading the entire building to IBC code (commercial code) instead of IRC (residential). Otherwise there are going to need to be changes to more than just that new unit. 

We ran into this when looking at converting a SxS duplex with walkout basements into a tri or quad. We ended up deciding to add bedrooms and a bath instead. Much lower cost and much less of a headache. I'd advise looking into this bedroom/bath add as an alternative.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of St. Paul specifics can chime in on the zoning and ADU topics.