Adding a unit to duplex - lot 33sqft too small - what to do?

[DG A.]

Hi Folks, 

I want to add a 3rd unit to a duplex I own, but my lot is 33 sq. ft. too small. Here's the deal...

I own a duplex that sits on a 7,467 sq. ft. lot and it's located in an RM-2 Zone in Oakland, CA. 

I've looked up the sq. ft. requirements for the RM-2 zone and the planning code says you can have 3 or more units on the lot, as long as there is 2,500 Sq Ft of lot area per unit. So, in order to have 3 units on my lot I would need a 7,500 sq. ft. lot.
  

See here: 

My lot is 7,467 sq. ft. which makes it 33 sq. ft. short of meeting the conditional use criteria of 2,500 sq. ft. per unit to be able to add a 3rd unit to my duplex.

Questions:

• Has anyone out there solved a similar problem? 
• What do I need to do to find a way to add my 3rd unit? (Neighbors are not interested in selling me 33 sq. ft. of land)
• I've heard about cities allowing variances, but I'm not sure how they work or if I would qualify for a variance to the planning code in my situation. Has anyone out there successfully gotten a variance? Would you share your experience?

My duplex is in Fruitvale, not that far from Lake Merrit.

[Nicholas Leone]

Might cost some $ but you can hire a surveyor to measure your lot. Small possibility but you may have the 33 SF and not know it.

Also worth finding the assessors parcel map for your land and calculating lot size based on those dimensions.

Otherwise, I’d keep pushing the sale of 33 SF from a neighbor followed by a lot line adjustment as others noted. Your neighbors may not be interested. You may need to sweeten the pot for them. You can also offer easements for use and fences obviously.