How to Find out my Zoning and Rezone my Property to Multifamily

[Jennifer Davidson]

Hi Everyone! I'm brand new to real estate investing and this is my first time posting on the BP forum! I have a single family home just outside of downtown Atlanta, GA (Oakland City) and it has an unfinished basement with an external entrance to the backyard. I would love to fix it up to either rent out or Air BnB. I just got off the phone with a contractor who said that I'm not allowed to have 2 kitchens in a single family home, I would need to get rezoned to multifamily. How do I find out my current zoning status? How do I start the rezoning process? Is it expensive? Is there a high chance my rezoning request would be denied or is rezoning usually granted as long as you fill out the paperwork, pay the money, and get the permits? Also, if I'm trying to rent them out as separate units in the future, how do I divide the home into different addresses (ex 100A Main Street and 100B Main Street) and split utilities etc. with the city? Any advise you have would be GREAT!

[Greg Dickerson]

Originally posted by @Jennifer Davidson:

Hi Everyone! I'm brand new to real estate investing and this is my first time posting on the BP forum! I have a single family home just outside of downtown Atlanta, GA (Oakland City) and it has an unfinished basement with an external entrance to the backyard. I would love to fix it up to either rent out or Air BnB. I just got off the phone with a contractor who said that I'm not allowed to have 2 kitchens in a single family home, I would need to get rezoned to multifamily. How do I find out my current zoning status? How do I start the rezoning process? Is it expensive? Is there a high chance my rezoning request would be denied or is rezoning usually granted as long as you fill out the paperwork, pay the money, and get the permits? Also, if I'm trying to rent them out as separate units in the future, how do I divide the home into different addresses (ex 100A Main Street and 100B Main Street) and split utilities etc. with the city? Any advise you have would be GREAT!

 Jennifer - You can look up your zoning online as well as the code regarding duplexes etc. but the best thing to do is call the planning and zoning dept in the city the property is located. They will be able to answer all your questions and direct you to the section of the code that addresses these issues.