Houses With Multiple Stories

[Neel Patel]

Hello all,

Quick question. I have been seeing large houses in the city where the front half is three stories, quarter of it is two stories and the back quarter is one story. These houses are typically on an RM1 zoned lot. Any idea why and if these houses can be converted to three stories  all throughout? The one that I have been looking has other three-story houses surrounding it as well.

Thanks,

Neel

[Daniel Flesher]

Hey,

This will depend on the lot and existing coverage and setbacks. RM1 requires 25% open area and the greater of 9' or 20% of the lot depth for a rear yard. 

The first floor will often be non-conforming. Any addition in the rear of the house above that first floor would need to be in compliance of the minimum rear yard depth and maximum lot coverage. 

If the existing third floor is greater than 38' in height, it's likely that any addition would need to be under that height. 

But other than those limitations there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to do this. It's all within the by-right zoning allowances.