Purchasing a Multi-Level Single Family Home for invesment

[Richard Baker]

I am looking at purchasing a single family home in Seattle that is two levels (up stairs and down stairs) there are no interior stairs to access the upstairs from the downstairs. There is 3 bedrooms one bath and a kitchen upstairs and 2 bedrooms, one bathroom and kitchen downstairs. Each has its own separate exterior entry door. There is no way with this set up that I can rent this as a single family home. Is it possible to get this rezoned as a multi-unit duplex? There is currently one gas meter and one electrical panel. The heat can only be controlled from upstairs (Upstairs controls heat for both upstairs and downstairs). My concern is will I be able to get it rezoned as a duplex to have the electrical panels and gas meter separated and the cost associated with that. Any ideas?