Historic Zoning District DC Permits

[Trevor S Foster]

I have a issue in which I can hopefully get some good feedback for a flip in Washington, DC. So please if there is a #contractor, #real #estate #attorney or #architect that understands #permitting in #DC please respond.

We have a property in Southeast Washington DC, that was originally a Duplex and it was converted to one big 5 bed 3 bath unit by the owner. The property is in a Historic District in DC, which we are told it would be extremely hard to obtain permits to convert back into a 2 unit property.

We have also been told that since there isn't a second door in the front of the property anymore (which with the new laws a second door cannot be added again) and because the basement divider wall has been removed the property cannot be grandfathered into the old laws and we would have to go before a board to be approved and that this would be extremely hard to do.

We agreed to buy this property based on the fact that we could convert back into 3 level 2 unit property. Each side would then have an ARV of 525-550, if we cant convert back then it changes the ARV drastically to only 600k.

Again the property is located in a historic area which has a lot of restrictions.

My question is, exactly how hard would it be to get the permits to change the property back into 2 units and also how long would this take?

I have provided a link to the videos of the property and also the zoning laws. All feedback is greatly appreciated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ewQqt4U1g579sJkY9