Zoning for Old Louisville Multifamily Properties

[Nolan Winderl]

Hi All, I recently came across an off market deal for a property in Old Louisville.  Per the TNZD zoning map, it is zoned as a 1-2 family property.  However, it is a 4,000 sq ft main house with a 700 sq ft carriage house. It is currently setup as 5 units, with 3 rented. I called the zoning office and they said it was in violation of the zoning type and there was no exemption in place.  But they also said if I was considering purchasing the property that they probably  wouldn't issue a citation because they don't really care and they screwed up the zoning back in 2002 when it was rezoned. The entire block and several nearby properties are in the same violation (assuming they also don't have exemptions). This would be my second property.  My questions are 1) Has anyone run into this issue in Old Louisville? 2) Has anyone gone through the process of rezoning to multifamily from 1-2 family? If so, how long did it take? 3) How would refinancing be affected for a property that has a zoning violation?   (I would use private money and would need to repay in less than a year likely.)

Forgive any incorrect terminology, thanks!