All Forum Posts by: Tiffany Tran

I bought a property many years ago which has three floors where first floor is used as law office but has a kitchen and bathroom, second floor is a one bedroom apartment, and third floor also has an bathroom and small kitchen which can also be used as another apartment.

The property is located in CMX4, it only has one rental license for one unit.  I can either apply for change of use as multi 3 units (by right) but sprinkler system needed to be installed.  My question is if I apply for change of use as duplex for second and third floors and commercial space on first floor then is fire sprinkler required?  No construction is needed with current layout.  If anyone has any knowledge or advice is greatly appreciated.  TIA

Does anyone know if applying for 2 existing apartments on 2nd and  3rd floor with commercial space on ground floor in CMX4  zoning requires fire sprinkler system if no construction is needed?  I know  I have to go through variance process.  TIA

Hello everyone,

Would anyone able to recommend a good zoning attorney in Philadelphia for

this issue?

Hello,

I tried to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for my existing tri-plex, the previous owner has it set up as 3 apartment but only rented

out 1 unit and the rest is used for personal. So there is only one rental license for this.  When I applied CO to change it, the city required the fire sprinkler system in order to approve the permit.  Does anyone know any company who can help me to do this?  It is located in Philadelphia and there is tenant occupied.  How much would something like this cost?  It is about 2200 square feet, 3 story building.

Someone told me I can get a waiver for this due to the Grandfather clause?  I also was told  with the waiver, I still have to appeal to the Better Building Standard (BBS) to get the variance, then only after that I can obtain the CO permit.  Does anyone have any knowledge on this matter?

Thank you for any helps and  recommendations

Thank you everyone for the information. I did not know there is a vacant fee for property so paying $50 a year is a better deal. What I do not understand was I intend to let my college daughter live in one of the property while going to school for the next 4 years but the lady at the city hall said I still have to pay rental license even when my kid lives for free.

Does anyone know if we still have to pay $50 a year to renew a rental license in Philadelphia if the property is vacant or not renting it out? I was told by the lady at the license & inspection that I have to pay until the property is sold or the owner has to live at the property. Is this true?