You can get in and talk to the mayor or city council to get a feel for what is going on plus voice your opinions. 

Additionally, in the R-7 and R-8 Zoning Districts, you need a Conditional Use Ordinance from the City Council to authorize the conversion.

Additionally, I’m curious about how this would apply to properties in provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, or Ontario.

I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing but I care, seek council, and read to try to give my best effort.

So I am hoping the council would allow us to move into one of those studios.

Look in the local papers for the last few meetings of the city council or county board to find out if any new rules are being proposed. 

If you are not familiar with Scott, Scott was the Executive Director of the Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which was tasked in part to support and advance Opportunity Zone tax credits during the first Trump Administration.

Also I am thinking now that these are small rural counties with population in the entire county probably no more than 50k or so.. at least with most of those folks living in the city of Oroville which is right on the border with British Columbia In my flying days I would go into Oroville to get through US customs compared to going into one of the airports Airports north of Seattle .

For the public unless you're attending EVERY planning commission and city council/county commissioner meeting you wont hear all of the back and forth.  

You ask the neighbors or the village council.