Firstly let me put my disclaimer out: Disclaimer: I am an architect, but I am not YOUR architect.

You should definitely speak to an architect if you want to go that route.  

From post title you can see I am a licensed architect with residential and commercial experience.

i know of an architect who moved out there and was telling me investors are flocking there.whatever you decide good luck!

I would just get an architect(this will cost $)or somebody from the building Dept or code enforcement( if your looking to save money, just know they willLook for violations) come out and look at what you want to do.

Your best here is always to speak with an architect.

@Daniel C.i would run this by and expeditor/architect....soemtimes ther is more than one way to skin a cat.Doing anything that doesn't comply with your CO could cause trouble.

I'm an IT guy by day (architect - 20 years in IT), so leveraging technology has been the main ingredient in enabling us to scale our RE business, while still maintaining our day jobs.

+ Architect (possibly landscape architect); GC; 

Uh oh, just saw you are an architect, you’re not gonna like that pre-drawn plan idea I’m guessing?