I don't know what their specific zoning laws are but California is pushing to make it easier to have in law units sometimes called ADU for accessory dwelling units.

Unless you sign up for monthly maintenance with a$25 to $40 a month and that only covets the first 30 minutes of the job. 

Ideally, I would love for it to be a house-hack that allows me to live for much cheaper especially because I am in an expensive market (Long Island) In my search for duplexes i see that some are listed as “legal 2 families” while others are listed as “accessory apartments”.

Just adding in a few little accessories like an accent chair, lamp, shower curtain, entry hall rug, towels in the bathroom, decorative item on the kitchen counter, etc can make a rental house really stand out since most people don't do this.

I am looking to buy a property with an accessory dwelling unit but was informed by the zoning department that either the primary house or accessory unit would need to be occupied by the owner.

There are many municipalities in which you can have an accessory apartment in your basement without much difficulty.

This is not coveted information only a CPA can provide.

As long as the furniture and accessories fit the style of the house, i.e. contemporary, cottage, etc., the stagers have done their job. 

Accessory to a Federal crime carries a few years of free room and board as well!

It is zoned for an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit).