Lake Tahoe is 12%-impossible to get a permit here though, the county area (El dorado) is 10% I believe, and Douglas County is 14%) and keep up on any proposed changes to VHR or STR code in the areas you are looking.

"Name" "City" and sometimes "area code" in quotes in the same search.

(see below)  https://library.municode.com/ga/dekalb_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?

They have Property Class codes (i.e., 210=Single, 220=Duplex, 230=Triplex, 411=Apartments) listed but no way to search for them based on the code on their web page.

In Houston here - I've had success marketing to high grass code violations.

I don't have an eviction attorney for Hudson County, but you should familiarize yourself with the "Truth in Renting" document (http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications...) and NJ Community Affairs website (http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/land...).

Zoning is potentially an issue but building code is the bigger issue.  

Lots of places have an illegal basement and what makes them illegal is that they do not meet code for someone to live in them.

But of course, mortgage guidelines are not the tax code.

Wall and floors will likely not be level there are usually multiple additions from different decades and building codes, if any.