Haven't actually contacted a lender before though and if there is room for negotiation with some of the stipulations then maybe I've been overthinking it.

Contact the building code enforcement person for that area and they will walk you through the permit process.

Arturo Borges if you have a hard time getting in touch with the particular municipality and the correct contact, I sometimes go to the building department very first thing and wait to talk to the plans examiner or permit technician (especially if it has been in process for a few weeks)

I have a side online business, self-employed, and my CPA suggested that I should open solo 401k with that business and move my SDIRA funds into this Solo K account since it's got better tax treatment around UBIT.I contacted IRA Services and Trust (custodian) whom I have IRA account with and they said in order to open Solo K, I have to establish my company's Solo K Plan and provide them with "Self Employed 401(k) Custody Agreement".They said I can hire a CPA or lawyer to do that.

After listening to almost all of the Bigger Pockets podcasts, my fiancé and I are l starting to dive into creative ways to find deals- one of which was contacting landlords with recent evictions in our surrounding cities and counties.

I've contacted local leasing agents to pick their brains about average rent/sq ft rates and also to ask what their process is in finding tenants along with associated fees.

@Charan K. if you in need of a realtor in the Richmond area, PM me and I can give you my contact. 

My name is Chelsea.

If it does, then search your local area for lenders or brokers that specialize in these types of loans and contact them for a consultation.

Contact City planning with drawings see what they say.