Go the local building department, introduce yourself, and explain the situation to them; ask them if they have a check list or something for you to go off of.

I just turned 30 a few months ago, and currently work as a grant administrator for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

Additionally to note, while typically improbable, reach out to the water department and see if they might consider installing and reading at the individual homes .  

Most of the retail buyers are turned off, because that house over there comes with shiny backslash behind the kitchen sink and doesn't smell like 50 years of cigarettes.

In the right neighborhoods people are buying fixer-uppers at near retail price. 

All over the place I am catching charges above retail when part of the sales pitch was, "we get lower service prices due to volume".  

…  but then they aren’t whole sale deals… they’re RETAIL deals ..SO WHY BUY FROM A WHOLE SALER?

Retail.

(btw my first job was at the big blue home improvement store making 7.25/ hour) I went to my city's police department expecting to be welcomed with open arms!

These are also referred to as granny flats or in-law suites from time to time.My suggestion is to contact your area's Building & Safety Department to discuss the possibility and legality of doing this in your area.If you have any questions as to what is involved in this feel free to PM me.Best of luck!