Finally, the permitting office is so busy, backed-up, and bureaucratically inept that we are having a hard time getting stuff accomplished. 

I *could* add another meter; however, its several thousand bucks, several permits, and a curious county asking why on earth would I want another meter on a SFH :)@Mart Brosas Best of luck to you with your first property, I think house-hacking is the easiest way in, and makes the most sense due to good financing options for owner-occupied.

Or just buy the STR permit and build the cost of the permit into the rent. 

Hi Deb,This is simply the case because 1) it is a small area relative to other suburbs and municipalities comprising Greater Cleveland and 2) it is more predominantly homeowner-occupant based than renter based.Olmsted Township requires a rental permit to lease out your property.

Follow the same approach for other types of commercial you think there may be missing.If the project looks feasible the next step is to check zoning with the city or county to determine how many units you can get, what is required for all approvals including parking requirements, site plan and building permits, proffers, water/sewer tap fees, bonding requirements, inspections and CO process and time frame for all approvals.You also need to check with the utility companies and get an idea of availability and cost estimates from them for water, sewer, power, gas, cable, installation and connection requirements, tap fees, hookup charges, transformer location and relocation, power line and power pole relocation issues.Check to see if you have to install any manholes, fire hydrants, curb, gutter, sidewalks, street signs, street lighting any specific street design or access requirements,.Check DOT requirements for access, stop lights and permits, traffic studiesDWQ requirements for permits, permit fees, time framesThis is a broad overview of the process and your civil engineer can handle all of this but it's good for you to know exactly what's required.

We researched not just the title history but also building permit history.

Accessory dwelling units are permitted in single families only.

Hello BP users,I acquired a property a while back and just got permits approved to add an ADU ("Companion Unit") in the back.

Mom bought a 3/2 home (California) with a detached one bed, one bathroom unit, that we believed to be permitted as such, as the MLS listing "description" described as "The guest house is a 1/1 and includes it's own indoor laundry, single car garage and updated kitchen with granite countertops," however, it turns out the 1/1 was only permitted as a shop with a bathroom, and was never permitted as an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

I would first check to see when the mother in law unit was constructed and ask the seller if they know and if the work was permitted.