Hey everyone, so I'm looking for information about zoning issues in Austin Texas. There is property that is a multifamily (triplex) built in 1948 that Im interested in but they're saying the ciTy has it zoned sf-3. And they wanted it turned into a duplex, but that doesn't seem right. Shouldn't it be a legal nonconforming property if it was built before the zoning took effect? Is this worth pursuing? Is the seller confused?  Any thoughts? Thanks

Well, the best thing to do in this situation to to actually go the city's Planning and Zoning Dept, and speak with the person in charge yourself.  Usually, in my experience, if the property is already built, it should be grandfathered in.  

Don't ever go buy what a seller tells you, sometimes you have to find out for yourself.

Try this link: http://www.austintexas.gov/faq/zoning-my-property-...

And I would find out who the person you need to contact is by calling the city.

Welcome to Austin.   I'd contact the city and expect to get the run around with them if you can actually find somebody to answer your question.   Chances are it is what it is and you might have to pay some ridiculous amount of money to get it changed.   But you can try, you never know.   Just be nice with whoever you talk to no matter how angry you will become, because if you act like a jerk with them, you'll never get anything done. 

@James L.  

@Bryan Hancock        does a tremendous amount of development in Austin...he's likely the best source for guidance on this matter.  He's good about responding so just hold tight.

SF-3 allows for duplex if the lot is at least 7000SF, and there is no neighborhood plan saying otherwise.  

It's possible the 3 unit is grandfathered.