Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2018 · 8 posts · 3 votes
I just toured a single family home in Wisconsin. It had side by side entry doors in a split level. When you walk in, there's a door inside separating the two levels. There's separate kitchens on each floor.
Called the city and they said it could take up to 3 months to get rezoned to multi-family which is fine because it will take that long to rehab.
Does anyone have any experience getting single family rezoned to multi? What are the chances I'm denied?
Rental Property Investor · West Bend, WI · Member since 2015 · 931 posts · 598 votes
7y
All investors need to learn the GIS and other mapping applications intimately, the overlays show things like Zoning, Flood maps, Soil types, Topo, and much much more, all at your finger tips 24/7 I never take anyone's word for anything, especially from a government office, even before the GIS was wide spread I would go to the county offices and read the maps myself, Do your own homework and dont rely on others, same reason I learned abstracting, understanding more than most will get you farther than most, best of luck.
Rental Property Investor · West Bend, WI · Member since 2015 · 931 posts · 598 votes
7y
Does it need to be rezoned to multi family? many times the zoning in areas that have homes like that are R-2 or similar (check your zoning codes) meaning residential 1&2 family vs R-1 single family only. Multi family zoning usually only applies to 3 or more units. it may just be a matter of asking the right questions in the right format. I find government will not guide you, they do everything possible to obstruct you, so you need to dig in to what the rules are, you may find out they cant prevent you from making it a duplex, and dont need a zoning change.
Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2018 · 8 posts · 3 votes
7y
Thanks @Scott Schultz! Did some digging and they have R1-R7, but I can't figure out which R the property is. It's listed as Res. I have a call into zoning, but they're 2 weeks delayed. Any tips?
Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
7y
Great info from Scott! Sounds like it was originally built as a duplex, which is much better than a single family that has been converted after the fact. Layout never flows well. For more info on Milwaukee zoning look here:
Rental Property Investor · West Bend, WI · Member since 2015 · 931 posts · 598 votes
7y
All investors need to learn the GIS and other mapping applications intimately, the overlays show things like Zoning, Flood maps, Soil types, Topo, and much much more, all at your finger tips 24/7 I never take anyone's word for anything, especially from a government office, even before the GIS was wide spread I would go to the county offices and read the maps myself, Do your own homework and dont rely on others, same reason I learned abstracting, understanding more than most will get you farther than most, best of luck.
Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2018 · 8 posts · 3 votes
7y
@Scott Schultz thanks again! Checked out the maps. Zoned as R-6, needs to be R-7. If they accept my offer, I’ll start working with zoning - sounds like it usually takes 3 months.
Rental Property Investor · Napa, CA · Member since 2016 · 69 posts · 75 votes
7y
@John Ludwig As a first step, I would send a letter to the planning department with the subject APN and a description of what you would like to do with the property i.e. zoning amendment from R-6 to R-7. Ask what would be required for you to accomplish the zoning amendment. That way you have something in writing from the municipality. Also just some thoughts, I would also look to see if there the general plan would need to be changed as well or just zoning. Look into any encroachment permits needed for roadways. Possible environmental surveys... Most times it’s pretty effective to go do and talk to someone in the planning department in person. I hope this help.