Zoned as Duplex, rents as a Triplex

[Andrew Whicker]

Hi,

I'm sure many of you have faced this issue before. I got an offer accepted on a Triplex that is zoned as a Duplex. The owner says the house has been rented this way for 8 years without a problem. I'm wary. I also don't need to open a box of worms by asking the city if the house is okay by using the exact address. I don't need to throw the seller under the bus.

So how do I go about this? I understand, that in these parts, it's somewhat common to have mother-in-law houses and so forth that do NOT meet zoning requirements and operate that way for years. It seems pure luck, which I'm not interested in. This is my first property and I will be owner / occupier.

Is there anyway to ask the city without... asking the city?

Cheers,

Andy