Specialist · West Valley City, UT · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 0 votes
Could anyone give me ideas or tips on changing a sIngle family home (7 bedrooms) into a multi family home (2 bedrooms in the basement to be its own)? I want to rento our the basement , but there is no kitchen, bathroom or entrance for it. I was thinking of putting a kitchen bathroom and entrance in the basement and separating it to do a rental propert below while I stay in the house above. Any ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?
There are A LOT of building codes that will need to be followed. Even if zoning allows it, it is not as simple as putting in a separate entrance and a kitchen/bath. i.e. all bedrooms have to have an egress window and the proper clear area outside each of those windows. Which could be impossible if your built to the 5' set back line.
Most SFHs are zonned for single family... meaning you can only have one legal dwelling unit on the property. In order to change to a two family you would need to check your zoning. Usually you can find this online. If not, you have to go down to the zoning department.
There are A LOT of building codes that will need to be followed. Even if zoning allows it, it is not as simple as putting in a separate entrance and a kitchen/bath. i.e. all bedrooms have to have an egress window and the proper clear area outside each of those windows. Which could be impossible if your built to the 5' set back line.
Its going to be a mix of several places. You can find most of the zoning requirements under your city/county codes which should be online. As for building codes, thats going to be a bit tougher. That is going to be under the IRC/IBC (International Residential/Building Code). You might be able to browse them online or at least partially online. Otherwise you'd need to call an architect or maybe a contractor that has a copy. Don't bother trying to buy one they are VERY expensive.
I'm going to agree with Nik on this one. It's going to be more difficult than you expect and I'd anticipate that your neighbors won't like it. Familiar yourself with any residential design guidelines for your area and the zoning ordinance. You'll likely need a variance which will likely not come easy. It's worth a few hours of research to see what you can pull off. Good luck!
What you are wanting to build is an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Dwelling Unit, which hopefully your zoning will allow. Out here in California the state is promoting this option to help solve our housing crisis. Ideally try to get the unit metered separately, sometimes this is possible and it allows you to have the tenant cover their own utilities. I’d check the local municipalities website and learn the regulations for specific zoning first and foremost.
If you know any local builders or architects I’d reach out and ask them if they have any experience doing this work in your area, could save you a bit of time doing research.