How to check if I could add an additional unit in Boston?

[Taylor Thompson]

Hi everyone, I'm looking at buying a SFR in Boston that zoned for multiple units,. Do people have suggestions on how to confirm if it's possible to add additional units (either by converting a large SFR or by adding a backyard unit), and what can be done without needing a variance? Any specifics (i.e. recommendations of contractors, lawyers, or city officials to speak with) would be really useful. Thanks!

[Jack Romano]

Your first stop is here: http://maps.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/zoningviewer/ This contains the zoning maps for the city so you can see what a given property is zoned for and determine if you can build "as of right". Keep in mind, that due to zoning changes over time, the the existing types of housing that exists in an area might no longer be able to be built as of right.