Hello, I'm looking to purchase a CMX-3 property currently as a single family. The current owner never bothered to get a use permit/variance for single family use. It's been rented out for years without an issue.
But I believe there was a recent change to Philly zone rules for CMX-3 in that, single family use is no longer permitted.
Is the property a risk to purchase now, or there's some way to still get the use permit for Single Family?
@Owen Lee single family use is listed as "expressly prohibited" in CMX-3. Surprising that you would want to keep a CMX-3 as single family though. With that zoning you have a lot of flexibility on what do do with it, and the highest and best use is likely not a single family dwelling. Unless the house is currently gorgeous, if it is in a decent area, you might be better making a small apartment building or mixed use. If cost is a factor, there are definitely ways to make it work.
I’m not sure how new the law is but I don’t believe you are legally allowed to use it as a single family rental. A 2-family is legal if
[7] Two-family household living is permitted in the CMX-3 district provided at least 50% of the ground floor frontage contains a non- residential use, or the lot area is less than 1,440 sq. ft.
@Owen Lee single family use is listed as "expressly prohibited" in CMX-3. Surprising that you would want to keep a CMX-3 as single family though. With that zoning you have a lot of flexibility on what do do with it, and the highest and best use is likely not a single family dwelling. Unless the house is currently gorgeous, if it is in a decent area, you might be better making a small apartment building or mixed use. If cost is a factor, there are definitely ways to make it work.
may have something along the CMX2 zone wise in Philly coming shortly. Let me know if you're interested in doing business to benefit us both via inboxing me.
@Owen Lee single family use is listed as "expressly prohibited" in CMX-3. Surprising that you would want to keep a CMX-3 as single family though. With that zoning you have a lot of flexibility on what do do with it, and the highest and best use is likely not a single family dwelling. Unless the house is currently gorgeous, if it is in a decent area, you might be better making a small apartment building or mixed use. If cost is a factor, there are definitely ways to make it work.
Good point. The lot was too small for anything more than a single family, and in the end it did not seem to be worth the hassle.
The owner had just recently renovated the house and was firm on pricing.