Zoning issues on a legal 3 fam w 4 apartments

[Jessica W.]

I know everyone on bp rightly advocates being properly zoned and getting certificates of habitability for all units and rightly so.

I'm just curious as to how this 3 family foreclosure I'm looking at has 4 separate electric meters and is listed on the tax records as a 4 family. Is it possible for the previous owner to have put in the basement apartment and done all this without getting it re-zoned?

The 4th apartment definitely looks like it's not up to code because one of the entrance doors has very low clearance (like less than 6'5").

Thoughts?