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Answers (5)
- James Callas, "ABBAUSA"
- Contributions:957
I showed a beautiful older two story home today that had been converted to a business. My buyers were wanting to go back to residential at least on the first floor and make rental units in other areas. The reason I mention this is that this property can't be financed in it's present state as FHA, it must be Conventional. That is another consideration in changing state of use.
Good Luck!
James Callas - Realtor®
Good Luck!
James Callas - Realtor®
- Eugene Hacker, "RiverLakeRE"
- Contributions:165
I have changed the use of a building in the past. It was a confusing process at first but the county building department was very helpful and answered all my questions eventually.
The girls at the office gave me the direct number of the field inspector who was also a wealth of information.
The girls at the office gave me the direct number of the field inspector who was also a wealth of information.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
You might consider consulting with a builder that is familiar with current code. An architect would be great, but a good builder might be less expensive for a one time bare bones consultation to see what the minimums are that are needed to comply with the law.
Parking has to be dealt with usually, but you can sometimes work around it by providing an "alternative transportation plan" like a bicycle rack or mapping nearby public transit to get your # of spaces needed reduced. You also have to think about meeting the fire code and of course the ADA accessibility for entrance/exit and bathrooms. Sounds like you are on the right track though.
Parking has to be dealt with usually, but you can sometimes work around it by providing an "alternative transportation plan" like a bicycle rack or mapping nearby public transit to get your # of spaces needed reduced. You also have to think about meeting the fire code and of course the ADA accessibility for entrance/exit and bathrooms. Sounds like you are on the right track though.
- pcarroll001
- Contributions:16
Thanks Jim! You're right, I probably should have hired an architect before closing escrow, but it's too late for that now.
I am aware of the different parking requirements for different uses. They range from 1 space per 200-300 sq ft, depending on the use. I do not plan on using the office myself, but on selling or renting it as an office, so I don't want to go above and beyond in renovating the place to a specific need.
Just wondering if an architect is really the person to talk to about changing a building's primary use? I hope to avoid any significant structural changes, but just to comply with code and the law.
I am aware of the different parking requirements for different uses. They range from 1 space per 200-300 sq ft, depending on the use. I do not plan on using the office myself, but on selling or renting it as an office, so I don't want to go above and beyond in renovating the place to a specific need.
Just wondering if an architect is really the person to talk to about changing a building's primary use? I hope to avoid any significant structural changes, but just to comply with code and the law.
- Jim Ventura, "rktekt"
- Contributions:15
A lot will depend on the type of business you are going to put there. If you have public accessing your office, that is very different than if you are running some sort of consulting business where there will be no public access. Different uses have different parking requirements.
A local architect is your starting point. Hire them for a fixed fee for a few hours of investigations. I think you should have done this prior to closing escrow, but in any case, that's your starting point.
A local architect is your starting point. Hire them for a fixed fee for a few hours of investigations. I think you should have done this prior to closing escrow, but in any case, that's your starting point.
Converting a House to a Commercial Office
I have talked a little bit to the city, and checked out the zoning ordinances. As far as I can tell, the only things that I think I need to do are put in a certain amount of off-street parking, and make the place ADA compliant. That is, unless the whole building needs to be retrofitted to meet current, commercial code. In which case, I want to know before I start, because there's no way I could afford it.
If anyone has any advice or experience in this arena, I would appreciate hearing about it. Surely, this sort of thing has been done before?
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