[Massplanners] Legalizing illegal (but tax-paying) 2 and 3-family uses

[Tom Skwierawski]

Planners,

Here in Revere, we have dozens of illegal 2 and 3-family housing units. As I'm sure is the case elsewhere, historically property owners added units onto their properties without receiving any permits, thus changing the structure's use.  Now when our building inspectors inspect these units, many property owners are surprised-some legitimately, others I'm sure with Oscar-worthy performances--that these additional units, often built before they owned them, were never legally converted. What's more, most if not all have been taxed according to this illegal use for decades.

In the interest of wiping the slate clean and moving forward, we want to legalize these legally-taxed-but-technically-illegal units. Do any other communities have experience doing something similar? I didn't want to reinvent the wheel if others have good policy solutions... thanks in advance!


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Tom Skwierawski
Chief, Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD)
Email: tskwierawski at revere.org<mailto:tskwierawski at revere.org>
Phone: (781) 286-8181 x 20324


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