Standards and Guidelines 2023-0607

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 47 Commercial Standards: Fences and Retaining Walls Install a new retaining wall • Preserve historic grading features of a site avoiding changing the grade by more than 12” and only when required to accommodate a drainage or other physical problem . • Any grade changes need to take into consideration impact to adjacent sites and the overall character of the District . • New walls should be compatible with the historic character of the property and district and be constructed out of materials that match the building to which it is related . Walls should be not more than four feet tall and include a masonry cap . The following is not recommended and generally not approved by the Commission: • Chain link fences – including those with artificial grass or other covering. • Vinyl fencing . Return to the Table of Contents Heads Up It is likely that other permits or variances are required from the City for projects in this section . For more information go here .