Standards and Guidelines 2023-0607

Home Browse Search

City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 7 Residential Standards: Accessibility General understanding and approach Access to historic buildings for everyone regardless of ability is an important project goal for all sites . Owners of historic properties making changes for accessibility should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and other accessibility laws, while also preserving the integrity of the character-defining features of their buildings and sites. Special provisions for historic buildings exist in the law that allow some alternatives in meeting the ADA standards . Find out more about Accessibility Standards here . When an addition is required to allow for accessibility, refer to New Construction and Additions to historic buildings section here . What is your project? Adding a ramp Accessibility projects that involve adding a ramp should: • Create an accessibility solution that respects character-defining features and spaces of a building and site . • Materials proposed for the ramp should be complementary to the existing building—such as using masonry for buildings that are masonry and wood where the building is wood . • Ramps should be constructed in a manner that is reversible avoiding removal of historic materials that could not be returned if the ramp is moved or eliminated . • If access to the front door is not possible due to the building’s historic design or site limitations, the accessible entrance should be equally public . • New accessible entrances should be visually unobtrusive and complement the building’s design and materials . Modifying sidewalks and other walkways • Projects should consider modification of sidewalks by elevating the grade a few inches, where possible, to eliminate a step to provide an accessible entry . Adding railings to existing stairs Projects that propose to add new railings: • New handrails should be designed with balusters and handrails that are consistent with the design of the building . • Materials should be reflective of the building. • New handrails on existing steps should match existing historic railings on other parts of the building . The following is not recommended and generally not approved by the Commission: • Removing a historic porch or stoop to install a ramp . • Removing and/or replacing historic railings or balustrades with new . Residential Standards Accessibility Administratively Approvable Minor modification of sidewalks to allow step free access to the frontdoor or other accessible entrance and development of an accessible site route. Return to the Table of Contents