39-26 Repealing Chapter 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code Entitled Responsible Animal and Pet Ownership Care and Control Regulations, and Replacing it With a New Chapter 5 Entitled Animal Care Regulations and Welfare Enforcement

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Filed in Clerk's Office Jul 7, 2026 BILL NO.39-26 Bianca Tirado ORDINANCE NO. City Clerk, South Bend, IN AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,REPEALING CHAPTER 5 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL AND PET OWNERSHIP CARE AND CONTROL REGULATIONS,AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW CHAPTER 5 ENTITLED ANIMAL CARE REGULATIONS AND WELFARE ENFORCEMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT Chapter 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code provides the regulations governing the operations of the South Bend Animal Resource Center (SBARC), as well as animal care and welfare throughout the City. The proposed ordinance makes several key changes to the existing language of Chapter 5, including improvements to readability and definitions, clarifications to processes and requirements, improvements to cohesion between ordinance language and standard practice, and emphasizes focus on animal welfare and public safety. Improvements to readability were made throughout the Chapter, ensuring clarity for residents as to City requirements and processes. The definitions contained in Chapter 5 were also streamlined to eliminate definitions no longer used in the Chapter,include definitions in-line where terms were used only once, and improve readability of remaining definitions. In connection with the improvements to readability mentioned above, this ordinance also includes more detail in some areas to clarify processes and requirements where needed. For example, this ordinance clearly explains the due process provided to residents when they are involved with a matter heard by the Animal Welfare Commission(AWC). Additionally,this ordinance ensures that ordinance language matches the current practices to avoid confusion for residents. It also standardizes language to refer to the City or to SBARC, rather than to particular divisions, individuals, or positions. Finally,this ordinance emphasizes SBARC's continued focus on animal welfare and public safety. While ensuring that enforcement remains strong for existing ordinance violations, this ordinance also refines the existing animal and owner designations to more clearly fit the challenges facing each category. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,as follows: 1