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Filed in Clerk's Office <br /> BILL NO. 41-26 <br /> Jul 7, 2026 <br /> ORDINANCE NO. <br /> Bianca Tirado <br /> City Clerk. South Bend, IN <br /> AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, <br /> INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 20,ARTICLE 3 OF THE SOUTH BEND <br /> MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE DEFINITIONS,PROCEDURES,AND <br /> ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS RELATING TO ABANDONED VEHICLES <br /> STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT <br /> The Common Council finds that abandoned vehicles present risks to public health, safety, <br /> and welfare, contribute to neighborhood deterioration, impede the orderly use of public rights-of- <br /> way and private property, and may create hazardous conditions affecting residents and visitors. <br /> The Council further finds that the City's abandoned vehicle regulations should be periodically <br /> updated to ensure consistency with Indiana law and to provide effective administrative tools for <br /> vehicle removal and disposition. <br /> The purpose of this ordinance is to revise and modernize the City's abandoned vehicle <br /> regulations by: (1) Clarifying the definitions applicable to abandoned vehicles and related terms; <br /> (2) Aligning local procedures with Indiana Code Chapter 9-22-1 governing abandoned motor <br /> vehicles; (3) Establishing clear standards for addressing vehicles abandoned on public property, <br /> public rights-of-way, and private property; (4) Providing effective procedures for notice, towing, <br /> storage,removal, and disposal of abandoned vehicles and for the recovery of associated costs; (5) <br /> Preserving neighborhood appearance and property values by addressing vehicles that are <br /> mechanically inoperable, dismantled, improperly stored, or otherwise abandoned; and (6) <br /> Clarifying statutory exceptions applicable to certain classes of vehicles,including antique,historic, <br /> military, and specialty vehicles. <br /> It is the intent of the Common Council that these provisions be interpreted and administered <br /> in a manner that promotes public safety, protects property rights, supports neighborhood <br /> revitalization efforts, and provides the City with efficient and legally compliant mechanisms for <br /> addressing abandoned vehicles throughout the community. <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South <br /> Bend,as follows: <br /> SECTION I. Chapter 20, Article 3 of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be amended as <br /> follows: <br /> Page 1 of 5 <br />