42-26 Amending Section 20-48 of the South Bend Municipal Code Concerning Improper Vehicle Parking

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Filed in Clerk's Office BILL NO. 42-26 Jul 7, 2026 ORDINANCE NO. Bianca Tirado City Clerk. South Bend, IN AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING SECTION 20-84 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING IMPROPER VEHICLE PARKING STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The Common Council finds that vehicles parked on sidewalks, alleys, tree lawns, public rights-of-way, and other unauthorized locations may obstruct pedestrian travel, impede accessibility, interfere with traffic visibility, damage public infrastructure,hinder access to private property, and create hazards for the public. The purpose of this ordinance is to clarify and strengthen the City's parking regulations by: (1)Establishing clear standards identifying locations where parking is prohibited in order to protect public safety and preserve access to streets, sidewalks, alleys, driveways, and parking facilities; (2) Protecting pedestrian mobility and accessibility by prohibiting the obstruction of public sidewalks and other public ways; (3)Preventing damage to tree lawns,unimproved portions of the public right-of-way, and other public property; (4) Promoting compliance with applicable zoning and land use regulations governing vehicle parking; (5) Ensuring that approved driveways and parking lot approaches remain accessible to property owners, occupants, emergency responders, service providers, and the public; and(6) Establishing a progressive penalty structure designed to encourage prompt correction of continuing violations and deter repeat violations. It is the intent of the Common Council that these regulations be applied in a manner that promotes public safety, accessibility, neighborhood appearance, protection of public infrastructure, and the orderly use of public rights-of-way while providing clear notice of prohibited parking practices and the consequences for continuing violations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 20,Article 6, Section 20-84 of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be amended as follows: Sec. 20-84. Parking on sidewalk, alley or tree lawn. a. No person shall park any vehicle in any of the following locations: 1. On or blocking a public sidewalk, 2. In a public alley, 3. In the tree lawn between a public sidewalk and a curb, Page 1 of 2