HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2026 FINAL PacketOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
INTEGRITY | SERVICE | ACCESSIBILITY
Jasmine Jackson Matthew Neal Veronica Pitt-Payne
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / DIRECTOR OF POLICY DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
MEMORANDUM
TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
FROM: BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
SUBJECT: COMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE
The following Common Council Committee Meetings have been scheduled for Monday, January 12,
2026:
Council Chambers
3rd Floor City Hall
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
The Council Chambers will be Open to the Public. Members of the Public may Attend this Meeting
Virtually via Microsoft Teams Meeting app here: https://tinyurl.com/011226CC
4:00 P.M. HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIRPERSON, TOMAS MORGAN
1.Bill No. 78-25 - Amending Chapter 14, Article 15, Section 14-175 to Increase the
Number of Public Safety Officers Available at No Cost to Event Organizers
4:15 P.M. ZONING & ANNEXATION CHAIRPERSON, DR. DAVIS
1.Bill No. 80-25 - Amending Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code to Make
Miscellaneous Changes for Clarification and Consistency to Simplify Development
Process and to Achieve Higher Quality Development (Third Substitute)
Council President Canneth Lee has called an Informal Meeting of the Council which will commence
immediately after the adjournment of the Zoning & Annexation Committee Meeting.
INFORMAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT, C. LEE
1. Discussion of Council Agenda
2.Update and Announcements
3. Adjournment
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
cc: Mayor James Mueller
Committee Meeting List
Media
NOTICE FOR HEARING AND SIGHT IMPAIRED PERSONS
Auxiliary Aid or Other Services may be Available upon Request at No Charge.
Please give Reasonable Advance Request when Possible
1
SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL
M EETING A GENDA
Monday, January 12, 2026
7:00 P.M.
The South Bend Common Council meeting will be open to the public
at the Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of the South Bend City Hall, 215 S. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
or available by way of a virtual meeting using the Microsoft Teams Meeting
App. Public access to the meeting can be granted by this Microsoft Teams Link:
https://tinyurl.com/SBCC011226
1. INVOCATION
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL
4. REPORT FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES
DECEMBER 8, 2025
JANUARY 5, 2026 (ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING)
5. SPECIAL BUSINESS
2026 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL SWEAR-IN CEREMONY
6. REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICES
7. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TIME:_____
BILL NO.
78-25 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14,
ARTICLE 15, SECTION 14-175 TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SOUTH
BEND POLICE OFFICER TIME INCLUDED AS AN ABSORBED EXPENSE
FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
2
80-25 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE
SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES
FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY TO SIMPLIFY
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY
DEVELOPMENT (THIRD SUBSTITUTE)
8. BILLS ON THIRD READING TIME:______
BILL NO.
78-25 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14,
ARTICLE 15, SECTION 14-175 TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SOUTH
BEND POLICE OFFICER TIME INCLUDED AS AN ABSORBED EXPENSE
FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
80-25 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE
SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES
FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY TO SIMPLIFY
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY
DEVELOPMENT (THIRD SUBSTITUTE)
9. RESOLUTIONS
BILL NO.
25-47 A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON SNAP RECIPIENTS AND
CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY
MEASURES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD
INSECURITY
10. BILLS ON FIRST READING
BILL NO.
01-26 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, REPEALING, SUPERSEDING AND
REPLACING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-10.1 BY ESTABLISHING
THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES
COMMITTEE AND ELIMINATING THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURES FOR
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST COUNCIL MEMBERS
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. NEW BUSINESS
3
13. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
14. ADJOURNMENT TIME: _________
Notice for Hearing and Sight Impaired Persons
Auxiliary Aid Or Other Services Are Available Upon Request At No Charge.
Please Give Reasonable Advance Request When Possible.
In the interest of providing greater public access and to promote greater transparency, the South Bend Common Council agenda has been translated
into Spanish. All agendas are available online from the Council’s website, and also in paper format in the Office of the City Clerk, 4th Floor County-City
Building. Reasonable efforts have been taken to provide an accurate translation of the text of the agenda, however, the officiate is the English
version. Any discrepancies which may be created in the translation are not binding. Such translations do not create any right or benefit, substantive or
procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the Common Council or the City of South Bend, Indiana.
701 W. Sample Street t>. Phone 574/235-9311
South Bend, IN 46601-2890 1 Fax 574/ 235-0268
Isn;_
Filed in Clerk's Office
City of South Bend James Mueller, Mayor
Nov 19, 2025
South Bend Police Department
Scott A. Ruszkowski, Chief of Police
Bianca Iliad()
City Clerk South Bend, IN
RE: Bill No. Increasing the Number of Public Safety Officers Available at No Cost
to Event Organizer under Chapter 14, Article 15, Section 14-175
Dear President Lee:
Please find the enclosed bill requesting an increase in available public safety officers for
special event permit holder at zero cost to the event permit holder. The bill does not change
the substance of the ordinance as it only serves to increase the available hours of zero cost
public safety support from forty (40) hours to forty-eight (48) hours per event. The practical
impact of this change will allow for up to twelve (12) officers on site for no more than four (4)
hours per officer.This change should continue the City's efforts to support special events
throughout our community.
If you or any of the other Council members have questions concerning the report or need
additional information, please feel free to call me at (574) 235-9817.
Sincerely,
Lt. Brad Rohrscheib
South Bend Police Department
Service Bravery Pride Dedication
78-25
Filed in Clerk's Office
Nov 19, 2025
BILL NO. 78-25
Bianca Firado
ORDINANCE NO.City Clerk. South Bend, IN
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 14,ARTICLE 15,SECTION 14-175 TO INCREASE
THE AMOUNT OF SOUTH BEND POLICE OFFICER TIME INCLUDED AS AN
ABSORBED EXPENSE FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
Chapter 14, Article 15, Sec. 14-175 of the South Bend Municipal Code provides
regulations for cost recovery for special events.
These regulations include the amount of City of South Bend personnel time which will be
included as an "absorbed expense" for Tier II and III events. Currently, Section 14-175 currently
includes forty(40) hours of South Bend police officer time as an absorbed expense.
It is desired to increase this amount to forty-eight(48)hours, in order to provide additional
support for events occurring in South Bend. It is anticipated that these hours will generally be
allocated as twelve(12) officers at four(4) hours each.
This ordinance is in the best interest of the City and its residents.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 14, Article 15, Sec. 14-175 shall be amended as follows:
a) The City will absorb a portion of the costs and expenses incurred by the City directly
related to a Tier II or Tier III "Non-profit special event" as defined in Section 14-159.
These absorbed expenses shall be equivalent to up to forty(-4 )forty-eight (48) hours
of South Bend police officer time, such as twelve (12) officers at four(4) hours each,
at each officer's base rate or overtime rate of pay depending on event schedule;plus up
to sixteen(16)hours of other City personnel time including traffic and lighting staff at
each person's base rate or overtime rate of pay depending on event schedule Any
additional staff needed will require full reimbursement from the organizer. The
prevailing, applicable salary ordinance approved by the Common Council for the year
in which the event occurs shall determine such cost equivalents.All expenses over and
above the costs and expense equivalents specified herein must be reimbursed to the
City by the non-profit organizer or sponsor of the event.
SECTION II. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after adoption by the
Common Council, approval by the Mayor, and any publication required by law.
1
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2025, at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado,City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2025,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana
2
City of South Bend
PLAN COMMISSION
November 26, 2025
Honorable Dr. Oliver Davis
3rd Floor, City Hall
South Bend, IN 4660 I
RE: Proposed Zoning Text Amendment #7
Dear Committee Chair Dr. Davis:
City Hall
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Suite 500
South Bend, IN 46601
(57 4) 235-7627
www.southbendin.gov/zoning
Filed in Clerk's Office
Nov 26, 2025
Bianca rira<lo City Clerk. , oulh Bend, IN
Enclosed is an Ordinance for a proposed Text Amendment to Chapter 21. The Common Council
of the City of South Bend, Indiana, adopted a new zoning ordinance for the City of South Bend
that went into effect on January I, 2020. Since its last amendment in September 2021, use of the
Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further clarification, correction, or revision.
Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant, resilient community while improving the
ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
Please include the attached Ordinance on the Council agenda for first reading at your December
8, 2025 Council meeting and set it for public hearing at your January 12, 2026 Council meeting.
The petition is tentatively scheduled for public hearing at the December 15, 2025 South Bend
Plan Commission meeting. The recommendation of the South Bend Plan Commission will be
forwarded to the Office of the City Clerk by noon on the day following the public hearing.
If you have any questions, please call our office at (574) 235-7627.
Sincerely,
Brian Killen
Zoning Administrator
Tim Corcoran
Planning Director
Brian Killen
Zoning Administrator
Francisco Fotia
Commission President
80-25
Filed in Clerk's Office
Nov 26, 2025
BILL NO. 80-25
Bianca Tirado
City Clerk. South Bend, IN
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO
MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY TO
SIMPLIFY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY
DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana,adopted a new zoning ordinance
for the City of South Bend that went into effect on January 1,2020. Since its adoption in
November 2019, use of the Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further
clarification, correction, or revision. Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant,
resilient community while improving the ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,
Indiana,as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions&
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(b)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Setbacks. A setback distance is measured perpendicularly from the
lot line to the closest exterior wall of a building's facade, exclusive of building
frontage type(e.g.,porch, stoop). A setback is measured from the greater of an
actual or proposed ctrcet right-of-way.
SECTION II. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(d)Building Form is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Building Height(Stories).
D) The Zoning Administrator may permit a single one-story shared
amenity space per building open only to building occupants and their
guests, having a gross floor area of no more than 25% of the gross floor
area of the floor below,and set back not to be visible from the street,
that shall not count as a story toward the maximum number allowed.
SECTION III. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(e) Building Components is
hereby amended as follows:
1) When a building component is allowed to be built into a minimum required
setback,it is called an encroachment and shall meet all regulations for building
components per Section 21-08.01. Where a contextual setback is applied, the
Zoning Administrator may allow additional building frontage type
encroachment.
SECTION IV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(f)Building Standards is
hereby amended as follows:
1) Facade Transparency.
B) Facade transparency percentages are calculated independently
for each floor on each facade.
B)(C)
RD) Upper floor transparency is calculated based on the total facade
area located between the surface of any floor to the surface of
the floor above it or, if there is no floor above, from the surface
of the floor to the surface of the roof. The Zoning Administrator
may reduce the required transparency on the top floor of a
building by up to 50% for designs consistent with the building's
architectural style.
j Building Width. Width is measured as the horizontal length of a building
facade measured parallel to a primary or secondary street. Building widths are
applied only to facades visible from a street.
A) For the Stacked Flats, Shop, and Mid-Rise/Tower building types:
i) Elevated hallway connections between structures that are set
back at least 20 feet from the front lot line shall not count
toward continuity of building width.
ii) The Zoning Administrator may permit an increase in the
maximum building width,when it is context appropriate and/or
to maximize block utilization, up to 25% if the building design
and articulation meet the intent of the ordinance.
SECTION V. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S 1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.03 Ul Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g) Building
Components are hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony No ^"Qwed 5'
SECTION VI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor- Front Facade 10%
Upper Floor-Corner Facade 5%
SECTION VII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section
21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.03 UI Urban
Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2,
subsection(j) Landscape; Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection (j)
Landscape; Section 21-03.06 OF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(j) Landscape;
Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.08 DT
Downtown, subsection (j)Landscape are hereby amended as follows:
An existing tree of at least 2 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION VIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor-Front& Corner Facade 15%
SECTION IX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Dwelling, 2 Units Special Exception Allowed subject to Conditions with Use
Specific Standards.
SECTION X. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(d)Building Placement is
hereby amended as follows:
Lot Width '- 30' min.
Building Setbacks Frone 2 Sides;
Lot width may be reduced to 20' for attached dwellings.
42
23
SECTION XI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(g)Building Components;
Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(g)Building Components are
hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments(max.)Rear
Balcony Named 3'
SECTION XII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(f) Building Form is
hereby amended as follows:
Building Design
Total Non-Residential or Non-Civic Use(max.) 5,000 square feet
Total Retail & Service Use(max.) 2,500 square feet
SECTION XIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
SECTION XIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby amended
as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection (d)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
Lot Size
Lot Width 20' 15' min
SECTION XVI. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.01 OS Open Space, subsection(i)Landscape; Section 21-04.02 U
University, subsection(i) Landscape; Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection(i)
Landscape; Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(i)Landscape are hereby amended as
follows:
An existing tree of at least 2r- 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION XVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection (b)Principal Uses; Section 21-04.04 I
Industrial, subsection(b)Principal Uses is hereby amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection (f)Building Components is hereby
amended as follows:
Main entrances shall be prominently located and visible from the primary street or
open space-; the Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for any
Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing,& Processing; Transportation; or Utilities use
if not needed to meet the intent of this ordinance.
SECTION XIX. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(g)Building Standards is hereby amended
as follows:
Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the basement
level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished CMUs or CMUs that
look like brick or stone are allowed.
SECTION XX. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 5 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(d)
Uses is hereby amended as follows:
fillDwelling.Ancillary
A) In a SI,U 1, or U2 district, the owner(s)of the lot upon which the
ancillary dwelling is located shall occupy at least one of the dwelling
units on the premises.
fit21
SECTION XXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(f)
Building Standards is hereby amended as follows:
2) Building Materials
D7 eScufity.devices s ,ch olid metals .ity gate etal ro11_.townC
dower oiling sh„tters nd link/ rill ,items Tall not be ifistalled
on front or corner facades, except where such devices arc at least 50
f (D)
E)
F1
G)
SECTION XXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,Table 21-06A: Principal Uses by Zoning District is hereby
amended as follows:
Residential U1
Dwelling, 2 Units SpecialSpeeial-E-xeeption Allowed subject to Conditions with
Use Specific Standards
Retail& Service DT
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
Retail& Service C,I
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/HookahNaping clewed Special Exception
SECTION XXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(j)Residential is hereby amended as follows:
1) Dwelling, Ancillary
A) Standards:
ii) In a Si or Ul district, the owner(s)of the lot upon which the
aneillafy-dwelling-is-loeateil-shell-eoeupat-least-ene-of-the
Il
iv)(iii)
Iv
viiXvi)
3) Dwelling,2 Units
A) Standards:
i) In a Ul district, a conversion to add one dwelling unit, other
than an ancillary dwelling, to an existing structure shall require
a special exception.
ii
SECTION XXIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,subsection(k) Retail & Services is hereby amended as
follows:
7) Drive-Through Facility
A) Standards:
iii) A drive-through facility shall not cause any interference to a
public right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along
sidewalks or walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to
required parking spaces.
vii) n .]rive through f
cility
shall pr ide suffcient r m f rat
le, s* o aiting after exiting thela t. ck
facility.
viii)(vii)
ixXviii)
x-} ix
11) Gas/Fuel Station
A) Standards:
i) Gasoline-Fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall not be
located within any minimum required setback. In a NC or DT
district,gasoline fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall
not be located in an established front or corner yard.
ii) Gas/fuel stations shall not cause any interference to a public
right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along sidewalks or
walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to required parking
spaces.
iii) The site design of any gas/fuel station shall provide for the safe
and efficient ingress and egress to the site for fuel delivery
vehicles and an area for such fuel delivery vehicles to park
while unloading which does not interfere with or impede ingress
or egress to or from any public street, required parking spaces,
or any gasoline fuel sales area.
vi) A gas/fuel station canopy shall be consistent in design and
materials with the primary building, shall be neutral colored,
and shall have masonry support columns.
21) Vehicle Sales or Rental
A) Standards:
iii) A vehicle sales or rental use shall have a minimum lot size of
120' by 180'.
iii)(iv)
iv)(
vi
vi)(vii)
vii viii
viii ix
ix)(
22) Vehicle Service, Major
A) Standards:
ii) No partially dismantled,wrecked, or unregistered vehicle shall
be stored outdoors for more than 14 30 days, except in an I
district, where the maximum time shall be 30 days.
SECTION XXV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(k) Retail& Services, Gas Station diagrams are
hereby amended as follows:
Gas/fuel station layout for an urban location
Gas/fuel station layout for a suburban location
SECTION XXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(1)Transportation is hereby amended as follows:
4) Parking Lot
A) Standards:
i) See Section 21-07.03(ljgZ for parking structure regulations.
SECTION XXVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(b)Applicability is hereby
amended as follows:
01 Any structure that is less than 4 square feet in area and 9 feet in height,
including, but not limited to, little free libraries and electric vehicle charging
stations, shall not be considered an accessory structure.
SECTION XXVIII. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(e) Maximum Number of
Accessory Buildings is hereby amended as follows:
A lot in a S l, S2,U 1, U2,U3, or OF district shall not have more than one detached
accessory building;however,the following structures shall not count for the purposes
of this calculation.
2) Any structure that is less than 1 square feet in arcs and 6 feet in height.
L21
01 A pergola of 200 square feet or less that is no taller than the eave of the
primary structure or 18', whichever is less.
SECTION XXIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards is hereby amended as follows:
4) Chickens, Chicken Coops, and Chicken Pens
C) Construction
i) The chicken coop shall be enclosed with solid material on all
sides and have a solid roof and door(s). The coop shall be at
least 18 inches high, and provide at least 4-2 square foot of floor
area per chicken. Traditional building materials shall be used.
Doors shall be constructed so that they can shut and lock. Vents,
covered with wire,will be placed as necessary for adequate
ventilation. The coop shall be impermeable to rodents,wild
birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
12) Home Occupations
A) Standards
i) The home occupation shall be located within a fully enclosed
building owned or occupied by the resident of the site..-
iii) No more than one client may be served or instructed at a time.
Clients may not be served or instructed before 7:00 a.m. or after
9:00 p.m.
vi) There shall be no additional or separate entrance to the primary
dwelling facing the street for the purpose of conducting the
home occupation.
B) Prohibited Home Occupations.The following uses, by the nature of
the investment or operation, have a pronounced tendency, once started,
to rapidly increase beyond the limits specified above for home
occupations and impair the use,value and quiet enjoyment of adjacent
residential properties. Therefore, the following uses spesifted-belew
and other similar or comparable uses shall not be permitted as home
occupations: Bar/Tavern/Restaurant; Freight/Trucking/Shipping;
Industrial(any);Medical/Dental Clinic; Vehicle Service(any); and
Veterinary Clinic, Kennel,or Stable.
i) Antique, Book or Gift Shop
ii) Appliance Repair, large or small
iii) Barber Shop /Beauty Shop
iv) Bicycle Repair or Service
v) Dance, Yoga,or Exercise Studio
vi) Dental Office or Clinic
vii) Freight, Trucking or Shipping
viii) T a .., Nleiyer Ro r Serviee
ix) Medical Office or Clinic
x) Painting of Vehicles,Trailers, Boats, etc.
xii) Private Schools with Organized Classes,
i) Rest, nt E t: r_Dr nk„
ng Establish.., nts
Ex-iv-)-14ftholstefing
xv-)--Tele*isiewer-Radie-Repaif
X..i) Tool er Equipment Dentalmot''
xvii) Teeline Weldin r Machine_Shep
it Vehicle,Re
xix) Veterinary Clinic, Kennel, or Stable
C) Permitted Home Occupations.By way of example, the following
uses, when conducted in compliance with the conditions set forth above,
qualify as permitted home occupations: Animal Care Establishment(i.e., Pet
Grooming); Childcare Home as defined by IC 12-7-2-28.6; Food Preparation
as defined in IC 16-42-5.3;Personal Care& Services,including, but not
limited to Baking. Barber/Beauty Shop, and Teaching/Tutoring(including
musical instruments, dance,yoga); and Professional Offices.
i) Artist's,Musician's, or Writer's Studio
ii)
balker., f eility)
iii) Childcare Home as defined by IC 12 7 2 28.6
iv) Data-Pzocesr er Wor Prd
ocessngr..
r cTransriptionrySeicesi
v) Desr makin. T,(;llinery Sew Tr
ailoring
vi) Home School, including Cottage Schools
vii) Personal Office
Tutorin ing l in
when-limited4e-ene-pup44-at-a-tinie
ix) Internet Sales, exclusively online
24) Solar Energy System
A) Standards:
v) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to a
maximum height of 42 18 feet. Power transmission lines from a
ground mounted solar energy system to any structure shall be
located underground, if possible, and shall be completely
shielded against shock hazard.
SECTION XXX. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards,(27) Trash Containers is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
27) Trash and Recvcline Containers
Designated outdoor storage areas and equipment used to collect refuse and
recvclables.
A) Standards
i) Any trash or recycling container or combination of containers
exceeding 36 cubic feet in capacity shall be placed on an
impervious surface and screened on all sides by a building or a
solid-walled enclosure not less than 6 feet in height nor more
than 10 feet in height above grade and equipped with an opaque
screen gate.
ii) The solid-walled portion of the enclosure shall be similar in
design and materials to those of the building facade and shall be
built to grade. Fences shall not be considered as a solid wall,
and chain link fences with slats shall not be used as gate
material.
iii) Gates or doors of the enclosure shall be kept completely closed
except when refuse is being added or removed.
iv) Building foundation landscape, designed per Section 21-
09.01(m), shall be installed along any sides of the enclosure not
screened by a building.
v) The Zoning Administrator, upon request by an applicant, shall
have the authority to approve an alternate design subject to the
provisions below, as long as the intent of the ordinance is met.
a. Enclosure, material, and landscaping requirements may
be reduced or waived if the enclosure is adjacent to and
accessed from an alley and is not visible from a street.
b. An opaque fence may be used in place of a solid wall if
the enclosure is located in an established rear yard or in
a side yard not visible from a street and is designed so
that refuse cannot leak or blow under it.
c. Landscaping may be reduced or waived if the enclosure
is located in an established rear yard or in a side yard not
visible from a street.
SECTION XXXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (e)Duration is hereby amended
as follows:
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section-, a temporary use, building or
structure shall be permitted for a period not to exceed one year. Except as specifically
provided otherwise in this section, the improvement location permit, if required, may
be renewed one or more times by the Zoning Administrator, for good cause shown, for
an additional period(s)not to exceed a total of three years beyond the original
expiration date.
SECTION XXXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (j)Regulations for Mobile
Classrooms is hereby amended as follows:
1) Mobile classrooms shall be for use within the following Civic &
Institutional Use types: College/University, Religious Institution, School, Pre-
K/Primarv/Secondary;of and
SECTION XXXIII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(k)Regulations for Temporary
Seasonal Retail Sales is hereby amended as follows:
2) T di t t .,t,,. off st- et p rI o ed of 3 off s Latreet
uset
2AA
SECTION XXXIV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access&Parking, subsection(d)Off-Street Vehicle
Parking Area Access is hereby amended as follows:
2) Whenever practical, if an alley is present and open to traffic,all vehicular
access shetrld shall take place from the alley. When an alley is not present,
access to corner lots from a secondary street is preferable to access from a
primary street.
4) Curb cuts shall not be allowed on lots of less than 30' in width. Under a shared
driveway condition,this minimum may be reduced to 15' if the lots sharing the
driveway are at least 30' in width combined.
4)01
041
SECTION XXXV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access&Parking, subsection(e) Design and
Construction of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Areas is hereby amended as follows:
1) Parking Area Layout.The layout of all off-street parking areas shall be in
compliance with Table 21-07B or the most recent version in the Architectural
Graphic Standards for a Level of Service"A"or"B."An alley adjacent to the
lot may be used to meet the requirement for drive aisle width. The Zoning
Administrator may reduce any measurement within Table 21-07B by up to one
1) foot on space-constrained lots.
SECTION XXXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.04 Off-Street Loading, subsection (e)Use of Loading Area is
hereby deleted in its entirety.
SECTION XXXVII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(c) Building Design is
hereby amended as follows:
2) Primary facades shall be oriented to a front lot line. Building designs that
orient main entrances so that they are not visible from the primary street are
prohibited. Any entrance on a side facade shall be visible from the street or
clearly identified using architectural features, awnings/canopies, or lighting.
The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for buildings oriented
to a common open space or for Agricultural: Industrial, Manufacturing, &
Processing: Transportation: and Utilities uses in an I district.
SECTION XXXVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(e)Building Materials
for New Construction—Front and Corner Facades is hereby amended as follows:
3) Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the
basement level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished
CMUs or CMUs that look like brick or stone are allowed.
7) Security devices such as solid metal security gates,metal roll-down windows,
coiling shutters, and link/grill systems shall not be installed on front or corner
facades,except where such devices are at least 50 percent transparent and
located wholly behind a window or door, when viewed from the street or open
space.
7)(8)
S)`) In a NC or DT district, the following additional regulations apply.
A)Vinyl siding is prohibited.
afe-at-least--50-peFeent-tr-ansparent-aftel-1.eeated-whelly-behind-a-windew
Of door when, ed f{om the public right of way .
G-)(B)Vents,air conditioners, and other utility elements,except where such
elements are enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured,or otherwise
not visible from the street, are prohibited as part of a front or corner
facade.
9)(U
Ii
SECTION XXXIX. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(g)Building
Components is hereby amended as follows:
5) Building Entrance. A point of ingress and egress for pedestrians into a
building,
SECTION XL. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (e)Detached House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S2, U3, OF districts 3 stories max.
All other districts 2.5 stories max.
SECTION XLI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (f)Cottage Court is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
U2 district 1.5 storyies max.
All other districts 2 stories max.
SECTION XLII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(g)Duplex is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S1,Ul, U2 districts 2.5 storyies max.
All other districts 3 stories max.
Building Width
S 1, S2 districts 60' max.
All other districts 48' max.
Number of Dwelling Units
Duplex per Lot
S 1,U 1 districts 1 max.
All other districts 2 max.
SECTION XLIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (h)Townhouse is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(i) Apartment House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION-XLV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (j) Stacked Flats is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height Fsteries3 2 min./5 stories max.
Building Width
S2, DT districts 2.401 250' max.
All other districts 129' 150' max.
SECTION XLVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(k) Shop is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Facade Height
OF district 12' min.
All other districts 16' min.
Building Width
DT district 250' max
All other districts 150' max
SECTION XLVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.03 Building Frontage Types, subsection(d) Stoop is
hereby amended as follows:
Standards
stoop shall be at least 18" „bove the sidewalk and shall directly connect to the
A
stoop shall have., ailing o all be .,t le st l 8" .,hove he .,.a;.,,,en
A stoop shall be at least 18" above the elevation of the city sidewalk achieved by
building an elevated stoop and/or building on an elevated lot.
A stoop shall connect to the city sidewalk directly or via a walkway or driveway.
A stoop shall have a railing, a wall, a covering,or be elevated at least 18" above an
adjoining driveway or walkway.
SECTION XLVIII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(d)Minimum Plant Material Sizes at
Time of Planting is hereby amended as follows:
Table 21-09A: Minimum Size at Time of Planting
Plant Category Minimum Size
Deciduous Shade Tree 2 '/:" 1.75"caliper at 6"above ground
Deciduous Ornamental Tree 4 442 1.5"caliper at 6"above ground
SECTION XLIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, is hereby amended as follows:
Ground Cover
In a front yard, corner yard, or tree lawn, ground cover shall include, but is not
limited to, grasses; natural vegetated ground covers: preserved existing natural
vegetation(e.g., thickets); or mulch. Artificial turf or similar synthetic
material shall not be used.
h)
b)(i)
i)(k)
1)(l)
4) The use of artificial turf for games courts or athletic fields if other
alternatives are not feasible. Any approval to allow artificial turf must
be noted in the landscape plan.
Wm)
f.m4(n)
SECTION L. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(1) Streetscape Trees is hereby
amended as follows:
4) General Requirements
C) Streetscape trees shall consist of native,deciduous shade trees and be
selected from the recommended list of tree species for South Bend_iffid
Trees must be eptffeved granted a permit by the City Forester.
SECTION LI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection (n)Landscape Buffer is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Applicability
Table 21-09B: Buffers Required by Use
Uses Standards
Gas/Fuel Station 21-06.01(k)(11)
SECTION LII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.02 Fences& Walls, subsection (c) Height is hereby amended as
follows:
f A fence, greater than 50%open,providing safety at School, Pre-
K/Primary/Secondary and Day Care Center uses may be erected to a maximum
of 6 feet in height, irrespective of the above standards, to the extent determined
by the Zoning Administrator.
SECTION LIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.05 Clear Sight Area, subsection(a)Clear Sight Area
Requirements is hereby amended as follows:
1) Except in a NC or DT district,no building, structure, or improvement,
including landscape, shall be erected,placed, planted,or maintained so as to
interfere with a clear sight area located between the heights of 3 feet and 10
feet above the crown of a street, driveway,or alley. A clear sight area shall be
established for all streets and alleys,whether public or private.
SECTION LIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.01 General Provisions, Table 21-10A Allowed Temporary Signs is hereby
amended as follows:
Temporary Signs for a Non-Residential Use
Total Sign Surface Area
S 1, S2, U 1, U2, or U3 district 24 32 square feet max. total for all signs
per street frontage
SECTION LV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.02 Exempt Signs, subsection(a)Exempt Signs is hereby amended as follows:
10) Parking Lot Directional and Information Sign
B) S 1, S2,U1,U2,U3, UF, and NC Districts—signs shall not exceed 4
square feet in surface area,Of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
C) DT, OS,U and C Districts—signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in
surface area,Of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
13) Window Sign. One window sign per non-residential use provided it does not
exceed 4 square feet
SECTION LVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.04 Sign Measurement, subsection(b) Sign Height is hereby amended as
follows:
Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the street-grade-at average
natural ground level within 2 feet of the base of the sign or sign structure, to the
highest point of the sign or sign structure.
SECTION LVII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Signs,
Section 21-10.05 On-Premise Signs, subsection (d)On-Premise Signs: Building Signs is
hereby amended as follows:
5) Roof Signs
A) Roof signs are only permitted in the NC,of DT,or I districts and shall
only be installed on a building with a flat roof.
7) Wall Signs
C)
unless to stablishm „t ext nds to rt,e „d sto abo .No
portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet wall of
a building with a flat roof or above the lower eave of a building with a
pitched roof.
SECTION LVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.07 Off-Premise Signs, subsection (d)Advertising Signs is hereby amended as
follows:
1) Sign Surface Area for Advertising Signs
A) Limited Access Highways and Arterial Streets-The maximum sign
surface area for advertising signs oriented toward a limited access
highway shall be 672 square feet.
SECTION LIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 12
Administration, Section 21-12.07 Development Review Procedures, subsection(f)Common
Procedures is hereby amended as follows:
4) Use Variance Procedures
A) Applicability
44 When. mbinationff'o a lot ; et allowed o—theiTJ
b
4n-anif-ef-tbe-abow-eonditionsra A use variance cannot be
sought if a use could be permitted with a special exception.
E) Procedure
When a combination of uses on a lot is not allowed in any of the
zoning districts, the property should be zoned into the district
that permits the most of those proposed uses and a use variance
sought for the balance of uses.
i )(iii)
O(iv)
vixvii)
viixviii)
viii ix
ix)(j
f} xi
SECTION LX. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 13
Nonconformities& Enforcement, Section 21-13.01 Nonconformities, subsection(j)
Reconstruction,Remodeling, or Enlargement of a Legally Established Nonconforming 1 Unit
Dwelling or 2 Unit Dwelling is hereby amended as follows:
2) Remodeled or enlarged, provided that such remodeling or additions comply
with the development standards of the applicable district related to maximum
building coverage, minimum setbacks (except as set forth in(1)below),
maximum setbacks, and building height, and ^ff street parkin^
SECTION LXI. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by
the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Canneth J. Lee,Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2025,at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2025,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana
NO PLAN COM City Hall
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther Kin Jr. Blvd.
City of South Bendso Suite500
South Bend,IN 46601
PLAN COMMISSION 574) 235-7627
Ae1.19400 www.southbendin.gov/zoning
December 8,2025
Filed in Clerk's Office
Honorable Dr. Oliver Davis
3rd Floor, City Hall Dec 8, 2025
South Bend, IN 46601 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk, South Bend, IN
RE: Proposed Zoning Text Amendment#7
Dear Committee Chair Dr. Davis:
Enclosed is an Ordinance for a proposed Text Amendment to Chapter 21. The Common Council
of the City of South Bend, Indiana,adopted a new zoning ordinance for the City of South Bend
that went into effect on January 1,2020. Since its last amendment in September 2021,use of the
Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further clarification,correction, or revision.
Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant, resilient community while improving the
ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
Please include the attached Ordinance on the Council agenda for first reading at your December
8,2025 Council meeting and set it for public hearing at your January 12, 2026 Council meeting.
The petition is tentatively scheduled for public hearing at the December 15,2025 South Bend
Plan Commission meeting. The recommendation of the South Bend Plan Commission will be
forwarded to the Office of the City Clerk by noon on the day following the public hearing.
If you have any questions, please call our office at(574)235-7627.
Sincerely,
Brian Killen
Zoning Administrator
Tim Corcoran Brian Killen Francisco Fotia
Planning Director Zoning Administrator Commission President
Filed in Clerk's Office
Dec 8, 2025
SUBSTITUTE BILL 'NO. 80-25
Bianca'firado
City Clerk, South Bend, IN
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY
TO SIMPLIFY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND
TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana,adopted a new zoning ordinance
for the City of South Bend that went into effect on January 1,2020. Since its adoption in
November 2019,use of the Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further
clarification, correction, or revision. Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant,
resilient community while improving the ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,
Indiana,as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions&
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(b)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Setbacks. A setback distance is measured perpendicularly from the
lot line to the closest exterior wall of a building's facade, exclusive of building
frontage type (e.g.,porch, stoop). A setback is measured from the greater of an
actual or proposed street right-of-way.
SECTION II. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(d)Building Form is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Building Height(Stories).
D) A single one-story shared amenity space per building shall not count as
a story toward the maximum number if it meets the following criteria:
i.Is open only to building occupants and their guests;
ii. Has a gross floor area of no more than 25% of the gross floor
area of the floor below:
iii. Is set back where it is not visible from the street; and
iv. Has no significant impact,as determined by the Zoning
Administrator, on surrounding residential uses in a S 1, U 1, or
U2 district.
SECTION III. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(e)Building Components is
hereby amended as follows:
1) When a building component is allowed to be built into a minimum required
setback.,it is called an encroachment and shall meet all regulations for building
components per Section 21-08.01. Where a contextual setback is applied, the
Zoning Administrator may allow additional building frontage type
encroachment.
SECTION IV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(f)Building Standards is
hereby amended as follows:
1) Facade Transparency.
B) Facade transparency percentages are calculated independently
for each floor on each facade.
f3-)Lci
ah Upper floor transparency is calculated based on the total façade
area located between the surface of any floor to the surface of
the floor above it or, if there is no floor above, from the surface
of the floor to the surface of the roof. The Zoning Administrator
may reduce the required transparency on the top floor of a
building by up to 50%for designs consistent with the building's
architectural style.
Building Width. Width is measured as the horizontal length of a building
facade measured parallel to a primary or secondary street. Building widths are
applied only to facades visible from a street.
A) For the Stacked Flats, Shop, and Mid-Rise/Tower building types:
i) Elevated hallway connections between structures that are set
back at least 20 feet from the front or corner facade shall not
count toward continuity of building width.
ii) The Zoning Administrator may permit an increase in the
maximum building width of up to 25%to fill out the lot
frontage when it is contextually appropriate and the building
design meets the intent of the ordinance.
SECTION V. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g) Building
Components; Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components are hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony Not Allowed 5'
SECTION VI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S 1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor-Front Facade 10%
Upper Floor-Corner Facade 5%
SECTION VII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S 1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section
21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(j) Landscape; Section 21-03.03 Ul Urban
Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2,
subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(j)
Landscape; Section 21-03.06 OF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(j)Landscape;
Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.08 DT
Downtown, subsection (j)Landscape are hereby amended as follows:
1 An existing tree of at least 22 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION VIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor- Front&Corner Facade 15%
SECTION IX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Dwelling, 2 Units Special eption Allowed subject to Conditions with Use
Specific Standards.
SECTION X. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(d)Building Placement is
hereby amended as follows:
Lot Width 1 30' min.
Building Setbacks Front4 Side 2
1 Lot width may be reduced to 20' for attached dwellings.
42
43
SECTION XI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(g)Building Components;
Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(g)Building Components are
hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments(max.)Rear
Balcony Net-allowed 3'
SECTION XII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(f) Building Form is
hereby amended as follows:
Building Design
Total Non-Residential or Non-Civic Use(max.) 5,000 square feet
Total Retail & Scrvicc Usc(max.) 2,500 square foot
SECTION XIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
SECTION XIV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection (c)Principal Uses is hereby amended
as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection(d)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
Lot Size
Lot Width 2 15' min
SECTION XVI. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.01 OS Open Space, subsection(i)Landscape; Section 21-04.02 U
University, subsection(i) Landscape; Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection(i)
Landscape; Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(i)Landscape are hereby amended as
follows:
An existing tree of at least 2. 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION XVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection (b)Principal Uses; Section 21-04.04 I
Industrial, subsection(b)Principal Uses is hereby amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(f)Building Components is hereby
amended as follows:
Main entrances shall be prominently located and visible from the primary street or
open space-; the Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for any
Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing,& Processing; Transportation; or Utilities use
if not needed to meet the intent of this ordinance.
SECTION XIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(g)Building Standards is hereby amended
as follows:
Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the basement
level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished CMUs or CMUs that
look like brick or stone are allowed.
SECTION XX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 5 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(d)
Uses is hereby amended as follows:
ffi Dwelling, Ancillary
A) In a SI or Ul district, the owner(s) of the lot upon which the ancillary
dwelling is located shall occupy at least one of the dwelling units on the
premises as their primary residence.
021
SECTION XXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(I)
Building Standards is hereby amended as follows:
2) Building Materials
4)-)
en-frent-w-eeFner-faeadesTexeept-where-sueh-cleviees-are-at-least--54
pereont tra.>sparency an,d located
wholly behind a now er,door
F)E)
F
SECTION XXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,Table 21-06A: Principal Uses by Zoning District is hereby
amended as follows:
Residential U1
Dwelling, 2 Units Speeiel-Exeeption Allowed subject to Conditions with
Use Specific Standards
Retail & Service DT
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
Retail & Service C,I
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(j)Residential is hereby amended as follows:
1) Dwelling,Ancillary
A) Standards:
ii) In a S 1 or U 1 district, the owncr(s)of the lot upon which the
dwelling units on the„
iii
iv
vii)fvi
3) Dwelling, 2 Units
A) Standards:
i) In a U1 district,a conversion to add one dwelling unit, other
than an ancillary dwelling, to an existing structure shall require
a special exception.
ii
SECTION XXIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(k) Retail& Services is hereby amended as
follows:
7) Drive-Through Facility
A) Standards:
iii) A drive-through facility shall not cause any interference to a
public right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along
sidewalks or walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to
fequifed parking spaces.
i) n dr thr ,.tom f ility shall ide ,fc nt f ..t
viiiXvii)
ix viii
fix
11) Gas/Fuel Station
A) Standards:
i) Gasoline-Fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall not be
located within any minimum required setback. In a NC or DT
district,gasoline fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall
not be located in an established front or corner yard.
ii) Gas/fuel stations shall not cause any interference to a public
right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along sidewalks or
walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to required parking
spaces.
iii) The site design of any gas/fuel station shall provide for the safe
and efficient ingress and egress to the site for fuel delivery
vehicles and an area for such fuel delivery vehicles to park
while unloading which does not interfere with or impede ingress
or egress to or from any public street, required parking spaces,
or any gasoline fuel sales area.
vi) A gas/fuel station canopy shall be consistent in design and
materials with the primary building, shall be neutral colored,
and shall have masonry support columns.
21) Vehicle Sales or Rental
A) Standards:
iii) A vehicle sales or rental use shall have a minimum lot size of
120' by 180'.
rii) iv
vi
vii
vii viii
fix)
22) Vehicle Service,Major
A) Standards:
ii) No partially dismantled,wrecked, or unregistered vehicle shall
be stored outdoors for more than 14 38 days, except in an I
district, where the maximum time shall be 30 days.
SECTION XXV. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,subsection(k)Retail&Services, Gas Station diagrams are
hereby amended as follows:
Gas/fuel station layout for an urban location
Gas/fuel station layout for a suburban location
SECTION XXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(1)Transportation is hereby amended as follows:
4) Parking Lot
A) Standards:
i) See Section 21-07.03( 0W for parking structure regulations.
SECTION XXVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(b)Applicability is hereby
amended as follows:
111 Any structure that is less than 4 square feet in area and 9 feet in height,
including,but not limited to, little free libraries and electric vehicle charging
stations, shall not be considered an accessory structure.
SECTION XXVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(e) Maximum Number of
Accessory Buildings is hereby amended as follows:
A lot in a Si. S2,U1, U2,U3, or OF district shall not have more than one detached
accessory building;however,the following structures shall not count for the purposes
of this calculation.
2) Any structure that is less than 4 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
Sj
131 A pergola of 200 square feet or less that is no taller than the eave of the
primary structure or 18',whichever is less.
SECTION XXIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards is hereby amended as follows:
4) Chickens, Chicken Coops, and Chicken Pens
C) Construction
i) The chicken coop shall be enclosed with solid material on all
sides and have a solid roof and door(s). The coop shall be at
least 18 inches high,and provide at least 4-2 square foot of floor
area per chicken. Traditional building materials shall be used.
Doors shall be constructed so that they can shut and lock. Vents,
covered with wire,will be placed as necessary for adequate
ventilation. The coop shall be impermeable to rodents,wild
birds,and predators, including dogs and cats.
12) Home Occupations
A) Standards
i) The home occupation shall be located within a fully enclosed
building owned or occupied by the resident of the site..-
iii) No more than one client may be served or instructed at a time.
Clients may not be served or instructed before 7:00 a.m. or after
9:00 p.m.
vi) There shall be no additional or separate entrance to the primary
dwelling facing the street for the purpose of conducting the
home occupation.
B) Prohibited Home Occupations.The following uses,by the nature of
the investment or operation, have a pronounced tendency,once started,
to rapidly increase beyond the limits specified above for home
occupations and impair the use,value and quiet enjoyment of adjacent
residential properties. Therefore, the following uses specified below
and other similar or comparable uses shall not be permitted as home
occupations: Bar/Tavem/Restaurant; Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales;
Freight/Trucking/Shipping; Industrial(any); Medical/Dental Clinic;
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping; Vehicle Service(any); and Veterinary Clinic,
Kennel, or Stable.
i) Antique, Book or Gift Shop
ii) Appliance Repair, large or small
iii) Barber Shop/Beauty Shop
iv) Bicycle Repair or Service
v) Dance, Yoga, or Exercise Studio
vi) Dental Office or Clinic
vii) Freight, Trucking or Shipping
ix) Medical Office or Clinic
x) Painting of Vehicles,Trailers, Boats, etc.
xii) Private Schools with Organized Clacks
xiv) Upholstering
xv) Television or Radio Repair
xix) Veterinary Clinic,Kennel, or Stable
C) Permitted Home Occupations.By way of example, the following
uses,when conducted in compliance with the conditions set forth above,
qualify as permitted home occupations: Animal Care Establishment(i.e., Pet
Grooming); Childcare Home as defined by IC 12-7-2-28.6; Food Preparation
as defined in IC 16-42-5.3; Personal Care& Services, including,but not
limited to Baking, Barber/Beauty Shop, and Teaching/Tutoring(including
musical instruments, dance,yoga); and Professional Offices.
i) Artist's, Musician's, or Writer's Studio
ii) Cake M king or Deeerati„g(„ot a
catering o al
baker., f
cility)
iii) Childcare Home as defined by IC 12 7 2 28.6
iv)
v) Dr-essmaking7Millinefyr
Sewing- Tr ailo
yi) Home School, : ludicng Cottag Schools
vii) Personal Office
he,, limited to pil t a time
ix) Internet Sales, exclusively online
24) Solar Energy System
A) Standards:
v) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to a
maximum height of 4-2 18 feet. Power transmission lines from a
ground mounted solar energy system to any structure shall be
located underground, if possible, and shall be completely
shielded against shock hazard.
SECTION XXX. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards,(27)Trash Containers is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
27) Trash and Recycling Containers
Designated outdoor storage areas and equipment used to collect refuse and
recyclables.
A) Standards
i) Any trash or recycling container or combination of containers
exceeding 36 cubic feet in capacity shall be placed on an
impervious surface and screened on all sides by a building or a
solid-walled enclosure not less than 6 feet in height nor more
than 10 feet in height above grade and equipped with an opaque
screen gate.
ii) The solid-walled portion of the enclosure shall be similar in
design and materials to those of the building facade and shall be
built to grade. Fences shall not be considered as a solid wall,
and chain link fences with slats shall not be used as gate
material.
iii) Gates or doors of the enclosure shall be kept completely closed
except when refuse is being added or removed.
iv) Building foundation landscape, designed per Section 21-
09.01(m), shall be installed along any sides of the enclosure not
screened by a building.
v) The Zoning Administrator,upon request by an applicant,shall
have the authority to approve an alternate design subject to the
provisions below, as long as the intent of the ordinance is met.
a. Enclosure, material, and landscaping requirements may
be reduced or waived if the enclosure is adjacent to and
accessed from an alley and is not visible from a street.
b. An opaque fence may be used in place of a solid wall if
the enclosure is located in an established rear yard or in
a side yard not visible from a street and is designed so
that refuse cannot leak or blow under it.
c. Landscaping may be reduced or waived if the enclosure
is located in an established rear yard or in a side yard not
visible from a street.
SECTION XXXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (e)Duration is hereby amended
as follows:
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section-, a temporary use, building or
structure shall be permitted for a period not to exceed one year. Except as specifically
provided otherwise in this section, the improvement location permit, if required,may
be renewed one or more times by the Zoning Administrator, for good cause shown, for
an additional period(s)not to exceed a total of three years beyond the original
expiration date.
SECTION XXXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(j) Regulations for Mobile
Classrooms is hereby amended as follows:
1) Mobile classrooms shall be for use by-a within the following Civic &
Institutional Use types: College/University, Religious Institution, School, Pre-
K/Primary/Secondary;of and
SECTION XXXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (k)Regulations for Temporary
Seasonal Retail Sales is hereby amended as follows:
2) In district. .,ho off st. et p .-
I. ed of 3 o_ff st. et
u$e-
37LL
44321
l G7LL1
SECTION XXXIV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access&Parking, subsection(d)Off-Street Vehicle
Parking Area Access is hereby amended as follows:
2) Whenever practical, if an alley is present and open to traffic,all vehicular
access should shall take place from the alley. When an alley is not present,
access to corner lots from a secondary street is preferable to access from a
primary street.
4) Curb cuts shall not be allowed on lots of less than 30' in width. Under a shared
driveway condition,this minimum may be reduced to 15' if the lots sharing the
driveway are at least 30' in width combined.
44315.),
5)01
4'3m
SECTION XXXV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access&Parking, subsection(e) Design and
Construction of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Areas is hereby amended as follows:
1) Parking Area Layout.The layout of all off-street parking areas shall be in
compliance with Table 21-07B or the most recent version in the Architectural
Graphic Standards for a Level of Service"A"or"B."An alley adjacent to the
lot may be used to meet the requirement for drive aisle width. The Zoning
Administrator may reduce any measurement within Table 21-07B by up to one
1) foot on space-constrained lots.
SECTION XXXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.04 Off-Street Loading, subsection (e)Use of Loading Area is
hereby deleted in its entirety.
SECTION XXXVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(c)Building Design is
hereby amended as follows:
2) Primary facades shall be oriented to a front lot line. Building designs that
orient main entrances so that they are not visible from the primary street are
prohibited. Any entrance on a side facade shall be visible from the street or
clearly identified using architectural features, awnings/canopies, or lighting.
The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for buildings oriented
to a common open space or for Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing, &
Processing; Transportation; and Utilities uses in an I district.
SECTION XXXVIII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(e) Building Materials
for New Construction—Front and Corner Facades is hereby amended as follows:
3) Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units(CMUs)above the
basement level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished
CMUs or CMUs that look like brick or stone are allowed.
O7 Security devices such as solid metal security gates,metal roll-down windows,
coiling shutters, and link/grill systems shall not be installed on front or corner
facades,except where such devices are at least 50 percent transparent and
located wholly behind a window or door, when viewed from the street or open
space.
7(8)
8)0 In a NC or DT district, the following additional regulations apply.
A)Vinyl siding is prohibited.
oiling shutters ,,,a d; n gates
aFe-at-least-544-pereent-transparent-ancl-leeated-whelly-behincl-a-windew
r door when, ed f em tt,e
public right of wa,> .
G)(B)Vents, air conditioners, and other utility elements, except where such
elements are enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured,or otherwise
not visible from the street, are prohibited as part of a front or corner
facade.
9)U
SECTION XXXIX. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(g) Building
Components is hereby amended as follows:
5) Building Entrance. A point of ingress and egress for pedestrians into a
building,
SECTION XL. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(e) Detached House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S2,U3, OF districts 3 stories max.
All other districts 2.5 stories max.
SECTION XLI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(f)Cottage Court is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
U2 district 1.5 storyies max.
All other districts 2 stories max.
SECTION XLII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (g)Duplex is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
Si,Ul, U2 districts 2.5 storyies max.
All other districts 3 stories max.
Building Width
S I, S2 districts 60' max.
All other districts 48' max.
Number of Dwelling Units
Duplex per Lot
Si.U1 districts 1 max.
All other districts 2 max.
SECTION XLIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(h)Townhouse is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLIV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (i)Apartment House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (j) Stacked Flats is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height(storics) 2 min./5 stories max.
Building Width
S2, DT districts 2-491 250' max.
All other districts 120! 150' max.
SECTION XLVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(k) Shop is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Facade Height
OF district 12' min.
All other districts 16' min.
Building Width
DT district 250' max
All other districts 150' max
SECTION XLVII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.03 Building Frontage Types, subsection(d) Stoop is
hereby amended as follows:
Standards
A s+...... ..h ll 4
e at 1......E 1 8" ..L.
oye the sidewalk and sh ll .1:....
ctly c ect to the
A stoop shall be at least 18" above the elevation of the city sidewalk achieved by
building an elevated stoop and/or building on an elevated lot.
A stoop shall connect to the city sidewalk directly or via a walkway or driveway.
A stoop shall have a railing, a wall,a covering, or be elevated at least 18"above an
adjoining driveway or walkway.
SECTION XLVIII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(d)Minimum Plant Material Sizes at
Time of Planting is hereby amended as follows:
Table 21-09A: Minimum Size at Time of Planting
Plant Category Minimum Size
Deciduous Shade Tree 2 '/2" 1.75" caliper at 6"above ground
Deciduous Ornamental Tree -1442 1.5"caliper at 6"above ground
SECTION XLIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, is hereby amended as follows:
Ground Cover
In a front yard,corner yard,or tree lawn, ground cover shall include, but is not
limited to, grasses; natural vegetated ground covers:preserved existing natural
vegetation(e.g., thickets): or mulch. Artificial turf or similar synthetic
material shall not be used.
e)(h)
h)(i)
ail
i)(k)
l)(1)
4) The use of artificial turf for games courts or athletic fields if other
alternatives are not feasible. Any approval to allow artificial turf must
be noted in the landscape plan.
H(m)
O(n)
fo3(p)
SECTION L. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(1) Streetscape Trees is hereby
amended as follows:
4) General Requirements
C) Streetscape trees shall consist of native,deciduous shade trees and be
selected from the recommended list of tree species for South Bend_and
Trees must be approved granted a permit by the City Forester.
SECTION LI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(n)Landscape Buffer is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Applicability
Table 21-09B: Buffers Required by Use
Uses Standards
Gas/Fuel Station 21-06.01(k)(11)
SECTION LII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.02 Fences& Walls, subsection(c)Height is hereby amended as
follows:
4) An-open fence more than 50%open enclosing a game court as defined by
Section 21-06.02(0(9)may be erected to a maximum of 12 feet in height,
irrespective of the above standards.
0.1 A fence more than 50%open providing safety at School,Pre-
K/Primarv/Secondary and Day Care Center uses may be erected to a maximum
of 6 feet in height, irrespective of the above standards,to the extent determined
by the Zoning Administrator.
SECTION LIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.05 Clear Sight Area, subsection(a)Clear Sight Area
Requirements is hereby amended as follows:
1) Except in a NC or DT district,no building, structure, or improvement,
including landscape, shall be erected,placed, planted, or maintained so as to
interfere with a clear sight area located between the heights of 3 feet and 10
feet above the crown of a street, driveway,or alley. A clear sight area shall be
established for all streets and alleys, whether public or private.
SECTION LIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.01 General Provisions, Table 21-10A Allowed Temporary Signs is hereby
amended as follows:
Temporary Signs for a Non-Residential Use
Total Sign Surface Area
S 1, S2,U 1, U2, or U3 district 24 32 square feet max. total for all signs
per street frontage
SECTION LV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.02 Exempt Signs, subsection(a)Exempt Signs is hereby amended as follows:
10) Parking Lot Directional and Information Sign
B) S 1, S2,U1,U2,U3, UF, and NC Districts—signs shall not exceed 4
square feet in surface area,OF nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
C) DT,OS,U and C Districts—signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in
surface area,of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
13) Window Sign. One window sign per non-residential use provided it does not
exceed 4 square feet
SECTION LVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.04 Sign Measurement, subsection(b) Sign Height is hereby amended as
follows:
Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the street-grade-at average
natural ground level within 2 feet of the base of the sign or sign structure, to the
highest point of the sign or sign structure.
SECTION LVII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Signs,
Section 21-10.05 On-Premise Signs, subsection (d)On-Premise Signs: Building Signs is
hereby amended as follows:
5) Roof Signs
A) Roof signs are only permitted in the NC,OF DT,or I districts and shall
only be installed on a building with a flat roof.
7) Wall Signs
C) No all xtend abo a tho n.io ills of tho „`l y,st
ll 1 f,+
nle
tl.
e stabl:shm nt xtends to the o nd sto abo. No
portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet wall of
a building with a flat roof or above the lower eave of a building with a
pitched roof.
SECTION LVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.07 Off-Premise Signs, subsection (d)Advertising Signs is hereby amended as
follows:
1) Sign Surface Area for Advertising Signs
A) Limited Access Highways The maximum sign
surface area for advertising signs oriented toward a limited access
highway shall be 672 square feet.
SECTION LIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 12
Administration, Section 21-12.07 Development Review Procedures, subsection(f)Common
Procedures is hereby amended as follows:
4) Use Variance Procedures
A) Applicability
ii)
A use variance cannot be
sought if a use could be permitted with a special exception.
E) Procedure
fl When a combination of uses on a lot is not allowed in any of the
zoning districts, the property should be zoned into the district
that permits the most of those proposed uses and a use variance
sought for the balance of uses.
ii
4i)(iii)
iv
v
vixvii)
vii)
viii)(ix)
ix)(
x) xi
xi xii
SECTION LX. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 13
Nonconformities&Enforcement, Section 21-13.01 Nonconformities, subsection (j)
Reconstruction,Remodeling, or Enlargement of a Legally Established Nonconforming 1 Unit
Dwelling or 2 Unit Dwelling is hereby amended as follows:
2) Remodeled or enlarged, provided that such remodeling or additions comply
with the development standards of the applicable district related to maximum
building coverage, minimum setbacks (except as set forth in(1)below),
maximum setbacks, and building height, and off street parking.
SECTION LXI. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by
the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2025,at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado,City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2025,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana
Filed in Clerk's Office
Zoning Ordinance Amendment#7 Dec 8,2025
Last Updated 12/5/2025
Bianca Tirado
General updates providing a clarification and/or correction Er an existing rule,such as a typographical,consistency.and cross reference revision are addressed in the following sections: City Clerk,South Bend IN
21-02.03(03);21-02.030)(1)(B-new(:21-05.02(fl(2)(D);21-06.01(k)(7)l0lil);21-06.01(l„3l(A)(II);21-06.021t)(12)(A)lil;21-06.03(el:21-06.03(1);21-06.031k);21-07.03(d112);21-07.04(e)
21-08.01(eg8gB);21-O8.O1(g)(5):21-08.02(h1(3);21-08.02(r131:21-09.01111W1(c):21-09.02(cM4):21-10.02(a)(10NB):21-10.02)ag1o)(C):21-10.07(d01)(A);21-12.07(f)(4RA);21-13.010)2)
Standard Ordinance Sections Item Proposed Change Rationale
21-06.010)(111A)11i) ADU Occupancy Requirement Eliminate owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs(everywhere except NNZO)Promote ancillary dwellings which are beneficial to the housingsupfxy and affordability.
21-06.02(b)(4)new EV Charging Station Update Exempts free libraries and EV charging stations from accessory structure rules Modernize rules to align with vehicle fueling options.
21-06.02(e) Maximum Number of Accessory Buildings Eliminates accessory building limits in commercial and industrial distrlds Allow for more functional land use and consistent with the character of non-residential districts.
21-06.02(e)12) EVChargig Station Update Exempts free libraries and EVchargng stations from accessory structure rules Modernize rules to align with vehicle fueUngoptions.
g 21-06.02(e113)new Accessory Buidungs Allow for Pergolas as long as criteria are met Avoids need for variances for this typical accessory type.
Z Avoids need for variances for typical permit requests and to promote renewable energy.Also aligns with accessoryS21-08.02(f)(24)(A)ty) Max height ground mounted solar energy system Increase max height ground mounted solar energy system from 12'to 18'
standards.
Rewrite of the trash and recycling encosure rules,adding allowable alternatives to
21-06.02(1)(27) Trash Enclosure
enclosure requirements when not visible from street
Provide clarity and allows for more cost-effective construction and administrative flexibility.
21-06A20)(4)(C)(I) Size of chicken coop 2sq ft minimum floor area per chicken In a coop Creates consistency with Chapter 5,Animal Welfare regulations.
21-02.03(d)(211D) BuildingStories and RooftopAllow Zoning Administrator to waive stories standard for rooftop ameNty spaces above4Spaces
stales,conditlonsapply
Allows for administrative flexibility and eliminates need for variance.
Allows ZoningAdminsrrator to Increase building frontage encroachment when a contextual
21-02.03(.3E1) Contextual Setback
setback Is applied AUoasfor contextual placement of building frontages.
n
Add a Building Width dehnl0on,Including a Zoning Admnistrator waiver for the max width of
L 21-02.03(f)(2)new Building VAdth definition
certain builtlirg types.
Improves user understanding by more clearly statingepsung rules for building standards.
u
5, 21-03.01(h) Facade transparency in S1 Adds facade transparency In Si-10%front,5%corner
0 23-03.02(h) Facade transparency in S2
Adds facade transparency In S2-10%from-gound,5%corner-grou nd,15%front 8 corner- Creates more appealing residential Wilding designs
upper
21-08.01(c)(2) Building Entrance-Industrial Allow Zoning Administrator to waNe front entrance requirement for I Industrial _Allows for flexibility in building design.
00
21-08.01(03) Facade Materials Allow CMUs that look like brick or stone
Improves user understanding by providing a clarification and/or correction to an edatlngrule.Also,allows for more
flexibility in use of currently available design materials.
Zoning Administrator can reduce the required transparency by 50%for certain top floor
21-02.03(f)(1)(C) Transparency-Half Story
designs conAstentwith the architectural style
Allows for administrative flexibilitywith regards to some common architectural styles.
21-03.01(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'hill
21-03.02(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'in S2
21-03.03(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'In Ul _-
Balcony Encroachment Removes an unnecessary restriction on building design.
21.03.04(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'In U2
21-03.05(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 3'In U3
21-03.06(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 3'In OF
21-04.0410 Building Entrance-Industrial Allow Zoning Administrator to waive front entrance requirement for some uses in I Industrial Allows for flexibility in Industrial building design.
n
21-04.04(g) Building Materials-Industrial Allow CMUs that look like brick or stone Creates more flexibility for industrial building design while malntalningguality.
H 21-08.02)e)(3) Building Height-Detached Home Allow detached homes In Si U3.and OF to3 stories
9 21-08.0211)(3) Building Height-Cottage Court Allow cottage courts to 2 stales in S2,UF,U3 Districts Allows for increased detached home heights consistent with district building standards.
Building Height-Duplex Allow duplexes in S2.U3,and OF to 3 stores
1O
21-08.02(g03) Building Width-Duplex Allows duplexes up to60'In S18 S2 Supports ease of duplex development on larger suburban lots.
Building Type-Duplex Allows a second duplex in all districts except S1 and UI Supports ease of development of duplexes.
Building Height-Stacked Flats Removes minimum height for stacked flats Removes an unnecessary restriction on building design.
21-08.020)(3)Increases S2 and DT Stacked Flats building width from 120'to 250,and all other districts to
Building VAdth-Stacked Flats
150'
Allay far flexibility In building design for elevator buildings and larger suburban lots.
21-08.02(k)(3) Building Width-Shop Increases DT Shop building widths how ISO'to 250 max Aligns better with the size of Downtown lots.
Building Type-Shop Reduces facade minimum height from 16'to 12'In UF Allows for district appropriate facade heights.
21-08.03(d)(2) Building Frontage Clarifies how a stoop is corrected and elevated to the sidewalk in relation to the parcel States rule more explicitly to meet ordinance intent.
u 21-03.03(0) US Lot Width 20'min.Footnote-"Lot Width minimum may be 20'fa attached dwellings Supports ease of development offor-sale duplexes in urban districts.
xa Creates more flexibility for non-residential development in UF.Eases reuse of existing neighborhood business
a-i 21-03.06(f) OF Max.Square Footage Increase total retail and service use area to 5000sf
building s.
L o 21-03.08(d) DT Minimum Lot Width Reduces DT minimum lot width to 15'Supports ease of development,especially for townhouses,in urban districts.
b e
21-05.02(g)(1)new NNZO Owner Occupancy Requirement Adds rule In S1,Ul that a property owner must live on premises when there is an ADU. Adds rule to NNZO duet°concerns over short term rentals.
21-03.010)(footnote 1)
21-03.02)J)(footnote 1)
21-03.03)j)(footnote 1)
21.03.04(J))fontnote 1)
21-03.05(j)(footnote 1)
21-03.060)(footnote 1)Revises existing tree caliper from 2'to 1.75"
21-03.07(1)(foomote l)
Trees Creates consistency with revised tree ordinance Chapter 19.
21-03.081j)(footnote 1)
21-04.01(J)(footnote 1)
21-04.020)(footnote 1)
21-04.031j((footnote 1)
21-04.S49)(footnote 1)
21-09.01(d)(iable 21-09A) Revises tree sizes-1.75"caliper new shade tree.1.5"caliper new ornamental tree
Adds ground cover requirement and prohibits use of artificial turf in areas seen from the
21-09.01(gl new Ground Cover
street,Including front/corner yard and tree lawn Clarifies that natural materials should be used for ground cover while allowing for administrative flendbility with regards
21-09.01(k)(4)new Alternate Landscape Plan Allow for use of artificial turfwith Zoning Administrator approval
to use of artificial tort.
21-09.02)c)(5)
Fence Heigh
Permits Zoning Administrator to allow 6'max fence height for schools and daycare centers Improves public safety for vulnerable populations.
21-09.05(ag1) Apply Clear Sight Area to tall fences at Intersection of alleys Supports Increased public safety.
ft 21-07.03(0)(4) Minimum Lot Width for Curb Cm Createsa 30'minimum lot width to get a curb cut(15'under a shared driveway condition) Ensures that the city does not have garage dominated streetscapes aret to minknize the need for curbcuts.
ri Y 21-07.03(e)11) Parking SpaceWldtris Allows Zoning Administrator to reduce parking dimensions Ito one foot Allows for design flexibility on smaller urban parcels.
21-03.07(c)Principal Uses
Change use name to Gas/Fuel Station
21-03.08(c)Pnncipal 115es
EV Charging Station Update Modernize rules to align with vehicle fueling options.
21-06.01(k)(11) Change section heading to Gas/Fuel Station
21-06.01(k)(11)(A) Add EV chargingstadons to fuel station standards
21-06.01(k)(21)(Agili) Minimum Lot Size for Auto Sales Add 120'x180'minimum lot size for Auto Sales Ensure adequate space for required site development standards.
21-06.O11kH2211AM0 Outdoor vehicle storage Reduces allowed storage time from 30 days to 14 days for unregistered or salvaged vehicles Enhances urban aesthetics and pro
tor districts other than perty vetoes.but also addresses potential public safety issues.
21-06.01(k)(7)(ANvii) Drive-Through Facility Delete requirement for one waiting space after pick-up window Unneccessary rule since parking is allowed In front.
21-06.01(k)Diagram Captions EV Charging Station Update Change gas station diagram captions to"Gas/Fuel station._" Modernize rules to align with vehicle fueling options.
21-06.02(f)(12)(A1(Iip Home Occupation Adds a operating hours restriction from 7am to 9pm Restricts the operating hours of home-based businesses to minimize disturbance to neighbors.
21-06.020)(12)(A)(vi) Home Occupation Adds clarification that the entrance cannot face the street Makes a reasonable accommodation of home-based businesses.
21-06.0210(12KB) Home Occupation Update and reformat examples of prohibited and permitted home occupations Modernize home-based business rules to align with current economy.
21-06.02(fl(12$C) Home Occupation Update and reformat examples of prohibited and permitted home occupations Modernize home-based business rules to align with current economy.
21-09.01(n)(2)(table21-098) EV Charging Station Update Change use name to Gas/Fuel Station Modernize rules to align with vehicle tsebngoptiorrs.
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NO PLAN co* City Hall
s
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. Blvd.
City of South Bend Suite500
South Bend,IN 46601
PLAN COMMISSION 574) 235-7627
www.southbendin.gov/zoning
Fs/49USHEo1p.
December 29, 2025
Filed in Clerk's Office
Honorable Dr. Oliver Davis
3rd Floor, City Hall Dec 29, 2025
South Bend, IN 46601 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk, South Bend, IN
RE: Proposed Zoning Text Amendment#7 Substitute 2
Dear Committee Chair Dr. Davis:
Enclosed is a substitute Ordinance for a proposed Text Amendment to Chapter 21. The substitute
ordinance attached is the version heard and given a favorable recommendation at the December
15,2025, South Bend Plan Commission meeting. The recommendation of the South Bend Plan
Commission was forwarded to the Office of the City Clerk following the public hearing.
List of changes being presented in this substitute:
Removal of the Special Exception requirement for U1 Duplex(section removed therefore
no change to the current zoning code)
Allow for more duplex units per lot(section removed therefore no change to the current
zoning code)
ADU owner occupancy requirement(section removed therefore no change to the current
zoning code)
Minor text revisions to section(B)Prohibited Home Occupations (minor text revisions)
Please include the attached substitute Ordinance on the Council agenda set for public hearing at
your January 12,2026, Council meeting.
If you have any questions,please call our office at(574)235-7627.
Sincerely,
Brian Killen
Zoning Administrator
Tim Corcoran Brian Killen Francisco Fotia
Planning Director Zoning Administrator Commission President
Filed in Clerk's Office
Dec 29, 2025
SECOND SUBSTITUTE BILL NO.80-25 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk, South Bend, IN
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY
TO SIMPLIFY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND
TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana,adopted a new zoning ordinance
for the City of South Bend that went into effect on January 1,2020. Since its adoption in
November 2019,use of the Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further
clarification, correction, or revision. Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant,
resilient community while improving the ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,
Indiana, as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions &
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(b)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Setbacks.A setback distance is measured perpendicularly from the
lot line to the closest exterior wall of a building's facade,exclusive of building
frontage type(e.g.,porch, stoop). A setback is measured from the greater of an
actual or proposed street right-of-way.
SECTION II. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(d)Building Form is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Building Height(Stories).
D) A single one-story shared amenity space per building shall not count as
a story toward the maximum number if it meets the following criteria:
i.Is open only to building occupants and their guests;
ii. Has a gross floor area of no more than 25%of the gross floor
area of the floor below;
iii. Is set back where it is not visible from the street; and
iv. Has no significant impact, as determined by the Zoning
Administrator, on surrounding residential uses in a Si. U1, or
U2 district.
SECTION III. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(e) Building Components is
hereby amended as follows:
1) When a building component is allowed to be built into a minimum required
setback,it is called an encroachment and shall meet all regulations for building
components per Section 21-08.01. Where a contextual setback is applied, the
Zoning Administrator may allow additional building frontage type
encroachment.
SECTION IV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(f)Building Standards is
hereby amended as follows:
1) Facade Transparency.
B) Facade transparency percentages are calculated independently
for each floor on each facade.
B)(C)
G)112). Upper floor transparency is calculated based on the total facade
area located between the surface of any floor to the surface of
the floor above it or, if there is no floor above, from the surface
of the floor to the surface of the roof. The Zoning Administrator
may reduce the required transparency on the top floor of a
building by up to 50% for designs consistent with the building's
architectural style.
Building Width. Width is measured as the horizontal length of a building
facade measured parallel to a primary or secondary street. Building widths are
applied only to facades visible from a street.
A) For the Stacked Flats, Shop, and Mid-Rise/Tower building types:
i) Elevated hallway connections between structures that are set
back at least 20 feet from the front or corner facade shall not
count toward continuity of building width.
ii) The Zoning Administrator may permit an increase in the
maximum building width of up to 25%to fill out the lot
frontage when it is contextually appropriate and the building
design meets the intent of the ordinance.
SECTION V. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 Si Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.03 U 1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components are hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony Net-towed 5'
SECTION VI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 Si Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor-Front Facade 10%
Upper Floor-Corner Facade 5%
SECTION VII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S 1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(j) Landscape; Section
21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.03 Ul Urban
Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2,
subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(j)
Landscape; Section 21-03.06 OF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(j) Landscape;
Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(j) Landscape; Section 21-03.08 DT
Downtown,subsection(j)Landscape are hereby amended as follows:
An existing tree of at least 2 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION VIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor- Front& Corner Facade 15%
SECTION IX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 Ul Urban Neighborhood 1,subsection(d)Building Placement is
hereby amended as follows:
Lot Width 1 30' min.
Building Setbacks Front Side-21
1 Lot width may be reduced to 20' for attached dwellings.
2
23
SECTION X. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(g)Building Components;
Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(g)Building Components are
hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony Not al lo\v cd 3'
SECTION XI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(f) Building Form is
hereby amended as follows:
Building Design
Total Non-Residential or Non-Civic Use(max.) 5,000 square feet
Total Retail& Service Use(max.) 2,500 square feet
SECTION XII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
SECTION XIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby amended
as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XIV. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection (d)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
Lot Size
Lot Width 29= 15' min
SECTION XV. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.01 OS Open Space, subsection(i)Landscape; Section 21-04.02 U
University, subsection(i) Landscape; Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection(i)
Landscape; Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(i)Landscape are hereby amended as
follows:
An existing tree of at least 2. 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION XVI. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection(b)Principal Uses; Section 21-04.04 I
Industrial, subsection(b) Principal Uses is hereby amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection (f)Building Components is hereby
amended as follows:
Main entrances shall be prominently located and visible from the primary street or
open space-; the Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for any
Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing, & Processing; Transportation; or Utilities use
if not needed to meet the intent of this ordinance.
SECTION XVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(g)Building Standards is hereby amended
as follows:
Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the basement
level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished CMUs or CMUs that
look like brick or stone are allowed.
SECTION XIX. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(f)
Building Standards is hereby amended as follows:
2) Building Materials
D) Security devices such assvilkl-+metal s •-
it
gatos> tal r ll doJ
wio a 1' hutters n illalink/grs .stems sa net be instaehllll d
en-front F dei exeept--wheFe-seeh-deN4ees-are-fit-kast-54
w1, 1 f m the street
D)
E
Fj
4
SECTION XX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,Table 21-06A: Principal Uses by Zoning District is hereby
amended as follows:
Retail & Service DT
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
Retail& Service C,I
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(k) Retail& Services is hereby amended as
follows:
7) Drive-Through Facility
A) Standards:
iii) A drive-through facility shall not cause any interference to a
public right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along
sidewalks or walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to
feeinced parking spaces.
vii) A drive through facility shall provide sufficient room for at
facility.
fix-g(
viii vii
viii
ix
11) Gas/Fuel Station
A) Standards:
i) Gasoline-Fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall not be
located within any minimum required setback. In a NC or DT
district,gasoline fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall
not be located in an established front or corner yard.
ii) Gas/fuel stations shall not cause any interference to a public
right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along sidewalks or
walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to required parking
spaces.
iii) The site design of any gas/fuel station shall provide for the safe
and efficient ingress and egress to the site for fuel delivery
vehicles and an area for such fuel delivery vehicles to park
while unloading which does not interfere with or impede ingress
or egress to or from any public street, required parking spaces,
or any gasoline fuel sales area.
vi) A gas/fuel station canopy shall be consistent in design and
materials with the primary building, shall be neutral colored,
and shall have masonry support columns.
21) Vehicle Sales or Rental
A) Standards:
iii) A vehicle sales or rental use shall have a minimum lot size of
120' by 180'.
iv
vi
vi)(vii)
vii viii
ixXx)
22) Vehicle Service, Major
A) Standards:
ii) No partially dismantled,wrecked, or unregistered vehicle shall
be stored outdoors for more than 14 34 days, except in an I
district,where the maximum time shall be 30 days.
SECTION XXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(k)Retail & Services, Gas Station diagrams are
hereby amended as follows:
Gas/fuel station layout for an urban location
Gas/fuel station layout for a suburban location
SECTION XXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(I)Transportation is hereby amended as follows:
4) Parking Lot
A) Standards:
ii) See Section 21-07.03(44(g)for parking structure regulations.
SECTION XXIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(b)Applicability is hereby
amended as follows:
L Any structure that is less than 4 square feet in area and 9 feet in height,
including,but not limited to, little free libraries and electric vehicle charging
stations, shall not be considered an accessory structure.
SECTION XXV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(e) Maximum Number of
Accessory Buildings is hereby amended as follows:
A lot in a Si. S2,U1, U2,U3, or OF district shall not have more than one detached
accessory building;however, the following structures shall not count for the purposes
of this calculation.
2)
A pergola of 200 square feet or less that is no taller than the eave of the
primary structure or 18',whichever is less.
SECTION XXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards is hereby amended as follows:
4) Chickens, Chicken Coops, and Chicken Pens
C) Construction
i) The chicken coop shall be enclosed with solid material on all
sides and have a solid roof and door(s). The coop shall be at
least 18 inches high, and provide at least 4-2 square foot of floor
area per chicken. Traditional building materials shall be used.
Doors shall be constructed so that they can shut and lock. Vents,
covered with wire,will be placed as necessary for adequate
ventilation. The coop shall be impermeable to rodents,wild
birds,and predators, including dogs and cats.
12) Home Occupations
A) Standards
i) The home occupation shall be located within a fully enclosed
building owned or occupied by the resident of the site..-
iii) No more than one client may be served or instructed at a time.
Clients may not be served or instructed before 7:00 a.m. or after
9:00 p.m.
vi) There shall be no additional or separate entrance to the primary
dwelling facing the street for the purpose of conducting the
home occupation.
B) Prohibited Home Occupations.The following uses,by the nature of
the investment or operation, have a pronounced tendency, once started,
to rapidly increase beyond the limits specified above for home
occupations and impair the use,value and quiet enjoyment of adjacent
residential properties. Therefore, the following uses spec-i€ied-belew
and other similar or comparable uses shall not be permitted as home
occupations: Bar/Tavern/Restaurant; Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales;
Industrial (any); Medical/Dental Clinic;Tobacco/HookahNaping;
Transportation (any): Vehicle Service (any); and Veterinary Clinic,
Kennel,or Stable.
i) Antique, Book or Gift Shop
ii) Appliance Rcpair, large or small
iii) Barber Shop/Beauty Shop
iv) Bicycle Repair or Service
v) Dance, Yoga,or Exercise Studio
vi) Dental Office or Clinic
vii) Freight, Trucking or Shipping
ix) Medical Office or Clinic
x) Painting of Vehicles, Trailers, Boats, etc.
xi) Photography Cudio
xii) n ' ate Schools with Organized ClassesJ
xiii) D t r E ting or n ki g Establish„. .,ts
C(-xiy) T Tpholstering
n
xv) Television or Radio Repair
x -)
Tool r Eq ental
n
xix) Veterinary Clinic, Kennel, or Stable
C) Permitted Home Occupations.By way of example, the following
uses,when conducted in compliance with the conditions set forth above,
qualify as permitted home occupations: Animal Care Establishment(i.e., Pet
Grooming): Childcare Home as defined by IC 12-7-2-28.6: Food Preparation
as defined in IC 16-42-5.3; Personal Care& Services,including,but not
limited to Baking, Barber/Beauty Shop, and Teaching/Tutoring(including
musical instruments, dance,yoga); and Professional Offices.
i) nrt' t'. 1 usicia,,' rWriter's St, did
ii) Cake M D ating(not a catering a commercial
bakery f
cility)
iii) Childcare Home as defined by IC 12 7 2 28.6
iv) D , D orWord Pro
v
r Tra„script,., So
v) Dressmaking, M'll' S Til„ gre"> "s,
r a '
4)--HeRie-iSeheek-ineli±diat Cottage Schools
vii) Personal Office
when
l; it d to o it t om VtieZll
ix) Internet Sales, exclusively online
24) Solar Energy System
A) Standards:
v) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to a
maximum height of-1-2 18 feet. Power transmission lines from a
ground mounted solar energy system to any structure shall be
located underground, if possible, and shall be completely
shielded against shock hazard.
SECTION XXVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards,(27)Trash Containers is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
27) Trash and Recycling Containers
Designated outdoor storage areas and equipment used to collect refuse and
recyclables.
A) Standards
i) Any trash or recycling container or combination of containers
exceeding 36 cubic feet in capacity shall beplaced on an
impervious surface and screened on all sides by a building or a
solid-walled enclosure not less than 6 feet in height nor more
than 10 feet in height above grade and equipped with an opaque
screen gate.
ii) The solid-walled portion of the enclosure shall be similar in
design and materials to those of the building facade and shall be
built to grade. Fences shall not be considered as a solid wall,
and chain link fences with slats shall not be used as gate
material.
iii) Gates or doors of the enclosure shall be kept completely closed
except when refuse is being added or removed.
iv) Building foundation landscape,designed per Section 21-
09.01(m), shall be installed along any sides of the enclosure not
screened by a building.
v) The Zoning Administrator, upon request by an applicant, shall
have the authority to approve an alternate design subject to the
provisions below, as long as the intent of the ordinance is met.
a. Enclosure, material,and landscaping requirements may
be reduced or waived if the enclosure is adjacent to and
accessed from an alley and is not visible from a street.
b. An opaque fence may be used in place of a solid wall if
the enclosure is located in an established rear yard or in
a side yard not visible from a street and is designed so
that refuse cannot leak or blow under it.
c. Landscaping may be reduced or waived if the enclosure
is located in an established rear yard or in a side yard not
visible from a street.
SECTION XXVIII. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (e)Duration is hereby amended
as follows:
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section-, a temporary use, building or
structure shall be permitted for a period not to exceed one year. Except as specifically
provided otherwise in this section, the improvement location permit, if required, may
be renewed one or more times by the Zoning Administrator, for good cause shown, for
an additional period(s)not to exceed a total of three years beyond the original
expiration date.
SECTION XXIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(j)Regulations for Mobile
Classrooms is hereby amended as follows:
1) Mobile classrooms shall be for use by-ct within the following Civic &
Institutional Use types: College/University, Religious Institution, School, Pre-
K/Primary/Secondary;of and
SECTION XXX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(k) Regulations for Temporary
Seasonal Retail Sales is hereby amended as follows:
2) I t h fy k g eaa-miniinuni-ef-3-eff-rstreet
kagl
ALL
3_L
SECTION XXXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access &Parking, subsection(d)Off-Street Vehicle
Parking Area Access is hereby amended as follows:
2) Whenever practical, if an alley is present and open to traffic,all vehicular
access sl}eur1d shall take place from the alley. When an alley is not present,
access to corner lots from a secondary street is preferable to access from a
primary street.
4) Curb cuts shall not be allowed on lots of less than 30' in width. Under a shared
driveway condition,this minimum may be reduced to 15' if the lots sharing the
driveway are at least 30' in width combined.
44)01
5)01
6)L71
SECTION XXXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access& Parking, subsection (e) Design and
Construction of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Areas is hereby amended as follows:
1) Parking Area Layout.The layout of all off-street parking areas shall be in
compliance with Table 21-07B or the most recent version in the Architectural
Graphic Standards for a Level of Service"A"or"B."An alley adjacent to the
lot may be used to meet the requirement for drive aisle width. The Zoning
Administrator may reduce any measurement within Table 21-07B by up to one
1) foot on space-constrained lots.
SECTION XXXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.04 Off-Street Loading, subsection (e)Use of Loading Area is
hereby deleted in its entirety.
SECTION XXXIIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(c) Building Design is
hereby amended as follows:
2) Primary facades shall be oriented to a front lot line. Building designs that
orient main entrances so that they are not visible from the primary street are
prohibited. Any entrance on a side facade shall be visible from the street or
clearly identified using architectural features, awnings/canopies, or lighting.
The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for buildings oriented
to a common open space or for Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing, &
Processing; Transportation; and Utilities uses in an I district.
SECTION XXXV. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(e) Building Materials
for New Construction—Front and Corner Facades is hereby amended as follows:
3) Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the
basement level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished
CMUs or CMUs that look like brick or stone are allowed.
Security devices such as solid metal security gates, metal roll-down windows,
coiling shutters, and link/grill systems shall not be installed on front or corner
facades,except where such devices are at least 50 percent transparent and
located wholly behind a window or door,when viewed from the street or open
space.
7)(8)
8)(9) In a NC or DT district, the following additional regulations apply.
A)Vinyl siding is prohibited.
B) Security devices such as coiling shutters and accordion gates are
t t 50 t transparen .d 1 ated,:,holly behind ndocrrac-iccsa v-perccrr crunsparcnc-aixcrxv"
e)(B)Vents, air conditioners, and other utility elements, except where such
elements are enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured,or otherwise
not visible from the street, are prohibited as part of a front or corner
facade.
93 10
11
SECTION XXXVI. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(g) Building
Components is hereby amended as follows:
5) Building Entrance.A point of ingress and egress for pedestrians into a
building, upper story use,
SECTION XXXVII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(e)Detached House is
hereby amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S2, U3,OF districts 3 stories max.
All other districts 2.5 stories max.
SECTION XXXVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(f)Cottage Court is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
U2 district 1.5 storyies max.
All other districts 2 stories max.
SECTION XXXIX. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(g)Duplex is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S1,Ul,U2 districts 2.5 storyies max.
All other districts 3 stories max.
Building Width
S 1, S2 districts 60' max.
All other districts 48' max.
SECTION XL. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(h)Townhouse is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (i) Apartment House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (j) Stacked Flats is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height(stories-) 2 min. / 5 stories max.
Building Width
S2, DT districts 20491 250' max.
All other districts 12441 150' max.
SECTION XLIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (k) Shop is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Facade Height
OF district 12' min.
All other districts 16' min.
Building Width
DT district 250' max
All other districts 150' max
SECTION XLIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.03 Building Frontage Types, subsection(d) Stoop is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Frontage Standards
Standards
th 'a lk a1kway er--dFivewa
A stoop shall be at least 18" above the elevation of the city sidewalk achieved
by building an elevated stoop and/or building on an elevated lot.
A stoop shall connect to the city sidewalk directly or via a walkway or
driveway.
A stoop shall have a railing, a wall, a covering, or be elevated at least 18"
above an adjoining driveway or walkway.
SECTION XLV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(d)Minimum Plant Material Sizes at
Time of Planting is hereby amended as follows:
Table 21-09A: Minimum Size at Time of Planting
Plant Category Minimum Size
Deciduous Shade TreeQ 1.75" caliper at 6"above ground
Deciduous Ornamental Tree 4—',4" 1.5"caliper at 6" above ground
SECTION XLVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, is hereby amended as follows:
Ground Cover
In a front yard, corner yard,or tree lawn, ground cover shall include,but is not
limited to, grasses; natural vegetated ground covers;preserved existing natural
vegetation(e.g., thickets); or mulch. Artificial turf or similar synthetic
material shall not be used.
e)(h)
i)
0(i)
k)
k)(I)
4) The use of artificial turf for games courts or athletic fields if other
alternatives are not feasible. Any approval to allow artificial turf must
be noted in the landscape plan.
Wm)
3(n)
e)(a)
SECTION XLVII. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(1)Streetscape Trees is hereby
amended as follows:
4) General Requirements
C) Streetscape trees shall consist of native,deciduous shade trees and be
selected from the recommended list of tree species for South Bend,and
Trees must be approved granted a permit by the City Forester.
SECTION XLVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(n)Landscape Buffer is hereby
amended as follows:
1) Applicability
Table 21-09B: Buffers Required by Use
Uses Standards
Gas/Fuel Station 21-06.01(k)(11)
SECTION XLIX . Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.02 Fences& Walls, subsection (c) Height is hereby amended as
follows:
4) An-epen fence more than 50%open enclosing a game court as defined by
Section 21-06.02(0(9)may be erected to a maximum of 12 feet in height,
irrespective of the above standards.
fa A fence more than 50%open providing safety at School, Pre-
K/Primary/Secondary and Day Care Center uses may be erected to a maximum
of 6 feet in height, irrespective of the above standards,to the extent determined
by the Zoning Administrator.
SECTION L . Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.05 Clear Sight Area, subsection(a)Clear Sight Area
Requirements is hereby amended as follows:
1) Except in a NC or DT district,no building, structure, or improvement,
including landscape, shall be erected, placed, planted,or maintained so as to
interfere with a clear sight area located between the heights of 3 feet and 10
feet above the crown of a street, driveway,or alley. A clear sight area shall be
established for all streets and alleys,whether public or private.
SECTION LI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.01 General Provisions, Table 21-10A Allowed Temporary Signs is hereby
amended as follows:
Temporary Signs for a Non-Residential Use
Total Sign Surface Area
S 1, S2,U 1, U2, or U3 district 24 32 square feet max. total for all signs
per street frontage
SECTION LII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.02 Exempt Signs, subsection(a)Exempt Signs is hereby amended as follows:
10) Parking Lot Directional and Information Sign
B) S 1, S2,U 1,U2,U3, UF, and NC Districts—signs shall not exceed 4
square feet in surface area,OF nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
C) DT,OS,U and C Districts—signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in
surface area,Of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
13) Window Sign. One window sign per non-residential use provided it does not
exceed 4 square feet
SECTION LIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.04 Sign Measurement, subsection(b) Sign Height is hereby amended as
follows:
Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the street grade at average
natural ground level within 2 feet of the base of the sign or sign structure, to the
highest point of the sign or sign structure.
SECTION LIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Signs,
Section 21-10.05 On-Premise Signs, subsection (d)On-Premise Signs: Building Signs is
hereby amended as follows:
5) Roof Signs
A) Roof signs are only permitted in the NC,of DT,or I districts and shall
only be installed on a building with a flat roof.
7) Wall Signs
C)
un1 tt t b1 h t a t .t,e na sto abo No
portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet wall of
a building with a flat roof or above the lower eave of a building with a
pitched roof.
SECTION LV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.07 Off-Premise Signs,subsection(d)Advertising Signs is hereby amended as
follows:
1) Sign Surface Area for Advertising Signs
A) Limited Access Highways and Arterial Street;,-The maximum sign
surface area for advertising signs oriented toward a limited access
highway shall be 672 square feet.
SECTION LVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 12
Administration, Section 21-12.07 Development Review Procedures, subsection (f)Common
Procedures is hereby amended as follows:
4) Use Variance Procedures
A) Applicability
i3 Wheo-a-eembination-ac-uses--eff-a--let--is-not-allowed-in-any-ef--the
ii la-aay-ef-the-abeve-eeaditieasra A use variance cannot be
sought if a use could be permitted with a special exception.
E) Procedure
When a combination of uses on a lot is not allowed in any of the
zoning districts, the property should be zoned into the district
that permits the most of those proposed uses and a use variance
sought for the balance of uses.
f) ii
Z
vi
viiXviii)
viii)(ix
ixX
xi
xi)fxii
SECTION LVII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 13
Nonconformities& Enforcement, Section 21-13.01 Nonconformities, subsection (j)
Reconstruction,Remodeling,or Enlargement of a Legally Established Nonconforming 1 Unit
Dwelling or 2 Unit Dwelling is hereby amended as follows:
2) Remodeled or enlarged, provided that such remodeling or additions comply
with the development standards of the applicable district related to maximum
building coverage, minimum setbacks(except as set forth in(1)below),
maximum setbacks, and building height, a
d ^ff"tree'
parking.
SECTION LVIII. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage
by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Common Council President
Attest:
Bianca Tirado, City Clerk
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day
of 2026, at o'clock . m.
Bianca Tirado, City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2026, at
o'clock . m.
James Mueller
Mayor, City of South Bend, Indiana
Filed in Clerk's Office
Zoning Ordinance Amendment#7 Dec 29,2025
Last Updated 12/19/2025
Bianca Tired°
General updates providing a clarification and/or correction ban existing rule,such as a typographical,consistency,and cross reference revision are addressed in the following sections: City Clerk.South Bend,IN
21-02.03(b)(3);21.02.03(fX1)(B-new);21-05.02(9(2)(D);21-06.01(k)(7)(A)0l);2146.01(0(3)(AXII);21-06.02(f)(12)(AIII);21-06.03(e);21-06.03(4);21-06.3(k);21-07.03(d)(2):21-07.040)
21-08.01(eX8X13);21-0&01(g)(5);21-06.02(hX3);21-08.02(i)(3);21-09.01)11141(c);21-09.02(cg4);21-10.02(a)(10)(B);21-10.02(a)10K):21-10.02(46(1)(A);21-12.02(f)(41(A);21-13.01142)
Standard Ordinance Sections Rein Proposed Change Rationale
21-06.02(0)(4)new EV Charging Station Update Exempts free libraries and EV charging stations from accessory structure rules Modernize rules to align with vehicle fueling options.
21-06.02(e) Maximum Number of Accessory Buildings Eliminates accessory building limits In commercial and industrial districts Allow for more functional land use and consistent with the character of non-residential districts.
21-06.02(e(2) EVChargingStationUpdate Exempts free libraries andEVchar®ng stations from accessory structure rules and moves Moderdzerulestoabgn with vehicle fueling options.
hom(e)(g)to(b))4)
E. 21-06.02(eX3)new Accessory Buldlings Allow for Pergolas as long ascnterla are met Avoids need for variances for this typical accessory type.
iiy 21-p8.021 24 ANv) Max height mood mounted solar ever Increase max height round mounted solar crier system from l2'[o lg'
Avoids need for variances for typical permit requests and to promote renewable energy.Also aligns with accessory
i
111 N BMe ridgye g standards.
21-06.02(f)(27) Trash Enclosure
Rewrite of the trash and recycling encosure roles,adding allowable alternatives to
Provide clarity and allows for more cost-efecrlve construction and administrative flexibility.
enclosure requirements when not visible from street
21.06.02(f)(4)(C)(i) Size of chicken coop 2sq ft minimum floor area per chicken in a coop Creates consistency with Chapter 5,Animal Welfare regulations.
Allow Zoning Administrator to waive stories standard for rooftop amedty spaces above4 Allows for administrative flexibility and eliminates need for variance.21-02.03(d112)(D) Building Stories and Rooftop Spaces
stories,conditions apply
Allows ZoningAdmidstrator to increase building frontage encroachment when a contextual Allows contedualplacementdbufltling homages.v 21-02.03(011) Contextual Setback
setback is applied
21-02.
Add a Building Width definition,including a ZonigAdmnistrafor waiver for the max width of
03(f)(2)new Building Width definition
cenain building types.
Improves user understanding by more clearly stating existing rules fa building standards.
N
ty 21-03.01(h) Facade transparency in Si Adds facade transparency in S1-10%front.5%corner
Adds facade transparency In S2-10%front-Bound,5%corner-gmmd,15%from 8 corner- Creates more appealing residential building designsg21-03.02(h) Facade transparency In S2ofupper
g 21-08.01(c(2) Building Entrance-Industrial Allow Zoning Administrator to waive front entrance requirement for Industrial Allows for flexibility in building design.
m
ow CMUs that look like brick or stone
Improves user understanding by providing a clarification and/a correction to an existing rule.Also,allows for more
21-OB.Ol(eX3) Facade Materials Al
flexibility in use of currently available design materials.
21-02.03(f)(1XC) Transparency-Half Story
Zoning Administrator can reduce the required transparency by 50%for cenain topspin
Allows for administrative flexibility with regards to some common architectural styles.
designs consistent with the architectural style
21-03.01(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'in S1
21-03.02(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'inS2
21-03.03(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 5'in U3
Balcony Encroachment Removes an unnecessary restriction on building design.
21-03.04(g) Glow rear balcony encroachment of5'in U2
21-03.05(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 3'in U3
21-03.06(g) Allow rear balcony encroachment of 3'in OF
21-04.04(f) Building Entrance-Industrial Allow Zoning Administrator to waive front entrance requirement for some uses in I lndustral Allows for flexibility In industrial building design.
21-04.04(g) Building Materials-Industrial Allow CMUs that look like brick or stone Creates more flexibility for industrial building design while maintaining quality.
21-08.02(e)(3) Building Height•Detached Home Allow detached homes in S2,U3,and OF to 3 stories
21-08.02(f)(3) Building Height-Cottage Court Allow cottage courts to 2 stones In S2,UF,U3 Districts Allows for increased detached home heights consistent wnhdistrict building standards
21-06.021gN3)
Building Height-Duplex Allow duplexes in S2,U3,and UF to 3 stories
Building Width-Duplex Allows duplexes up to 60'In S18 S2 Supports ease of duplex development on larger suburban lots.
m Building Height-Stacked Flats Removes minimum height for stacked flats Removes an unnecessary restriction on building design.
21-08.020113)Increases S2 and DT Stacked Flats building width from 120'to 250',and all other districts to Allow for fladbkfryin buildin design for elevator buildings and larger suburban lots.
150'Building Width-Stacked Flats 8
21-08.02(k)(3) Building Width-Shop Reduces facade minimum height from 18'to 12'in UF Aligns better with the size of Downtown lots.
Building Type-Shop Allows for district appropriate facade heights.
21-08.030)(2) Building Frontage Clarifies how a stoop is connected and elevated to the sdewalk In relation to the parcel States rule more explicitly to meet ordinance intent.
21-03.03(d) Ui Lot Width 20'min.Footnote-•Lot Width minimum may be 20'he attached dwellings Supports ease of development of for-sale duplexes in urban districts.
Creates more flexibility for non-residential development in UF.Eases reuse of westing neighborhood business
21-03.06(f) OF Max.Square Footage Increase total retail and service use area to 5000 s/buildings.
3
Ili
a 21-03.08(d) DT Minimum Lot Width Reduces DT minimum lot width to 15'Supports ease of development,especially for townhouses,in urban districts.
0
21-03.010)(footnote 1)
21-03.020)(loomote 1)
21-03.030)(lootoote 1)
21-03.040))loomote 1)
21-03.050))foomote 1)
21-0.9.060)(foomote 1)
Revises existing tree caliper from 2"to 1.75"
21-03.070)(loothote 1)
Trees Creates consistency with revised tree ordinance Chapter 19.
t 21-03.08l)(footnote 1)
21-04.010)(footnote 1)
21-04.020)(footnote 1)
21-04.030)(footnote 1)
21-04.04iJ)(footnote 1)
3 21-09.01(tl)(table 21-09A) Revises tree sizes-1.75"caliper new shade tree.1.5"caliper new ornamental tree
Adds wound cover requirement and prohibits use of artificial turf In areas seen from the
21-09.01(g)new Ground Cover
street,including front/corner yard and tree lawn Clarifies that natural materials should be used for ground cover while allowing for administrative flexibility with regards
to use of artificial turf.
21-09.01(k)(4)new Alternate Landscape Plan Allow for use of artificial turf with Zoning Administrator approval
21-09.02(c)(5) Permits Zoning Administrator to allow6'max fence height foe schools and daycare centers Improves public safety for vulnerable populations.
Fence Height
21-09.050)1) Apply Clear Sight Area to tall fences at intersection of alleys Supports increased public safety.
l' 21-07.0301)(4) Minimum Lot Width for Curb Cut Creates a 30'minimum lot width to get a curb cut(15'under a shared driveway condition) Ensures that the city does not have garage dominated streelscapes and to minimize the need for curb cuts.
2 21-07.03(e)(1) Parking Space Widths Allows ZoningAdmirkstrator to reduce parking dimensions up to one foot Allows for design flexibility on smaller urban parcels.
21-03.07(c)Principal Uses Change use name to Gas/Fuel Station
21-03.08(c)Principal Uses
EV Charging Station Update Modernize roles to align with vehicle(yell ngoptions.
21-06.01(k)(11) Change section heading to Gas/Fuel Station
21-06.01(k(11)(A) Add EV charging stations to fuel station standards
21-06.01(k)(21)(A)Qil) Minimum Lot Size for Auto Sales Add 120'x180'minimum lot size for Auto Sales Ensure adequate space for required site development standards.
Reduces allowed storage time from 30 days to 34 days for unregistered or salvaged vehicles
21-06.01(k)(22)(A)(1) Outdoor vehicle storage
for lloed than
Enhances urban aesthetics and property values,but also addresses potential public safety issues.
ther
21-06.01(k(7SANw0 Drive-Through Facility Delete requirement for one waiting space after pick-up window Unneccessary rule since parking is allowed in front.
21-06.01(k)Diagram Captions EVChargirg Station Update Change gas station diagram captions to"Gas/Fuel station..." Modernize rules to align with vehicle IueUngoptions.
21-06.020)(120)(iii) Home Occupation Adds a operating hours restriction from 7am to 9pm Restricts the operating hours of home-based businesses to minimize disturbance to neighbors.
21-06.020)(1211A)(vi) Home Occupation Adds clarification that the entrance cannot face the street Makes a reasonable accommodation of home-based businesses.
RD
re
4
21-06.02(fl(72)IB) Home Occupation
Update and reformat examples or prohibited and permitted home occupations and align Modernize home-based business rules to align with current economy.
specific uses to use types listed In the Principle Uses table 21-06A
21-06.020)(12)(C) Home Occupation
Update and reformat examples of prohibited and permitted home occupations and align
Modernize home-based business rules to align with current economy.
specific uses to use types listed in the Principle Uses table 21-06A
21-09.010)(2((table 21-098) EV Charging Station Update Change use name to Gas/Fuel Sma[Ion Modernize rules to align with vehicle fuelirgoptigns.
Increase max size for Temporary Signs for a Non-Residential Use size from 24 square feet to
21-10.01(TABLE 2110A) Temporary Signs fora Non-Residential Use Allows for common sign size.
32 square feet
21-10.02(a)(13) Open Signs Permit open signs to be illuminated Current code bans illuminated open signs.
w 21-10.04(b) Sign Height Sign height is measured from natural wade Creates consistency with other similar rules.
21-10.05(d)(5)(A) Allows roof signs in I Creates consistency with other similar districts.
21-10.05)d))7)(C)
On Premise Signs
Delete second-floor signrate Eliminate need for variances and allows for flexibility in sign placement.
21-03.08(c)Ptlncipal Uses table
New Special Exception-Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales B Add Special Exception for Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales in DT district;Add Special Exception for
Tobacco/HookahNapug TobaccnlHookahNaping in DTdistrict
Allows further review of uses,including limiting proximity to sensitive areas like schools and homes.
21-04.03(b)Principal Uses table Allows further review of uses,Including limiting proximity to sensitive areas like schools and homes.
o Add Special Exception for Gas Stations In C El districts and change use name to Gas/Fuel
New Special Exception-Gas Stations Station;Add Special Exception for Beer/Wine/Uquor Sales In C 8I districts
21-04.04(b)Principal Uses table Allows further review of uses,Including limping proximity to sensitive areas like schools and homes.
p1 Add Special Exception for Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales In DT,C,8I districts;Add Special
Exception for TdtaccolFlookahNa ping ln DT,C.8l districts;Add Special Exception for Gas
Stations in CB I districts and change use name to Gas/Fuel Station;Remove Special
Al21-06.01)Table 21-06A)New Special Exceptions•Gas,Liquor.Tobacco uses ALLOWS further review duses,including Smiting proximityto sensllNe areas like schools and homes.
Exception requirement for new construction U1 Duplex
No PLAN(-
o
City Hall
M 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. Blvd.
City of South Bend Suite500
South Bend,IN 46601
PLAN COMMISSION 574) 235-7627
www.south bend i n.gov/zoning
gRusHEOZ°,
January 8, 2026
Filed in Clerk's Office
Honorable Dr. Oliver Davis
3rd Floor, City Hall Jan 8, 2026
South Bend,IN 46601 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk. South Bend, IN
RE: Proposed Zoning Text Amendment#7 Substitute 3
Dear Committee Chair Dr. Davis:
Enclosed is a substitute Ordinance for a proposed Text Amendment to Chapter 21. The
ordinance (substitute 2)was heard and given a favorable recommendation at the December 15,
2025, South Bend Plan Commission meeting. The recommendation of the South Bend Plan
Commission was forwarded to the Office of the City Clerk following the public hearing. This
third and hopefully final substitute represents minor revisions with no further substantive
changes.
List of the minor changes presented in this substitute:
SECTION XXVI(home occupation)—removes Baking since this home occupation is
included in Food Preparation
SECTION XXIX(mobile classrooms)—correcting markups and punctuation
SECTION XXXII(parking areas layout)—minor revision using number 1 instead of
spelling out
SECTION XXXV(security gates)—edited to make text more concise
SECTION XLVI (ground cover, artificial turf)— 1)removing"s" from game, 2)
correcting the subsection bulleting, and 3)removed an extra space before"Artificial"
Please include the attached substitute Ordinance on the Council agenda set for public hearing at
your January 12, 2026, Council meeting.
If you have any questions,please call our office at(574)235-7627.
Sincerely,
v;?0,.v....
Brian Killen
Zoning Administrator
Tim Corcoran Brian Killen Francisco Fotia
Planning Director Zoning Administrator Commission President
Filed in Clerk's Office
Jan 8, 2026
THIRD SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. 80-25 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk South Bend, IN
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES FOR CLARIFICATION AND CONSISTENCY
TO SIMPLIFY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND
TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana,adopted a new zoning ordinance
for the City of South Bend that went into effect on January 1,2020. Since its adoption in
November 2019,use of the Ordinance has identified a few standards that need further
clarification, correction, or revision. Changes to these standards will support a more vibrant,
resilient community while improving the ease of use of the zoning ordinance.
NOW,THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,
Indiana,as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions&
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(b) Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Setbacks.A setback distance is measured perpendicularly from the
lot line to the closest exterior wall of a building's facade,exclusive of building
frontage type (e.g.,porch,stoop). A setback is measured from the greater of an
actual or proposed street right-of-way.
SECTION II. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(d)Building Form is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Building Height(Stories).
D) A single one-story shared amenity space per building shall not count as
a story toward the maximum number if it meets the following criteria:
Is open only to building occupants and their guests;
ii. Has a gross floor area of no more than 25%of the gross floor
area of the floor below;
iii. Is set back where it is not visible from the street; and
iv. Has no significant impact, as determined by the Zoning
Administrator, on surrounding residential uses in a Si.U1,or
U2 district.
SECTION III. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(e) Building Components is
hereby amended as follows:
1) When a building component is allowed to be built into a minimum required
setback,it is called an encroachment and shall meet all regulations for building
components per Section 21-08.01. Where a contextual setback is applied, the
Zoning Administrator may allow additional building frontage type
encroachment.
SECTION IV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 2 Definitions
Measurements, Section 21-02.03 Measurements, subsection(f)Building Standards is
hereby amended as follows:
1) Facade Transparency.
B) Facade transparency percentages are calculated independently
for each floor on each facade.
C--) Upper floor transparency is calculated based on the total facade
area located between the surface of any floor to the surface of
the floor above it or,if there is no floor above, from the surface
of the floor to the surface of the roof. The Zoning Administrator
may reduce the required transparency on the top floor of a
building by up to 50%for designs consistent with the building's
architectural style.
11 Building Width. Width is measured as the horizontal length of a building
facade measured parallel to a primary or secondary street. Building widths are
applied only to facades visible from a street.
A) For the Stacked Flats, Shop, and Mid-Rise/Tower building types:
i) Elevated hallway connections between structures that are set
back at least 20 feet from the front or corner facade shall not
count toward continuity of building width.
ii) The Zoning Administrator may permit an increase in the
maximum building width of up to 25%to fill out the lot
frontage when it is contextually appropriate and the building
design meets the intent of the ordinance.
SECTION V. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 Si Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(g)Building
Components; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2, subsection(g)Building
Components are hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony Not Allowed 5'
SECTION VI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S 1 Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency (min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor- Front Facade 10%
Upper Floor-Corner Facade 5%
SECTION VII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.01 S I Suburban Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section
21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.03 U1 Urban
Neighborhood 1, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.04 U2 Urban Neighborhood 2,
subsection(j) Landscape; Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(j)
Landscape; Section 21-03.06 OF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(j) Landscape;
Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(j)Landscape; Section 21-03.08 DT
Downtown, subsection(j)Landscape are hereby amended as follows:
1 An existing tree of at least 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION VIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.02 S2 Suburban Neighborhood 2, subsection(h)Building Standards
is hereby amended as follows:
Facade Transparency(min.)
Ground Floor-Front Facade 10%
Ground Floor-Corner Facade 5%
Upper Floor- Front& Corner Facade 15%
SECTION IX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.03 U 1 Urban Neighborhood 1, subsection(d)Building Placement is
hereby amended as follows:
Lot Width 1 30' min.
Building Setbacks Front}'-- Side 3
I Lot width may be reduced to 20' for attached dwellings.
4-2
43
SECTION X. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.05 U3 Urban Neighborhood 3, subsection(g)Building Components;
Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(g)Building Components are
hereby amended as follows:
Allowed Encroachments (max.)Rear
Balcony 3'
SECTION XI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.06 UF Urban Neighborhood Flex, subsection(f) Building Form is
hereby amended as follows:
Building Design
Total Non-Residential or Non-Civic Use(max.) 5,000 square feet
Total Retail & Service Use(max.) 2,500 square feet
SECTION XII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.07 NC Neighborhood Center, subsection(c)Principal Uses is hereby
amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
SECTION XIII. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection (c)Principal Uses is hereby amended
as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales dewed Special Exception
Tobacco/HookahNaping wed Special Exception
SECTION XIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 3 Standard
Districts, Section 21-03.08 DT Downtown, subsection(d)Building Placement is hereby
amended as follows:
Lot Size
Lot Width 20' 15' min
SECTION XV. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.01 OS Open Space, subsection(i)Landscape; Section 21-04.02 U
University, subsection (i) Landscape; Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection(i)
Landscape; Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(i)Landscape are hereby amended as
follows:
1 An existing tree of at least 2 1.75"may fulfill this requirement.
SECTION XVI. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.03 C Commercial, subsection (b)Principal Uses; Section 21-04.04 I
Industrial, subsection(b)Principal Uses is hereby amended as follows:
Gas/Fuel Station Allowed Special Exception
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales wed Special Exception
Tobacco/HookahNaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection (f)Building Components is hereby
amended as follows:
Main entrances shall be prominently located and visible from the primary street or
open space:; the Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for any
Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing, & Processing; Transportation; or Utilities use
if not needed to meet the intent of this ordinance.
SECTION XVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-04.04 I Industrial, subsection(g)Building Standards is hereby amended
as follows:
Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units (CMUs)above the basement
level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished CMUs or CMUs that
look like brick or stone are allowed.
SECTION XIX. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 4 Special
Districts, Section 21-05.02 NNZO Northeast Neighborhood Zoning Overlay, subsection(f)
Building Standards is hereby amended as follows:
2) Building Materials
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SECTION XX. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,Table 21-06A: Principal Uses by Zoning District is hereby
amended as follows:
Retail & Service DT
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Mewed Special Exception
Retail& Service C,I
Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales Allowed Special Exception
Gas/Fuel Station Allergy Special Exception
Tobacco/Hookah/Vaping Allowed Special Exception
SECTION XXI. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses, subsection(k)Retail & Services is hereby amended as
follows:
7) Drive-Through Facility
A) Standards:
iii) A drive-through facility shall not cause any interference to a
public right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along
sidewalks or walkways,to building entrances or exits, or to
parking spaces.
facility.
viii vii
viii
Luc
11) Gas/Fuel Station
A) Standards:
i) Gaseline-Fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall not be
located within any minimum required setback. In a NC or DT
district,gasoline fuel dispensers and pump island canopies shall
not be located in an established front or corner yard.
ii) Gas/fuel stations shall not cause any interference to a public
right-of-way or conflict with safe movement along sidewalks or
walkways, to building entrances or exits, or to required parking
spaces.
iii) The site design of any gas/fuel station shall provide for the safe
and efficient ingress and egress to the site for fuel delivery
vehicles and an area for such fuel delivery vehicles to park
while unloading which does not interfere with or impede ingress
or egress to or from any public street, required parking spaces,
or any gasoline fuel sales area.
vi) A gas/fuel station canopy shall be consistent in design and
materials with the primary building, shall be neutral colored,
and shall have masonry support columns.
21) Vehicle Sales or Rental
A) Standards:
iii) A vehicle sales or rental use shall have a minimum lot size of
120' by 180'.
iv
vi
vi)fvii
vii viii
ix
f4
22) Vehicle Service, Major
A) Standards:
ii) No partially dismantled,wrecked, or unregistered vehicle shall
be stored outdoors for more than 14 30 days, except in an I
district, where the maximum time shall be 30 days.
SECTION XXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,subsection(k)Retail &Services, Gas Station diagrams are
hereby amended as follows:
Gas/fuel station layout for an urban location
Gas/fuel station layout for a suburban location
SECTION XXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.01 Principal Uses,subsection(1)Transportation is hereby amended as follows:
4) Parking Lot
A) Standards:
ii) See Section 21-07.03(hAgl for parking structure regulations.
SECTION XXIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(b)Applicability is hereby
amended as follows:
01 Any structure that is less than 4 square feet in area and 9 feet in height,
including, but not limited to, little free libraries and electric vehicle charging
stations, shall not be considered an accessory structure.
SECTION XXV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(e) Maximum Number of
Accessory Buildings is hereby amended as follows:
A lot in a S1, S2,U1, U2,U3,or OF district shall not have more than one detached
accessory building;however,the following structures shall not count for the purposes
of this calculation.
2)
01 A pergola of 200 square feet or less that is no taller than the eave of the
primary structure or 18',whichever is less.
SECTION XXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f) Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards is hereby amended as follows:
4) Chickens, Chicken Coops, and Chicken Pens
C) Construction
i) The chicken coop shall be enclosed with solid material on all
sides and have a solid roof and door(s). The coop shall be at
least 18 inches high, and provide at least-1-2 square foot of floor
area per chicken. Traditional building materials shall be used.
Doors shall be constructed so that they can shut and lock. Vents,
covered with wire,will be placed as necessary for adequate
ventilation. The coop shall be impermeable to rodents,wild
birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
12) Home Occupations
A) Standards
1) The home occupation shall be located within a fully enclosed
building owned or occupied by the resident of the site..-
iii) No more than one client may be served or instructed at a time.
Clients may not be served or instructed before 7:00 a.m. or after
9:00 p.m.
vi) There shall be no additional or separate entrance to the primary
dwelling facing the street for the purpose of conducting the
home occupation.
B) Prohibited Home Occupations.The following uses,by the nature of
the investment or operation, have a pronounced tendency,once started,
to rapidly increase beyond the limits specified above for home
occupations and impair the use,value and quiet enjoyment of adjacent
residential properties. Therefore,the following uses specified below
and other similar or comparable uses shall not be permitted as home
occupations: Bar/Tavem/Restaurant; Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales;
Industrial (any); Medical/Dental Clinic; Tobacco/HookahNaping;
Transportation(any): Vehicle Service (any): and Veterinary Clinic,
Kennel, or Stable.
i) Antique, Book or Gift Shop
ii) Appliance Repair, large or small
iii) Barber Shop /Beauty Chop
v) Dance,Yoga,or Exercise Studio
vi) Dental Office or Clinic
vii) Freight, Trucking or Shipping
ix) Medical Office or Clinic
x) Painting of Vehicles,Trailers, Boats, etc.
xii) Private Schools with Organized Classes
xi.')-Upholstering
x \ Tole _ r R d e Depaii
xv:\ Tool r Eg nt Dental
xix) Veterinary Clinic, Kennel, or Stable
C) Permitted Home Occupations.By way of example,the following
uses,when conducted in compliance with the conditions set forth above,
qualify as permitted home occupations: Animal Care Establishment(Pet
Grooming); Childcare Home as defined by IC 12-7-2-28.6; Food Preparation
as defined in IC 16-42-5.3; Personal Care & Services,including Barber/Beauty
Shop;Professional Offices; and Teaching/Tutoring(including musical
instruments,dance,yoga).
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ii) Cake M k r Decorating(not a catering o aI
bakery f edit.,)
iii)
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iv)
v) Dressmaking,z=i li ', Sewing,or Tailoring
vii) Personal Office
ix) Internet Sales, exclusively online
24) Solar Energy System
A) Standards:
v) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to a
maximum height of-I-2 18 feet. Power transmission lines from a
ground mounted solar energy system to any structure shall be
located underground, if possible, and shall be completely
shielded against shock hazard.
SECTION XXVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.02 Accessory Uses and Structures, subsection(f)Accessory Use Definitions
and Standards,(27)Trash Containers is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
27) Trash and Recycling Containers
Designated outdoor storage areas and equipment used to collect refuse and
recyclables.
A) Standards
i) Any trash or recycling container or combination of containers
exceeding 36 cubic feet in capacity shall be placed on an
impervious surface and screened on all sides by a building or a
solid-walled enclosure not less than 6 feet in height nor more
than 10 feet in height above grade and equipped with an opaque
screen gate.
II) The solid-walled portion of the enclosure shall be similar in
design and materials to those of the building facade and shall be
built to grade. Fences shall not be considered as a solid wall,
and chain link fences with slats shall not be used as gate
material.
iii) Gates or doors of the enclosure shall be kept completely closed
except when refuse is being added or removed.
iv) Building foundation landscape,designed per Section 21-
09.01(m), shall be installed along any sides of the enclosure not
screened by a building.
v) The Zoning Administrator,upon request by an applicant, shall
have the authority to approve an alternate design subject to the
provisions below, as long as the intent of the ordinance is met.
a. Enclosure, material, and landscaping requirements may
be reduced or waived if the enclosure is adjacent to and
accessed from an alley and is not visible from a street.
b. An opaque fence may be used in place of a solid wall if
the enclosure is located in an established rear yard or in
a side yard not visible from a street and is designed so
that refuse cannot leak or blow under it.
c. Landscaping may be reduced or waived if the enclosure
is located in an established rear yard or in a side yard not
visible from a street.
SECTION XXVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection (e)Duration is hereby amended
as follows:
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section-,a temporary use, building or
structure shall be permitted for a period not to exceed one year. Except as specifically
provided otherwise in this section, the improvement location permit, if required,may
be renewed one or more times by the Zoning Administrator, for good cause shown, for
an additional period(s)not to exceed a total of three years beyond the original
expiration date.
SECTION XXIX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(j)Regulations for Mobile
Classrooms is hereby amended as follows:
1) Mobile classrooms shall be for use within the following Civic & Institutional
Use types: ollege-/-0University;
Religious Institutions; and School,Pre-K/Primary/Secondary:Of and
SECTION XXX. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 6 Uses,
Section 21-06.03 Temporary Uses and Structures, subsection(k)Regulations for Temporary
Seasonal Retail Sales is hereby amended as follows:
2) T li t-- r h ff street 1 a of 3 o ff street
SECTION XXXI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access&Parking, subsection(d)Off-Street Vehicle
Parking Area Access is hereby amended as follows:
2) Whenever practical, if an alley is present and open to traffic,all vehicular
access should shall take place from the alley. When an alley is not present,
access to corner lots from a secondary street is preferable to access from a
primary street.
4) Curb cuts shall not be allowed on lots of less than 30' in width. Under a shared
driveway condition, this minimum may be reduced to 15' if the lots sharing the
driveway are at least 30' in width combined.
4-44ffl
WL7.1
SECTION XXXII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.03 Vehicle Access& Parking, subsection(e) Design and
Construction of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Areas is hereby amended as follows:
1) Parking Area Layout. The layout of all off-street parking areas shall be in
compliance with Table 21-07B or the most recent version in the Architectural
Graphic Standards for a Level of Service"A"or"B."An alley adjacent to the
lot may be used to meet the requirement for drive aisle width. The Zoning
Administrator may reduce any measurement within Table 21-07B by up to 1
foot on space-constrained lots.
SECTION XXXIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 7 Access
Parking, Section 21-07.04 Off-Street Loading, subsection (e)Use of Loading Area is
hereby deleted in its entirety.
SECTION XXXIIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(c)Building Design is
hereby amended as follows:
2) Primary facades shall be oriented to a front lot line. Building designs that
orient main entrances so that they are not visible from the primary street are
prohibited. Any entrance on a side facade shall be visible from the street or
clearly identified using architectural features, awnings/canopies, or lighting.
The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement for buildings oriented
to a common open space or for Agricultural; Industrial, Manufacturing, &
Processing; Transportation; and Utilities uses in an I district.
SECTION XXXV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(e)Building Materials
for New Construction—Front and Corner Facades is hereby amended as follows:
3) Standard, fluted, or split face concrete masonry units(CMUs)above the
basement level are prohibited as face material. Glazed or heavily polished
CMUs or CMUs that look like brick or stone are allowed.
7) Security devices such as solid metal security gates,metal roll-down windows,
coiling shutters, and link/grill systems shall not be installed on front or corner
facades or facing open space, except where such devices are at least 50 percent
transparent and located wholly behind a window or door.
73(8)
8)O In a NC or DT district,the following additional regulations apply.
A)Vinyl siding is prohibited.
B)Vents, air conditioners, and other utility elements,except where such
elements are enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured,or otherwise
not visible from the street, are prohibited as part of a front or corner
facade.
93(U
SECTION XXXVI. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.01 Building Standards, subsection(g) Building
Components is hereby amended as follows:
5) Building Entrance. A point of ingress and egress for pedestrians into a
building,
SECTION XXXVII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(e)Detached House is
hereby amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S2,U3,OF districts 3 stories max.
All other districts 2.5 stories max.
SECTION XXXVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(f)Cottage Court is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
U2 district 1.5 storyies max.
All other districts 2 stories max.
SECTION XXXI. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8
Building Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(g)Duplex is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height
S 1, U 1, U2 districts 2.5 storyies max.
All other districts 3 stories max.
Building Width
S 1, S2 districts 60' max.
All other districts 48' max.
SECTION XL. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(h)Townhouse is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (i)Apartment House is hereby
amended as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height 3 storyies max.
SECTION XLII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection(j) Stacked Flats is hereby amended
as follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Building Height,2 min. / 5 stories max.
Building Width
S2, DT districts 2001 250' max.
All other districts 1201 150' max.
SECTION XLIII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.02 Building Types, subsection (k) Shop is hereby amended as
follows:
3) Building Type Standards
Building Dimensions
Facade Height
OF district 12' min.
All other districts 16' min.
Building Width
DT district 250' max
All other districts 150' max
SECTION XLIV. Chapter 21, Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 8 Building
Standards, Section 21-08.03 Building Frontage Types, subsection(d) Stoop is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Frontage Standards
Standards
A stoop shall be at least 18" above the elevation of the city sidewalk achieved
by building an elevated stoop and/or building on an elevated lot.
A stoop shall connect to the city sidewalk directly or via a walkway or
driveway.
A stoop shall have a railing,a wall, a covering, or be elevated at least 18"
above an adjoining driveway or walkway.
SECTION XLV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(d)Minimum Plant Material Sizes at
Time of Planting is hereby amended as follows:
Table 21-09A: Minimum Size at Time of Planting
Plant Category Minimum Size
Deciduous Shade Tree 2 '/" 1.75" caliper at 6"above ground
Deciduous Ornamental Tree 1 '/z" 1.5"caliper at 6" above ground
SECTION XLVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, is hereby amended as follows:
Ground Cover
In a front yard, corner yard, or tree lawn,ground cover shall include, but is not
limited to, grasses;natural vegetated ground covers;preserved existing natural
vegetation(e.g., thickets); or mulch. Artificial turf or similar synthetic material
shall not be used.
O(h)
h)(i)
f)(i)
4)(k)
k)(l)
4) The use of artificial turf for game courts or athletic fields if other
alternatives are not feasible. Any approval to allow artificial turf must
be noted in the landscape plan.
443(m)
4-m ()
H)(o)
1-e-)(pl
SECTION XLVII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(1) Streetscape Trees is hereby
amended as follows:
4) General Requirements
C) Streetscape trees shall consist of native, deciduous shade trees and be
selected from the recommended list of tree species for South Bend,and
Trees must be approved granted a permit by the City Forester.
SECTION XLVIII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.01 Landscape, subsection(n)Landscape Buffer is hereby
amended as follows:
2) Applicability
Table 21-09B: Buffers Required by Use
Uses Standards
Gas/Fuel Station 21-06.01(k)(11)
SECTION XLIX . Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.02 Fences & Walls, subsection (c) Height is hereby amended as
follows:
4) An epen fence more than 50%open enclosing a game court as defined by
Section 21-06.02(f)(9)may be erected to a maximum of 12 feet in height,
irrespective of the above standards.
A fence more than 50%open providing safety at School,Pre-
K/Primary/Secondary and Day Care Center uses may be erected to a maximum
of 6 feet in height, irrespective of the above standards, to the extent determined
by the Zoning Administrator.
SECTION L . Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 9 Site
Development, Section 21-09.05 Clear Sight Area, subsection(a)Clear Sight Area
Requirements is hereby amended as follows:
1) Except in a NC or DT district,no building, structure, or improvement,
including landscape, shall be erected, placed, planted, or maintained so as to
interfere with a clear sight area located between the heights of 3 feet and 10
feet above the crown of a street, driveway,or alley. A clear sight area shall be
established for all streets and alleys,whether public or private.
SECTION LI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.01 General Provisions, Table 21-10A Allowed Temporary Signs is hereby
amended as follows:
Temporary Signs for a Non-Residential Use
Total Sign Surface Area
S 1, S2,U 1,U2, or U3 district 24 32 square feet max. total for all signs
per street frontage
SECTION LII. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.02 Exempt Signs, subsection(a) Exempt Signs is hereby amended as follows:
10) Parking Lot Directional and Information Sign
B) S 1, S2, U 1,U2,U3, UF, and NC Districts—signs shall not exceed 4
square feet in surface area,Of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
C) DT,OS,U and C Districts—signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in
surface area,Of nor shall they exceed 4 feet in height;
13) Window Sign. One window sign per non-residential use provided it does not
exceed 4 square feet
SECTION LIII. Chapter 21, Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.04 Sign Measurement, subsection(b) Sign Height is hereby amended as
follows:
Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the strcct grads at average
natural ground level within 2 feet of the base of the sign or sign structure, to the
highest point of the sign or sign structure.
SECTION LIV. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 9 Signs,
Section 21-10.05 On-Premise Signs, subsection (d)On-Premise Signs: Building Signs is
hereby amended as follows:
5) Roof Signs
A) Roof signs are only permitted in the NC,of DT,or I districts and shall
only be installed on a building with a flat roof.
7) Wall Signs
C) N 11 r rl h , e the„ ndew sills of the nrt story.
unless the establishment extends to the second story or above. No
portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet wall of
a building with a flat roof or above the lower eave of a building with a
pitched roof.
SECTION LV. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 10 Signs,
Section 21-10.07 Off-Premise Signs, subsection (d)Advertising Signs is hereby amended as
follows:
1) Sign Surface Area for Advertising Signs
A) Limited Access Highways and Arterial Street.;-The maximum sign
surface area for advertising signs oriented toward a limited access
highway shall be 672 square feet.
SECTION LVI. Chapter 21,Zoning, of the South Bend Municipal Code, Article 12
Administration, Section 21-12.07 Development Review Procedures, subsection(f)Common
Procedures is hereby amended as follows:
4) Use Variance Procedures
A) Applicability
44 When _c_o___b r lot i of rowed : f the
seught-fer-the-balanee-ef-uses
ice ii n ef-the-abeve-eeaditiefisra A use variance cannot be
sought if a use could be permitted with a special exception.
E) Procedure
When a combination of uses on a lot is not allowed in any of the
zoning districts, the property should be zoned into the district
that permits the most of those proposed uses and a use variance
sought for the balance of uses.
ii
ice} iv
y.1
vii
vii viii
viiiXix)
xi
xi
SECTION LVII. Chapter 21,Zoning,of the South Bend Municipal Code,Article 13
Nonconformities& Enforcement, Section 21-13.01 Nonconformities, subsection(j)
Reconstruction,Remodeling,or Enlargement of a Legally Established Nonconforming 1 Unit
Dwelling or 2 Unit Dwelling is hereby amended as follows:
2) Remodeled or enlarged, provided that such remodeling or additions comply
with the development standards of the applicable district related to maximum
building coverage, minimum setbacks (except as set forth in(1)below),
maximum setbacks, and building height, and off 4Feet parking
SECTION LVIII. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage
by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2026, at o'clock .m.
Bianca L.Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2026,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana
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Common Council
:mo Cit) I (;di• �l.i �-\Ltrt111 L111licr Ki111{.Jr. Bild. 'lo111li Brnd. l11dia11;1 l(i(iOI Filed in Clerk's Office Nov 4, 2025
Bianca rira<lo City Clerk, 'outh Bend, I
November 4, 2025
Chairperson Sheila Niezgodski
South Bend Common Council
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 300
South Bend, IN 4660 I
Re A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ACKNOWLEDGING
THE IMPACT OF THE FEDER AL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON
SNAP RECIPIENTS AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO
CONSIDER EMERGENCY MEASURES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS
EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY
Dear Chairperson Niezgodski:
This resolution calls upon the South Bend Common Council's Personnel and
Finance Committee to convene an emergency public hearing with the
Department of Administration and Finance to assess how city reserves
including General Fund and Rainy Day Fund resources--can be temporarily
leveraged to support approximately 20,000 South Bend residents facing the
imminent suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The
resolution emphasizes the city's fiduciary duty to safeguard the well-being of
its residents, especially vulnerable children, seniors, and working families,
and urges local leadership to explore all feasible options to prevent a local
food insecurity crisis.
Please schedule this proposed resolution for the Personnel and Finance
Committee meeting on November IO, 2025, and place it on the full Council
agenda for later that night.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Dr.Oliv� Sherry Bolden-Simpson At-Large, South Bend Common Council 5th District, South Bend Common Council
25-47
Filed in Clerk's Office
Nov 4, 2025
BILL NO. 25-47 Bianca Tirado
City Clerk. South Bend, IN
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND,INDIANA,ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON SNAP RECIPIENTS AND CALLING FOR A
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY MEASURES TO SUPPORT
RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY
WHEREAS,as of October 30,2025, the United States Federal Government has
remained in partial shutdown for 30 days,resulting in suspended or reduced funding for
numerous essential programs that directly affect the residents of the City of South Bend; and
WHEREAS,the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known
as the food stamp/EBT program, provides critical monthly food support to thousands of South
Bend residents, including families with children, seniors,and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS,more than 20,000 South Bend residents—roughly one in five residents in
the city—depend on SNAP benefits to meet their most basic sustenance and nutritional needs;
and
WHEREAS, the current federal government shutdown has interrupted or imminently
threatens to interrupt these benefits,placing thousands of households at risk of hunger,
malnutrition, and related health and safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Bend, as a home-rule municipality, maintains healthy
general and rainy-day fund cash reserves that reflect years of strategic and prudent fiscal
management, and the South Bend Common Council has a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard
taxpayer dollars; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend recognizes that fiscal
stewardship also entails the responsible and compassionate deployment of public resources in
moments of emergency that threaten the welfare of the city's residents and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, it is both reasonable and necessary for the South Bend Common Council to
hold an emergency public hearing to evaluate potential strategies—including, but not limited to,
the temporary allocation of city reserve funds—to ensure that all residents,particularly children,
seniors,and people with disabilities,have access to adequate food during the continuation of the
federal shutdown; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council affirms its commitment to transparency,
accountability,and the public trust by engaging residents, community organizations,and city
departments in open discussion regarding the potential use of local resources to alleviate
immediate hardship; and
WHEREAS, replacement state funding is needed to maintain the level of public safety
and services that residents of South Bend expect and deserve.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of
South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. The Council shall convene, through its Personnel and Finance Committee,a
public hearing to receive testimony, review available fiscal data, and consider the feasibility of
allocating a portion of city reserves to provide short-term food assistance or related relief to
South Bend residents affected by the federal shutdown.
Section IL The City Clerk of the Common Council shall transmit this resolution to all
Members of the South Bend Common Council,Mayor of the City of South Bend, and to the
Department of Administration and Finance for prompt review and coordination.
Section III.This resolution shall become effective upon the date of passage.
Dated this 10th day of November 2025.
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2025, at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2025,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana
* * * * *
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Soutlt Brnd. l11clia11;i HiliOI
South Bend Common Council
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Suite 300
South Bend, IN 4660 l
Filed in Clerk's Office
Jan 7, 2026
Bianca I"irado
City Clerk South Bend, l
January 7, 2026
Re: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, REPEALING, SUPERSEDING
AND REPLACING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-10.1 BY
ESTABLISHING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE AND ELIMINATING
THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURES FOR FILING COMPLAINTS
AGAINST COUNCIL MEMBERS
Dear Council Members:
There have been calls by residents and Council members alike to
amend Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-10.1 of the Municipal Code regarding
written Complaints made against Council members and the manner in which
those complaints are resolved.
The current ordinance provides that the initial meeting of the Rules
Committee to discuss complaints to be in a non-public executive session.
That provision of the ordinance was enacted approximately fourteen (14)
years prior the enactment of the applicable Indiana Open Door statute which
has been interpreted by the former Public Access Counselor as requiring a
public meeting, even at the initial confidential stage of the process. Recent
public meetings of the Rules Committee demonstrated the impossibility of
complying with the confidentiality provisions of the ordinance and the
former PAC's interpretation of the Open Door law.
This led the Rules Committee to investigate how other municipalities
address Complaints against Common Council members. The results were
unexpected. The search revealed that almost no municipality has a similar
ordinance providing for Complaints to be filed, including Mishawaka,
Elkhart, Ft. Wayne, Gary, or St. Joseph County. One municipality that has a
01-26
somewhat similar complaint system also provides for confidentiality. It is not known whether
this provision has ever been challenged.
We believe that the City of South Bend should join those municipalities that do not
provide for a process of receiving and resolving complaints against elected officials. Eliminating
the formal complaint process does not leave our residents without redress. Reports of improper
conduct can be filed with the Police Department or the Prosecutor's office. Those entities are far
better equipped to investigate alleged misconduct than is the Council. Additional remedies
against elected officials are contained in Indiana state statutes. Residents, and others, will
continue to have the privilege of the floor available at Council meetings. The Rules Committee
will continue to have jurisdiction over issues of public trust. Finally, the citizens' ultimate
remedy is the ballot box.
The proliferation of frivolous, meritless, repetitive,and legally incorrect complaints,
combined with the elimination of nonpublic executive sessions for initial consideration of
complaints, has resulted in an inordinate amount of time devoted to resolving such complaints
and hinders the Rules Committee in performing its necessary duties. The current ordinance
provides no expeditious way to resolve such complaints short of a Rules Committee hearing.
This proposed amended ordinance will remedy this situation.
This ordinance repeals, supersedes and replaces Chapter 2, Article 1, section 2-10.1 in its
entirety. The amendments will eliminate frivolous, meritless, or legally incorrect complaints
which the Rules Committee is compelled to resolve under the procedure contained in the current
ordinance.
We ask that this proposed ordinance be assigned to the Rules Committee on January 12,
2026, and scheduled for second and third readings and public hearing on January 26, 2026.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
1171°. 4 '&4410"----------------
Canneth Lee, First District Member Troy Warner, Fourth District Member
South Bend Common Council South Bend Common Council
qatt5( I FI+.dM IaNvik•
Rachel Tomas Morgan, At Large Member
South Bend Common Council
i
Liz IJ i.;-').S21• L1\ (. / 1) 2 5.;-'III i • 11)1) (.1/ II .i.;-.,,i(;7 • 111!): \1C11.l IIt}I )CIII 1IIL:,(N
Filed in Clerk's Office
Jan 7, 2026
BILL NO. 01-26
Bianca"I irado
City Clerk. South Bend, IN
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,REPEALING, SUPERSEDING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE
1,SECTION 2-10.1 BY ESTABLISHING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE AND ELIMINATING THE PROCESS
AND PROCEDURES FOR FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST COUNCIL MEMBERS
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
Section 2-10.1 of the Municipal Code as currently written provides for complaints against
Common Council members to be filed by a complaining party or initiated by at least two
members of the Rules Committee without specifying who may be a complaining party.
The current ordinance also provides that the initial meeting of the Rules Committee to
discuss complaints to be in a nonpublic executive session. That provision of the ordinance was
enacted approximately fourteen(14)years prior the enactment of the applicable Indiana Open
Door statute.
The proliferation of frivolous, meritless,repetitive,and legally incorrect complaints,
combined with the elimination of nonpublic executive sessions for initial consideration of
complaints, has resulted in an inordinate amount of time devoted to resolving such complaints
and hinders the Rules Committee in performing its necessary duties. This ordinance repeals,
supersedes and replaces Chapter 2,Article 1, section 2-10.1 in its entirety.
This amendment also establishes the Rules Committee's duties in reference to the
operation of the South Bend Common Council.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA,as follows:
Section I. South Bend Municipal Code Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2-10.1 is repealed,
superseded, and replaced in its entirety as follows:
Sec.2-10.1. Powers,duties,and procedures of the Council Rules Committee.
a) Standard of conduct generally: The Common Council recognizes that Council Members
hold their offices as a trust conferred upon them by the citizen voters of the community,and
that this public trust requires all Council Members to observe the highest standard of
conduct in carrying out their official duties.
b) Function: The Council further recognizes the Council Rules Committee's role in the
operation of the South Bend Common Council.
c) Composition: The Council Rules Committee referred to hereinafter as "committee" shall
consist of not less than three(3) members, of whom there shall be a reflection of the
political composition of the Council. However,the remaining odd-numbered member shall
be the President of the Common Council.
d) Vacancies: A vacancy on the Rules Committee due to cause shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as the original appointment.
e) Officers and staff The committee shall elect from its membership a Chairperson and a
Vice-Chairperson who shall each be selected for one-year terms. The City Clerk or a
designee of said office shall serve as the custodian of its records and minutes. The City
Attorney's Office and the Council Attorneys may furnish legal assistance to the committee,
and the committee,within the limits of its budgetary appropriation may be authorized to
employ or engage the services of such other personnel on a limited basis as it deems
necessary for the purposes for which it was created.
f) Duties: The Rules Committee in addition to such other duties as may be prescribed to it
by this Code, shall consider and report on all ordinances,resolutions and other matters
concerning the operation of the South Bend Common Council, including but not limited to,the
subcommittee on Council minutes, standard operating procedures, issues of public trust and
any other matter properly referred to the Committee by the Council President.
Section II. Severability.
If any part, section, subsection,paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for
any reason declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section III. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately from and after its passage by the
Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend,Indiana on the day of 2026, at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of 2026,at o'clock
m.
James Mueller,Mayor
City of South Bend,Indiana