City of Elkhart, Indiana

Office of Planning & Development

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The mission of the Office of Planning and Development is to improve the quality of life in the community through various programs and services. The goals of the office include:

Improving the quality of housing, particularly housing that is affordable to low to moderate income households.
Preparing plans and studies that will ensure the orderly growth of the community.
Requiring that all properties meet minimum property maintenance requirements.
Enhancing the economic climate of the community by attracting new businesses, and supporting the growth of local companies.
Creating strategies to redevelop older areas of the community, particularly the downtown, by encouraging new private investment.
Providing services to support new development projects that will add value to the community.

The Office of Planning and Development consists of a professional staff that is grouped into five functional areas:

Building Permits/Inspections
The Building Department is primarily responsible for conducting building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural inspections within the city limits. The mission of the department is to provide a safe building environment for the citizens of Elkhart to work, live, and play through the enforcement of construction codes adopted by the State of Indiana and the City of Elkhart.

Economic Development
The City of Elkhart is a great place to do business and is committed to assisting both existing and prospective business. We offer a variety of economic development tools and incentives to promote quality business development. Whether you are newly established or looking to expand or relocate, the City of Elkhart's Department of Economic Development is available to assist you in all stages of business development.
Neighborhood Code Enforcement
It is the mission of the Code Enforcement Division of the Office of Planning and Development to work in partnership with the people of Elkhart to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment using all legal methods available to bring landlords, tenants, homeowners, businesses, and others into compliance.We administer fair and unbiased enforcement initiatives to correct violations of municipal code requirements pursuant to the 1996 BOCA National Property Maintenance Code.
Community Development
The mission of the City of Elkhart Office of Planning and Development's Community Development Division is to provide technical assistance and general administrative support for the programs identified in the Consolidated Plan. The mission of the Consolidated Plan is to effectively and efficiently focus federal, state, local, and private funds to provide benefits to low and moderate income people and areas of our City through projects and services that will assist them in improving their lives, the lives of their families, and the livability of their community.
Planning Services
The mission of the Planning Services Division of the Office of Planning and Development is to assist the public, business community, development community and other governmental agencies in all matters relating to Planning, The Planning Services Division acts as staff to the City of Elkhart Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission. Planning Services is a member of the Technical Review Committee and as such reviews all new project plans in the City of Elkhart. Services provided include zoning verification, site plan review, project development, GIS, and administration and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.

Department News

Lead Paint Reviews
Published: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Lead paint is a major safety issue in pre-1978 homes. As such, lead paint review will be required for Housing Rehabilitation Program applicants. This inspection will be handled by our Community Development Specialist, Jason Champaigne. For more information about lead paint safety, you may contact Jason Champaigne at 574-294-5471 x 128 or click below for a printable copy of Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.