Board of
Zoning Appeals...

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a quasi-judicial body whose purpose is the review and consideration of all requests for relief from any standard in the Zoning Ordinance including variances, use variances, special exceptions, conditional use requests, and administrative appeals.  Per State statute, members of the BZA may not be contacted regarding a case prior to the public hearing for a case.  The BZA is comprised of five members, including two Plan Commission members and three citizen members.  The BZA meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

Board Members:

• Doug Mulvaney
• Ron Davis
• Janet Evanega-Rieckhoff
• Phalene Leichtman

2025 Board of Zoning Appeals Calendar

Historic & Cultural
Preservation Commission...

The Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission is responsible for overseeing development in the City’s Local Historic Districts and assist property owners in applying for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Properties located in the historic district must conform to Rehabilitation Guidelines contained in the Historic and Cultural Preservation ordinance. All exterior changes to properties in historic districts must be approved by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission prior to the start of construction. The HCPC meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

Members:

• Ann Linley, President
• Bill Zimmerman, Vice President
• JA Whitmer, Treasurer
• Bobby Glassburn

Webex Meeting Information:

• Join via meeting link: https:
• Meeting Number (Access Code):
• Meeting Password:

2025 Historic & Cultural Preservation Commission Calendar

Historic Districts and Single Sites

Plat
Committee...

The Plat Committee is appointed by the Plan Commission to act on its behalf.  The Plat Committee has the authority to grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all Minor Subdivisions, grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all other subdivisions of 3 lots or less, and grant secondary approval for all subdivisions of three lots or less.  The Plat Committee is made up of three members and meets on demand in the Planning Services Division office.

Members:

• Jeffrey D. Schaffer, Chair
• Tory Irwin
• Eric Trotter

Technical
Review..

Technical Review meetings are held to review a proposed development and resolve non-compliance issues. The departments present are Planning & Zoning, Fire, and Public Works. The developer or project representatives are invited to attend these meetings to answer any questions the staff may have.  Staff comments regarding a proposed development are sent to applicants prior to these meetings. Technical Review meetings are held as necessary on a biweekly basis at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Works Conference Room, 3^rd floor, Municipal Building.

2025 Technical Review Application Packet with Calendar

Drainage Requirements – Updated February 2024

Please submit Technical Review applications to:

Public Works & Utilities

1201 S. Nappanee St.

Elkhart, IN 46516

If you have questions, please contact us.

Zoning
Verification Request...

For identifying the current zoning of a parcel/address without requesting a formal verification letter please contact Kyle Anthony-Petter Kyle.Anthony-Petter@coei.org 574-294-5476.

Use this form to request a standard Zoning Verification letter. Fill out the form completely and we will provide the letter to the email on the form within 3-5 business days. If additional information is needed, there will be a $50 research fee and the request may take longer to fulfill.

Download the Zoning Verification Letter

Forms
& Applications..

BZA Applications:

• Appeal from Staff Decision Application Packet
• Conditional Use Application Packet
• Developmental Variance Application Packet
• Use Variance Application Packet
• Wireless Communication Facility (Zoning Designation: R or B1) Application Packet

Plan Commission Applications:

• Annexation Application Packet
• Final Site Plan Application Packet
• Major PUD Amendment Application Packet
• Major Subdivision Application Packet
• Planned Unit Development (PUD) Application Packet
• Rezoning Application Packet
• Special Exception Application Packet
• Wireless Communication Facility (Zoning Designation: B2) Application Packet

Planning Department Staff Review Applications:

• Minor PUD Amendment Application Packet
• Zoning Clearance Application (PDF)
• Zoning Clearance Application (NEW Online Submission Portal)

Plat Committee Applications:

• Minor Subdivision Application Packet

Technical Review Committee Applications:

• Technical Review Application Packet with Calendar

Historic & Cultural Preservation Commission Applications:

• Certificate of Appropriateness Application

Miscellaneous Forms:

• Affidavit for Setback Allowance for ADA Accessible Ramp
• Driveway Construction Standards
• FEMA Elevation Certificate & Instructions (2019 Edition)
• Zoning Verification Letter Request
• Zoning Applications Fee Schedule

Comprehensive Plan
& Zoning Ordinance...

Zoning Ordinance

The City of Elkhart Zoning Ordinance outlines the standards and requirements that are used to establish a regulatory system for City processes and development within the City.  These standards ultimately help guide future land use to be beneficial and productive for the City.  The ordinance identifies the zoning districts within the city and highlights the permitted uses within each district.  Zoning districts are established to maintain public health and safety while encouraging the beneficial development of the City. This document is enforced to help reach the goals that are outlined in the comprehensive plan.  This document also establishes the structure for public meetings that are conducted to uphold the policies herein.  The enforcement of this zoning ordinance is aimed at creating and maintaining a community that maximizes its potential for both comfortable living and working. City of Elkhart Zoning Ordinance.pdf

Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan, adopted February 2, 2015, will be used by the City of Elkhart Plan Commission and City Council as required under Indiana Law. This plan serves as the basis for development and infrastructure policy related to development, redevelopment and management of land uses. This plan should provide the policy basis to support any changes in the Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinance as well as provide guidance on the creation of a Capital Improvements Plan.

• Updated Comprehensive Plan – Adopted February 02, 2015 full document
• Update Comprehensive Plan Cover Page, Acknowledgements and Table of Contents
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Executive Summary
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 1 – Introduction
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2 – Process and Methodology
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 – Visioning
• Update Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4 – Land Use
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 5 – Mobility
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 6 – Environment and Design
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 7 – Economic Development
• Updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Corridor Character- Land Use & Transportation
• Update Comprehensive Plan Chapter 9 – Implementation

Subdivision Ordinance

For questions regarding the Subdivision Ordinance, please contact us.

FAQs...

Common Zoning Violations in Residential Areas