Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I hold a Block Party or conduct a Walk or Parade?
- Where do I obtain Handicapped Accessible Parking Signs?
- Where can I obtain information about the Curb and Sidewalk Program, the Lamppost Lighting Program or the Downspout Disconnect Program?
- How do I obtain special parking in front of my home?
- Where do I obtain a Permit for Excavation, Curb and Sidewalk work or to place a dumpster in the right-of-way?
- How do I get a stop sign installed in my neighborhood?
- Who inspects my concrete or excavation work?
- Where do I go for a sewer or water tap?
- How do I find out about vacating my alley or vacating a street?
- Who do I call for a street light outage or to have a new street light installed?
- Who do I contact for permission to place a sign, canopy or awning on my building?
- Who do I contact for a sidewalk sale or to have a sidewalk cafe outside of my business?
- Who do I call to have an alley graded?
- My trash didn't get picked up, who do I call?
- My water bill is incorrect, who do I call?
- Who do I contact to get my street paved or repair the pot holes?
- Who can help me with the information regarding sanitary and storm sewers or drainage problems?
- Who do I contact if a snow plow damages my curb or have a flat tire resulting from a pot hole?
- I need an address for a new home. Who can give me this information?
- I noticed a traffic signal that is not working properly or has a bulb out. Who needs to know?
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1. How do I hold a Block Party or conduct a Walk or Parade?
First, an application must be filled out and returned along with a Certificate of Insurance naming the City as a co-insured and your route to the Board of Public Works four weeks ahead of your event. The Board will review your application at a regular meeting and will contact you with their decision. Applications are available through the Division of Engineering by calling 574.235.9251 or click here for the Block Party Application and Walks, Runs and Parades Application.
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2. Where do I obtain Handicapped Accessible Parking Signs?
Please call the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting at 574.245.6001. You will need to provide an application along with your handicapped license plate information and a letter from your doctor stating your disability. The Traffic & Lighting Manager will review your application and make a recommendation to the Board of Public Works. The Board will notify you of their decision by mail. Applications are also available at the Division of Engineering or click here for the Handicap Parking Application.
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3. Where can I obtain information about the Curb and Sidewalk Program, the Lamppost Lighting Program or the Downspout Disconnect Program?
Applications are available through the Division of Engineering or by checking our Neighborhood Improvements Programs page. Please call Engineering with any questions you may have at 574.235.9251.
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4. How do I obtain special parking in front of my home?
If you are interested in obtaining a permit-only parking area along your street, please contact the Division of Engineering at 574.235.9251 or click here for the Residential Parking Petition. This application includes a signature sheet for your neighbors. You must obtain 2/3 of yoru block's signatures prior to returning your application. A traffic study of your area will be conducted and a recommendation made to the Board of Public Works. You will be notified by letter of their decision. Please note that reserved parking is utilized only when there is a large school or employer in your area that prevents residents from being able to park on their own street.
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5. Where do I obtain a Permit for Excavation, Curb and Sidewalk work or to place a dumpster in the right-of-way?
Please call the Division of Engineering's Permits Manager for these permits at 574.235.9254.
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6. How do I get a stop sign installed in my neighborhood?
Please call the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting at 574.245.6001. A traffic study will be conducted with the results reviewed by the City Engineer. The Board of Public Works bases their decision upon the recommendation by the City Engineer and the traffic study results.
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7. Who inspects my concrete or excavation work?
An inspectof fromt eh Division of Engineering will be asigned to your project when you get your permit. That inspector inspects your concrete and/or excavation work. The name and cell phone number of the assigned inspector will be on your permit.
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8. Where do I go for a sewer or water tap?
The Division of Engineering processes sewer taps and water permits. Please call 574.235.9254 for more information. Water Works Engineering processes water tap permits. Please call 574.235.9279 for more information.
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9. How do I find out about vacating my alley or vacating a street?
The vacation of a right-of-way requires an Ordinance by the Common Council. The Council asks that you begin by contacting the Division of Engineering to begin the process. Please call 574.235.9254 for more information.
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10. Who do I call for a street light outage or to have a new street light installed?
To report street light outages, please call our automated street light outage service at 574.235.5938 and leave a message with the street light outage information including the nearest address, if available, the intersection direction (e.g. at the northwest corner of Donald Street and High Street) and a contact name and number if you wish for someone to return your call. These messages are checked daily then reported to Indiana Michigan Power Company.
Please be patient with your outage. All locations remain on the repair list until they are fixed.
Call the Division of Engineering at 574.235.9251 to request a new street light.
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11. Who do I contact for permission to place a sign, canopy or awning on my building?
Please call the Division of Engineering at 574.235.9251 or click here for the Application to Encroach onto a Public Right-of-Way. This application is also used for placing brick mailboxes, planters and other types of encroachments in the right-of-way. Please call the City Forester at 574.299.4768 extension 249 for information regarding the placement of trees in the treelawn.
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12. Who do I contact to have a sidewalk sale or sidewalk cafe outside of my business?
Please call the Division of Engineering at 574.235.9251 or click here for the Sidewalk Sale Application or Sidewalk Cafe Application.
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13. Who do I call to have an alley graded?
Please call the Bureau of Streets at 574.235.9244.
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14. My trash didn't get picked up, who do I call?
Please call the Bureau of Solid Waste at 574.277.8823.
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15. My water bill is incorrect, who do I call?
Please call the Division of Water Works at 574.235.9236 for information regarding your Water Works bill.
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16. Who do I contact to get my street paved or repair pot holes?
Please call the Bureau of Streets at 574.235.9244.
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17. Who can help me with the information regarding sanitary and storm sewers or drainage problems?
If you have water in your basement or standing in your street, please call the Bureau of Sewers at 574.235.9444 for more information. For systematic problems, please call the Division of Engineering at 574.235.9251.
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18. Who do I contact if a snow plow damages my curb or have a flat tire resulting from a pot hole?
If you believe the City of South Bend is responsible for damage to your property or person, a claim must be filed with the City's Legal Department. Your claim will be investigated. Please call the Legal Department at 577.235.9241.
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19. I need an address for a new home. Who can give me this information?
Please call the Permits Manager at 574.235.9254 to have an address assigned wihtin City limits. The County Surveyor assigns addresses outside City limits (574.235.9626).
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20. I noticed a traffic signal that is not working properly. Who needs to know?
Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., please call the Signal Shop at 574.235.9926. After hours, please call the Police Department's non-emergency number at 574.235.9201.
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Division of Engineering & Public Construction
227 W. Jefferson Blvd. • Suite 1300 N
South Bend, Indiana 46601
574.235.9251
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