Residents and property owners in annexed areas receive the same services as other residents and property owners within the city limits.

Police Protection: The South Bend Police Department will assume responsibility for providing police protection within one year of the effective date of an annexation.  Generally, the Police Department will be able to respond to calls before the one-year date.  The annexed area will be assigned to a police beat, patrolled 24 hours a day.  The police typically achieve a response time of five minutes or less throughout the beat.

Fire Protection: The South Bend Fire Department will assume responsibility for fire protection from the township's fire department within one year of the effective date of the annexation.  Generally, the Fire Department will be able to respond to calls before the one-year date.  The department has firefighters staffing 12 fire stations, 24 hours a day.  The firefighters typically achieve a response time of 5 minutes or less.  The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has given South Bend a Class 3 fire protection rating.

In addition to firefighting capabilities, the department has fully-staffed medical response teams and four fully equipped ambulances.  All fire stations have first responders.  These firefighters are trained to operate defibrillators which greatly increase the assistance to heart attack victims.  The department is also staffed with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's), Advanced EMT's and paramedics.

Code Enforcement: The Department of Code Enforcement ensures the health and safety of residents through the systematic enforcement of city ordinances.  Citizen complaints are investigated by a Code Inspector.  In addition, inspectors assigned to specific areas cite violations as they tour their territories.  The department inspects for unsafe, hazardous and substandard housing, abandoned vehicles, animal complaints and other assorted environmental and nuisance violations.

Residential Trash Service: The Bureau of Solid Waste is responsible for the collection and disposal of trash from residences throughout the city.

Fall Leaf Pick-Up: Bagged leaves are collected by the Bureau of Solid Waste during the entire month of November.  The Bureau of Streets collects all leaves raked to the curb.  Leaf burning is prohibited within the city limits.  A yard waste recycling program is available to residences through the Bureau of Solid Waste.

Snow Plowing: The Bureau of Streets provides snow plowing.  Major thoroughfares receive first priority, but city workers generally clear all city streets within 8 hours after a snowfall of 4 inches or less, and within 8 to 12 hours after a heavier snowfall.

Street Sweeping and Maintenance: The Bureau of Streets has a regular street sweeping program, and repaves and repairs streets as needed.

Sanitary Sewer Service: The City of South Bend has the capacity and capability to provide sanitary sewers to annexed areas.  Requests for service are petitioned through the Board of Public Works.  Residents would have to pay for this service.  Connection to the public sewer line from the main structure would be the responsibility of the property owner.

Public Water Service: The City of South Bend has the capacity and capability to provide water service to annexed areas.  Requests for service are petitioned through the Board of Water Works Commissioners.  Residents would have to pay for this service.  Connection to the public water line from the main structure would be the responsibility of the property owner.

Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Community Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN 46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9469