The City of Elkhart Development Services Department launched a priority project to update zoning and development regulations into a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This update combines subdivision, zoning and historic preservation ordinances into one document, streamlining development by removing inconsistencies and eliminating outdated policies. The current ordinances are text-based documents with little room for figures, graphics, or visual examples. The goal of this initiative is to create and adopt a UDO that is more accessible and user friendly for residents and provide more diverse, accessible, and affordable housing options for residents of Elkhart.

In 2022, the City hired Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA) to lead the update of the plan. REA is a planning and landscape architecture firm with offices in Indianapolis and Louisville with extensive previous experience working with City of Elkhart over the past 15 years.

To boslter efforts, City of Elkhart has also contracted with enFocus, a local nonprofit, to conduct public engagement and gather feedback on updates incrementally from residents and key stakeholders.

Your participation is valuable for a successful UDO planning process. Your input guides the recommended actions, policies, and other projects that the City should pursue for Zoning and Development Regulations. There are plenty of ways to get involved!

Visit the document center for the project to get started or catch up with the latest developments. This page will have the most recent presentations and handouts from public engagement meetings.

Join the project mailing list for updates and opportunities to join in the discussion both in-person and online.

We are currently gathering feedback for Section 26 of the Zoning and Development Regulations. Click the, "Share your feedback," button below to participate.