Apply for a COA
Meeting Information
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold its regular meetings on the third Monday of each month and begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 3rd Floor of South Bend City Hall following the Plan Commission meeting or via Microsoft Teams. The deadline for applications to be reviewed is two weeks before the meeting. The February 16, 2026, meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County has been cancelled. The next regular meeting and public hearing for Certificate of Appropriateness applications will be held on March 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., on the third floor of City Hall, 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.City Events and Meetings
Other Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Map of South Bend Historic Properties shows local historic landmarks and local historic districts.
Indiana Buildings, Bridges and Cemeteries Map shows properties on the National List of Historic Places.
A certificate issued by the Historic Preservation Commission authorizing a property owner to complete work on their property as specifically applied for and outlined on the certificate. COAs are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue.
Property owners or contractors hired by the property owner can fill out an Application for COA and submit it to staff with all necessary details of the proposed project and pay the administration fee. A requirements checklist is included with the application.
Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future. It provides us with opportunities to ask, “What is important in our history?” and “What parts of our past can we preserve for the future?” Through historic preservation, we look at history in different ways, ask different questions of the past, and learn new things about our history and ourselves. Historic preservation is an important way for us to transmit our understanding of the past to future generations.
A local landmark is a building, structure, object, district, land use, area, or site of historical significance and designated as an historic landmark on the Historic Preservation Plan or by Ordinance of the Common Council.
A local historic district is a geographically definable area with a significant concentration of buildings, structures, sites, spaces or objects unified by past events, physical development, design, setting, materials, workmanship, a sense of cohesiveness, or related historic association and designated as an historic preservation district on the historic preservation plan or by ordinance of the Common Council.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
A property can become a local landmark through a process of surveying, research and review.
The National Register nomination process usually starts with your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Properties will be reviewed by the SHPO for eligibility. Once eligible, you can submit a nomination. An application for National Register listing then undergoes technical and substantive reviews to assure that it meets National Register criteria. Once accepted by the DHPA staff, the application is presented to the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board for their approval at one of their quarterly meetings.
Resources
General Preservation Information
U.S. National Park Service & Historic Preservation State Historic Preservation Office Listing on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Parks Service is honorary and may qualify a property for financial incentives. National Trust for Historic PreservationTechnical Advice
Preservation Briefs published by the National Parks Service provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. How to: Winterize your historic home Preservation Tips and ToolsAll About Windows
Preservation and Maintenance Guide Preservation Brief for Wooden Windows Tip Sheet for Historic Wood Windows Preservation Brief for Stained Glass WindowsFinancial Assistance
Tax incentives or grants may be available to property owners through the State Historic Preservation Office. Properties on the National Register of Historic Places may qualify for tax incentive opportunities.Research Assistance
Survey Cards Historic Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Historic Aerial Photos Historic Properties Map Housing ListPartner Links
Lou Sabo Historic Photograph Collection Illustrated Handbook for Historic Commercial Buildings Building South Bend Past, Present, Future Back to TopWho is the Commission?
The commission is a nine (9) member board of appointed citizens. Eight members are appointed by the legislative and executive branches of South Bend and St. Joseph County governments. Appointments are as follows: two (2) by the County Commissioners, two (2) by the South Bend Common Council, two (2) by the County Council, and two (2) by the Mayor of South Bend. Each body appoints one Democrat and one Republican. The ninth member is the Architectural Historian who is appointed by the eight (8) other appointed members. The nine (9) volunteer board members of the Historic Preservation Commission are appointed for three year terms and are knowledgeable in various aspects of local history, historic preservation, and traditional trades.What does the Commission do?
The Commission is granted powers to draft preservation guidelines and plans, advise other agencies on matters concerning historic sites and structures, and assist and educate the public. The Commission’s jurisdiction includes the City of South Bend and the unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County. Map of Historic Properties The Commission makes recommendations to the Council for sites, structures and neighborhoods to become landmarks and districts. Once a Landmark or District is designated by ordinance, the Commission serves as the agency that administers the preservation standards required by the designation. These standards are a tool to maintain a structure’s, a district’s, or a landscape’s character defining features.How does the commission administer the preservation standards?
A Certificate Of Appropriateness (COA) is the formal manner through which the Commission monitors the character and condition of a Landmark or District. Property owners apply for a COA through the Commission staff. Staff review the project details, conduct property inspections and site visits, research property history and write a recommendation in a report presented to the Commission at the monthly meeting. Some projects can be administratively approved by staff and do not require review by the Commission. The Commission review applications, ask applicants questions, listen to public input, and discuss the appropriateness of the proposed project. The Commission then votes to approve, deny or continue the project. Approved projects receive a COA from staff and property owners are able to acquire necessary building permits and begin work.Current Commissioners
- Sarah Andrews, President, St. Joseph County Commissioners Appointee, Expires 12/31/2026
- Kathryn Hough, Vice President, St. Joseph County Commissioners Appointee, Expires 11/19/2028
- Michael Skaggs, Commissioner, St. Joseph County Council Appointee, Expires 2/28/2026
- Andrew Fowler, Commissioner, Mayoral Appointee, Expires 12/31/2028
Local Historic Districts
Since 1973, approximately 200 Local Landmarks in South Bend and St. Joseph County, 9 Local Historic Districts, and several National Register Districts and properties have been designated. About 6,000 sites and structures have been identified in architectural surveys as Outstanding, Notable, or Contributing resources of the area’s history. Preserving South Bend and St. Joseph County’s architectural history requires cooperation from homeowners. The city is committed to helping assist and educate community members about historic districts and how to properly maintain and modify properties in each. Map of Historic Properties Back to TopLatest News
View the Historic Preservation Commissions Ten Most Endangered Properties of 2025
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