• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Logo

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

Travel, Hotel and Visitor Information

Bellingham Outdoors Animated Logo
  • Home
  • Places to Stay
    • Hotels / Resorts
    • Vacation Rentals / Bed & Breakfasts
    • Camping / RV Parks
    • Hotel Packages / Special Rates
    • Park n’ Fly Hotel Packages
  • Places to Eat
    • Restaurants
    • Craft Breweries
    • Wine, Spirits & Wineries
    • Coffee Shops & Sweets
  • Things to Do
    • Events Calendar
    • Annual Events
    • Agricultural
    • Attractions
    • Bicycling
    • Bird Watching
    • Cannabis
    • Casinos
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Hiking
    • Itineraries
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Parks & Playgrounds
    • Running
    • Scenic Drives
    • Shopping
    • Snowsports
    • Spas & Health
    • Theaters & Music
    • Tours
    • Water Adventures
    • Summer Activities
    • Fall Activities
    • Winter Activities
    • Spring Activities
    • Whatcom Arts Project
  • Outdoors
    • Bicycling
    • Bird Watching
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Hiking
    • Multisports
    • Parks & Playgrounds
    • Running
    • Scenic Drives
    • Snowsports
    • Water Adventures
  • Getting Here
    • Maps
    • Ground Transport
    • Air Transport
    • Water Transport
    • US/Canada Border
  • Blogs
  • Communities
    • Bellingham
    • Birch Bay
    • Blaine
    • Downtown Bellingham
    • Fairhaven Historic District
    • Ferndale
    • Lummi Island
    • Lynden
    • Mt. Baker
    • North Cascades
    • Point Roberts
    • Sumas
  • Media
    • Media Request Form
    • Articles & Coverage
    • Press Releases
    • Photo Contest
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Weather
    • Request Information
    • Jobs & Volunteer
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Industry Resources
    • Membership
    • Member Directory
    • Services
      • Event Planning
      • Relocation
      • Business
      • Education
      • Financial
      • Medical
      • Out of Area
Home / Press Releases / City of Bellingham short-term rental regulations now in effect
For Immediate Release:

May 6, 2019

Media Contact:

Kurt Nabbefeld, Development Services Manager

knabbefeld@cob.org

(360) 778-8351

City of Bellingham short-term rental regulations now in effect

New rules for City of Bellingham short-term rental (STR) businesses go into effect May 5, allowing these businesses to come into compliance through application for a short-term rental permit.

On November 5, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2018-11-024 establishing regulations for STRs, which are defined as “a lodging use, other than a hotel or motel, in which a dwelling unit or portion thereof is provided to guests by a short-term rental operator for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive nights.” The new STR regulations took effect on May 5, 2019. The new STR regulations replace and expand on the previous regulations for bed and breakfast establishments.

As of February 9, 2019, the number of unique STR units in the City of Bellingham was 308, most of which are operating illegally. The new STR regulations allow for many of these units to become legal with an STR land use permit.

These program goals guide the STR program: 1) balance the economic opportunity created by STRs with the need to maintain the City’s housing supply and 2) protect the rights and safety of owners, guests and neighbors.

The regulations further the goal of retaining the City’s housing supply for owners and long-term renters by limiting the number of STRs an operator may have in residential zones to one. Also, in residential zones, the dwelling unit, including accessory dwelling units, hosting the STR must serve as the primary residence of the owner or long-term renter (with at least a 270-day lease) for at least 270 days/year and the whole unit may be rented no more than 95 days/year. In single-family zones, STRs are not permitted in detached accessory dwelling units. In commercial and urban village zones, the primary residency requirement does not apply, and there is no limit on the number of STRs a host may operate. Please see Bellingham Municipal Code Section 20.10.037 for exceptions and additional information.

To reduce potential impacts on surrounding property owners and residents, the regulations include a number of safety and courtesy provisions, including:

  • One off-street parking space during guest stay
  • Operations must prevent unreasonable disturbances to nearby residents
  • No change in outside appearance of building or premise that indicates the site is hosting a commercial use
  • Local contact person must be available 24 hours/day
  • Good neighbor guidelines that must be posted in the unit and rental agreement
  • No events for compensation in residential zones
  • Basic safety inspection of the unit
  • Proof of valid City of Bellingham business license
  • Liability insurance

The STR permit application is available on the City’s Land Use Application webpage. To find out if your project is viable and what type of permit(s) you might need, please visit the Permit Center, City Hall – 210 Lottie St. to talk with City representatives from Planning, Building Services and Public Works. A fee is required with the STR land use permit application. Fees for STR permits are as follows:

  • Type I: $370
  • Type II: $550
  • Type III-A: $847
  • Renewal (before January 1 of every even-numbered year): $250

For more information: www.cob.org/services/planning/development/Pages/short-term-rentals.aspx

Share:

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: City of Bellingham, Housing in Whatcom County, Short-Term Rentals, Things to do in Bellingham

Footer

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Visitor Center Located at I-5 Exit 253
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229

Hours: Due to COVID-19, the Visitor Center is open limited hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm. Masks required.

Phone: 360-671-3990
Email: tourism@bellingham.org

Join

Sign up to receive Bellingham Whatcom County events & information!

Share

site by highwaters.net