Bellingham, WA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopts
- federal and state bird protection law
- Covers
- songbirds, game birds, migratory waterfowl
- Max fine
- $1,000
- Max jail
- 90 days
Summary
Bellingham makes violating federal or state songbird, game bird, or migratory bird and waterfowl protection laws a local misdemeanor, letting city courts prosecute wildlife crimes under municipal code.
The violation of any law or regulation of the United States or of the state of Washington with reference to songbirds, game birds, or migratory birds or waterfowl is a misdemeanor under this chapter, and such violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor as fully and completely as though the laws and regulations referred to were set out in full as a part of this chapter. [Ord. 10468 § 2, 1993].
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The Bellingham Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026. Disclaimer: Users should contact the Deputy City Clerk for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above. Note: This site does not support Internet Explorer. To view this site, Code Publishing Company recommends using one of the following browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
City Website: www.cob.org City Telephone: (360) 778-8000
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Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
BMC 7.16.120, in the Cruelty to Animals chapter, folds federal and Washington state bird-protection law directly into city law: any violation involving songbirds, game birds, or migratory birds or waterfowl is treated as a misdemeanor under Bellingham's own code, prosecutable exactly as if the federal and state provisions were written out in full in the city ordinance. That gives Bellingham police and municipal court independent authority to charge bird-protection violations locally rather than relying solely on state or federal wildlife agencies. Chapter 7.16's general penalty in BMC 7.16.110 applies: a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, plus possible restitution for animal care costs.
Violations & Fines
Violating federal or state songbird, game bird, or migratory waterfowl protection law is a misdemeanor under BMC 7.16.120, punishable by up to $1,000 and/or 90 days jail per BMC 7.16.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
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