How Bellingham Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Bellingham maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Bellingham falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 7.08 (Dog Control) requires that dogs be licensed annually and kept 'under control' as defined in BMC 7.04.030. Dogs must not roam, run, stray, or be away from the owner's premises unless physically restrained. BMC 8.04.070 (Restrictions on animals in parks) requires dogs in city parks to be on a leash held by a person, except in designated off-leash areas. Washington state rabies vaccination is required for licensing. Dangerous-dog rules under BMC 7.08.130-7.08.170 layer state Chapter 16.08 RCW requirements on top of the city's leash and control framework.

Key details: Governing Code: BMC Ch. 7.08 - Dog Control + BMC 8.04.070 - Animals in parks. Licensing: Annual - rabies vaccination prerequisite (BMC 7.08.010). Off-Property Restraint: Leash/under control - BMC 7.04.030 definition. Park Rule: Leash held by person required - off-leash only in designated areas. Dangerous Dog Reg Fee: $100/year per location (BMC 7.08.170).

Allowing a dog to roam, run, stray, or be away from the owner's premises without being on a leash and under control is an infraction under BMC 7.08, enforced by Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control under contract with the City. BMC 7.08.110 sets civil infraction penalties for at-large, unlicensed, and uncontrolled dogs. Dogs in city parks must be on a leash held by a person under BMC 8.04.070, except in designated off-leash areas; off-leash in a leash-required park is a park-rule infraction. A dog declared dangerous under BMC 7.08.130/7.08.170 that is found outside its proper enclosure without a muzzle and substantial leash restraint, or whose owner has failed to comply with the registration, microchipping, posting, or annual $100 fee requirements, is a gross misdemeanor under BMC 7.08.170 punishable by up to $5,000 fine and/or 364 days in jail. Field enforcement: Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control 360-733-2080.

Wildlife Feeding

BMC 7.12.130 (adopted by Ordinance 2017-10-024) prohibits the intentional feeding of deer and raccoons within Bellingham city limits. A person is presumed to feed if they place food, or cause food to be placed, on the ground outdoors or in any outdoor area reachable by these animals. Exceptions cover authorized wildlife officials, landscaping/garden vegetation, and food placed for domestic livestock, pets, or wild birds. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) added a STATEWIDE deer, elk, and moose feeding/baiting prohibition effective May 17, 2025 in response to Chronic Wasting Disease detection - layering on top of the Bellingham city ordinance.

Key details: Governing Code: BMC 7.12.130 (Ord. 2017-10-024) - feeding deer & raccoons prohibited. Presumption: Food placed on ground outdoors reachable by animals = intentional. Bird Feeder Exception: Allowed - but cannot become deer/raccoon feeder. Garden/Tree Fruit: Exempt - landscaping plants, fallen fruit/nuts OK. WDFW Statewide Rule: Deer/elk/moose feeding ban eff. May 17, 2025 (CWD response).

Intentionally feeding deer or raccoons in Bellingham - including placing food or causing food to be placed on the ground outdoors in any area reachable by deer or raccoons - violates BMC 7.12.130 and is an infraction enforceable by Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control (360-733-2080) and Bellingham Police. Feeding, baiting, or placing attractants for deer, elk, or moose ANYWHERE in Washington (including in Bellingham) violates WDFW's statewide CWD rule effective May 17, 2025, and is enforceable by WDFW Police (violator hotline 1-877-933-9847) as a Washington state wildlife violation under Chapter 77.15 RCW. Feeding bear, cougar, or other large carnivores violates Chapter 77.15 RCW. Bird feeders are protected by the BMC 7.12.130 exception so long as the feeder does not become a de facto deer or raccoon feeding station; poorly designed feeders that spill seed reachable from the ground can still trigger violations.

This is one of the stricter rules in Bellingham's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Breed Restrictions

Bellingham has NO breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and other commonly restricted breeds are legal in Bellingham without breed-specific permits, muzzle, or insurance requirements. Washington state law preempts most local BSL: RCW 16.08.110 (added by HB 1026, effective January 1, 2020) prohibits cities and counties from enacting breed-based regulations unless certain conditions including a process for dog owners to obtain an exemption are met. Bellingham enforces dangerous-dog rules on a conduct basis under BMC 7.08.130-7.08.170, tracking Chapter 16.08 RCW.

Key details: Bellingham BSL: None - no breed-specific ban or permit. Whatcom County BSL: None. State Preemption: RCW 16.08.110 (HB 1026) - eff. Jan 1, 2020. Conduct Framework: BMC 7.08.130-7.08.170 + Ch. 16.08 RCW. Wolves & Hybrids: Treated as dangerous dogs (BMC 7.12.070) + segregation rule.

Bellingham has no breed-specific permit, registration, muzzle, or enclosure requirement to violate. Once a dog (of any breed) has been formally declared 'potentially dangerous' or 'dangerous' under BMC 7.08.130 - 7.08.160 and Chapter 16.08 RCW, the owner must comply with BMC 7.08.170's registration, proper-enclosure, off-property muzzle and substantial-leash, microchip, warning-sign, and $100/year registration-fee requirements; failure is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 fine and/or 364 days in jail. Wolves and wolf hybrids are subject to the same dangerous-dog framework under BMC 7.12.070 and must additionally be segregated from domestic dogs and cats. RCW 16.08.100 makes the owner of a dangerous dog strictly liable for injury caused by the dog and provides for civil and criminal penalties at the state level. Field enforcement: Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control 360-733-2080.

The rules around breed restrictions in Bellingham lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Livestock

BMC 7.12.060 nominally allows the keeping of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals in Bellingham city limits subject to secure confinement and a 50-foot setback from neighbor dwellings or work buildings. In practice the Bellingham Land Use Code (BMC Title 20) restricts livestock and animal husbandry to a limited number of zoning districts (rural, public, and certain agricultural-overlay areas), with existing animal-husbandry uses grandfathered at their established locations provided the use is not expanded. BMC 7.16.030 imposes specific care standards for cattle including dry stables and storm shelters. RCW 16.06 (dog tethering) and RCW 16.52 (animal cruelty) also apply.

Key details: Care Standard Code: BMC 7.12.060 + BMC 7.16.030 (cattle-specific). Zoning Code: BMC Title 20 - animal husbandry restricted to limited districts. Setback: 50 ft from neighbor dwellings/work buildings (BMC 7.12.060). Cattle Requirements: Dry stables/pens + storm shelter in pasture (BMC 7.16.030). Existing Uses: Grandfathered if not expanded (BMC Title 20).

Keeping livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats) on a Bellingham parcel where the zoning district does not permit animal husbandry as a permitted or legal-nonconforming use is a violation of BMC Title 20 enforceable by the Bellingham Planning Department with abatement orders and per-day civil penalties. Keeping permitted livestock within 50 feet of any neighbor dwelling or work building, or without a sanitary, securely confined enclosure with suitable dry housing, food, and clean water, violates BMC 7.12.060 - an infraction with a fine up to $250. Keeping cattle without dry stables/corrals/pens, without sanitary salt/food/water containers, or without a pasture storm shelter violates BMC 7.16.030. Intentional cruelty, neglect, or abandonment violates BMC 7.16 (Cruelty to Animals) and Chapter 16.52 RCW (gross misdemeanor or felony depending on degree). Field enforcement: Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control 360-733-2080.

This is one of the stricter rules in Bellingham's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Chickens & Livestock

BMC 7.12.060 (Keeping animals in the city - General regulations) allows hens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other domesticated fowl within Bellingham city limits if the birds are securely confined in a stable, building, fenced enclosure, or staked-out area that prevents them from getting within 50 feet of any dwelling or building where persons work or are accustomed to be. The Bellingham Municipal Code does not impose a numeric hen cap and does not categorically prohibit roosters. All fowl-keeping is subject to the sanitation, food/water, and 24-hour-care provisions of BMC 7.12.060. Violation is an infraction with a fine not to exceed $250.

Key details: Governing Code: BMC 7.12.060 - Keeping animals in the city (General regulations). Hens: Allowed - no numeric cap in BMC. Roosters: Not banned by BMC - subject to noise/nuisance complaints. Coop Setback: 50 ft from any neighbor's dwelling/work building. Sanitation: Required at all times - BMC 7.12.060.

Keeping chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, or other domesticated fowl in Bellingham without a secure enclosure that keeps the birds at least 50 feet from any dwelling or building where persons work or are accustomed to be is a violation of BMC 7.12.060 - an infraction with a fine not to exceed $250.00. Failing to maintain the coop in a sanitary condition, failing to provide suitable dry housing, wholesome food, and clean water, or leaving the premises for more than 24 hours without providing for the animal's care are independent violations of BMC 7.12.060 with the same penalty. A coop that fails to meet Bellingham Land Use Code (Title 20) accessory-structure setbacks from property lines is also subject to separate Planning Department enforcement. Field enforcement is by Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control (360-733-2080) under contract with the City; persistent or unsanitary keepers may have animals impounded under BMC 7.12.050.

Exotic Pets

BMC 7.12.100 requires a permit from animal control to own or maintain ANY wild or exotic animal in Bellingham; the annual permit fee is $20 per approved location. The permit issues only when public safety is not at risk and proper enclosures exist; facilities are subject to inspection on 24-hour notice. BMC 7.12.100 specifically prohibits private possession of lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, lynx, cougars, jaguars, venomous snakes, coyotes, and other species native to Washington (except as licensed under state law). Washington's statewide Dangerous Wild Animal Act (Chapter 16.30 RCW, effective 2007) independently prohibits new acquisitions of most big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and venomous reptiles.

Key details: Governing Code: BMC 7.12.100 - Exotic/wild animal permit required. Permit Fee: $20/year per approved location. Inspection: Required on 24-hour notice - refusal = revocation. Absolute Bans (BMC): Lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, lynx, cougars, jaguars, venomous snakes, coyotes, WA natives. State Law: Ch. 16.30 RCW - Dangerous Wild Animal Act (eff. 2007).

Owning or maintaining any wild or exotic animal in Bellingham without a BMC 7.12.100 permit, or refusing to submit to inspection on 24-hour notice, is a violation of the Bellingham Municipal Code with permit revocation and impoundment possible. Possession of a lion, tiger, bear, gorilla, lynx, cougar, jaguar, venomous snake, coyote, or other Washington-native species (except as licensed under state law) is categorically prohibited under BMC 7.12.100. Acquiring any 'potentially dangerous wild animal' listed in Chapter 16.30 RCW after July 22, 2007, or failing as a grandfathered owner to register annually with the local animal-control authority, maintain $200,000 liability insurance, and meet caging standards, is a Washington state violation (gross misdemeanor under RCW 16.30.040; second offense is a Class C felony). Privately owning a big cat in violation of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 is a federal offense regardless of state or city rules. Field enforcement: Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control 360-733-2080 in coordination with WDFW Police and WSDA.

Compared to other cities, Bellingham takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

BMC 7.12.060 expressly authorizes urban beekeeping in Bellingham subject to a 25-foot property-line setback (waived if the hive is 8 feet or more above adjacent grade, OR if a 6-foot solid fence or hedge extends parallel to the property line and at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions). Hives must be kept inaccessible to the public, and bee movements must not interfere with persons on adjacent properties or the right-of-way. All colonies must be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) under Chapter 15.60 RCW (RCW 15.60.021). The WSDA apiary registration deadline is April 1 each year.

Key details: Governing Code: BMC 7.12.060 - beekeeping subsection. Property-Line Setback: 25 ft (default). Height Exemption: 8+ ft above adjacent grade waives 25-ft setback. Flyway-Barrier Exemption: 6-ft solid fence/hedge parallel + extending 20 ft past hive both sides. Access Rule: Hives inaccessible to general public.

Locating a beehive within 25 feet of any property line without qualifying for the 8-foot height exemption or the 6-foot solid-fence-or-hedge (extending 20+ feet past the hive in both directions) exemption is a violation of BMC 7.12.060 - an infraction with a fine not to exceed $250. Failing to keep hives inaccessible to the general public, or operating an apiary in a way that interferes with the ordinary movements of persons on adjacent properties or the public right-of-way, is independently a BMC 7.12.060 violation. Failing to register every colony annually with WSDA by the April 1 deadline under RCW 15.60.021 is a state-law violation enforceable by WSDA. An unsanitary apiary may be cited under BMC 7.12.060's general sanitation requirement and may trigger Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control involvement (360-733-2080).

The Bottom Line

Bellingham is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Bellingham, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Bellingham's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.