Bellingham's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Bellingham, Washington, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Juvenile Curfew

Bellingham no longer has a juvenile curfew: the city council repealed Chapter 10.62 outright by Ordinance 2024-12-035, leaving no citywide curfew for minors.

Key details: Status: Chapter 10.62 fully repealed. Repealing ordinance: Ord. 2024-12-035. Current rule: No citywide minor curfew. County/state backstop: None.

None: there is no curfew ordinance to violate. General laws such as trespass or nuisance can still apply to specific conduct by minors after dark.

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

Park Curfew

Bellingham parks, trails and other parks-and-recreation property close every night at 10:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m. Entering a closed park without the parks director's written permission is a civil infraction carrying up to a $250 fine, and the director's decisions under this chapter can be appealed to the city's hearing examiner.

Key details: Default hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Max civil fine: $250.00. After-hours entry: requires director's written permission. Appeal body: city hearing examiner. Event permit lead time: 30 to 365 days in advance.

Being in a closed park (before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., or in a park posted with different closing hours) is a civil infraction under BMC 8.04.040(B), enforced under the chapter's general penalty section, BMC 8.04.200, which sets a maximum fine of $250.00 and allows the court to also order restitution. It is not charged as a misdemeanor under BMC 8.04.220, which is reserved for provisions of the chapter specifically designated as misdemeanors.

The Bottom Line

Bellingham's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Bellingham is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Bellingham can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.