Why Bellingham Has Some of the Strictest Homelessness & Encampment Rules in the State

Bellingham maintains 133 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with homelessness & encampment rules. 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.

Sit-Lie Rules

Bellingham bars sitting or lying on public sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the downtown and Fairhaven business districts, plus any city-designated shelter protection area, with narrow exceptions.

Key details: Restricted hours: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.. Zones: CBD, Fairhaven Business District. Extra layer: any shelter protection area, all hours. Citation: BMC 10.24.070.

First violation is a $250 civil infraction (or $100 default with community service in lieu); a third or later violation is a misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail, or both.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Bellingham actively enforces its sit-lie rules requirements.

Encampment Sanitation

Bellingham permits temporary homeless building encampments only with mandated trash patrols, county-approved toilet counts, and food-safety compliance under a city temporary use permit.

Key details: Governing section: BMC 20.15.030(F)-(I). Toilet count: Set case-by-case with county health dept. Max occupancy: 1 bed per 35 sq ft. Permitted zones: Industrial, commercial, public only.

Operating an encampment without the required temporary use permit, or violating its sanitation conditions, lets the director close the shelter under BMC 20.15.090 until compliance is achieved; closure decisions are appealable to the hearing examiner.

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.

The Bottom Line

Bellingham is tougher than many cities when it comes to homelessness & encampment rules. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 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.

These rules come from Bellingham's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.