How Bellingham Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Bellingham maintains 133 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping 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.

Rainwater Harvesting

Bellingham gives new or remodeled commercial buildings a 10 percent stormwater utility fee reduction for roof area served by a permissive rainwater harvesting system that offsets potable water use.

Key details: Credit amount: 10% reduction, roof area only. Eligible buildings: New/remodeled commercial only. Governing section: BMC 15.16.040(E). How to apply: Written request to finance director.

This is a voluntary incentive, not a mandate: there is no penalty for skipping rainwater harvesting. A misapplied credit can be corrected by the finance director on a prospective basis under BMC 15.16.050(H), but no backcharge issues.

Bellingham is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing trees or clearing vegetation on private property anywhere in Bellingham requires a building, street or utility permit or an approved management plan, plus a retention plan for every 'significant tree' six inches or larger in diameter.

Key details: Applies to: Any lot or parcel citywide. 'Significant tree': 6+ inches diameter at breast height. Exempt: Clearing under 500 square feet. Penalty: Up to $1,000 per day. Reviewing depts: Planning (PCDD) and public works.

Clearing or removing vegetation without the required permit or authorization is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 per offense, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; the city can also issue a stop-work order and require restoration.

Composting

Bellingham allows homeowners to compost yard waste on private property as long as the pile doesn't create odors, expose raw garbage, or draw pests, per BMC 9.12.030(B).

Key details: Permit needed: No. Allowed materials: Yard waste, leaves, ashes. Banned materials: Animal waste, fats, raw garbage. Condition: No odor, pests, or scattering.

A noncompliant pile can be cited as a nuisance under BMC 9.04.030, subject to abatement by the health officer and a penalty under that chapter's provisions.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Bellingham gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Native Plants

Within Basin One of the Lake Whatcom watershed, Bellingham requires new residential development to permanently retain 30 to 75 percent of the site as native forest cover: this is not a citywide rule.

Key details: Where it applies: Lake Whatcom Basin One only. Fully engineered method: 30% of site retained. Forested method: 75% of site retained. Protection: Permanent conservation easement.

Disturbing the NVPA without authorization brings a civil penalty up to $1,500 per violation (minimum $100) plus city-ordered restoration of the damaged area (BMC 16.80.150).

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

Weed Ordinances

Bellingham caps weeds and plant growth on any premises at six inches under its amended Property Maintenance Code, with noxious weeds banned outright and cultivated gardens exempt.

Key details: Max height: 6 inches. Applies to: All premises & exterior property. Noxious weeds: Fully prohibited. Citation: BMC 17.10.020, IPMC §302.4. Penalty: Civil infraction, $100–$2,050.

Letting weeds or grass exceed six inches is a civil infraction of $100 to $2,050 under BMC 17.10.020 §114.4; each day the violation continues is a separate offense.

Tree Trimming

Bellingham requires a city street tree permit before major pruning or removal of any tree in a planting strip or right-of-way, with a licensed trimmer sometimes required.

Key details: Permit needed for: major pruning or removal. Major pruning threshold: branches 2 inches or more. Licensed trimmer: may be required by city. Permit validity: expires 30 days from issuance. Enforcing dept: Parks and Recreation Department.

Violating the permit chapter is a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine, up to 90 days jail, plus payment of the tree's replacement value, per BMC 13.40.150(D).

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Bellingham gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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.