How Bellingham Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Bellingham maintains 133 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with public conduct. 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.

Public Marijuana Use

Bellingham bars anyone from opening a marijuana package or consuming marijuana or a marijuana-infused product anywhere open to the view of the general public. BMC 10.08.080 makes the offense a civil infraction capped at $250, a lighter charge than the city's separate misdemeanor for unlawful possession of larger amounts.

Key details: Governing section: BMC 10.08.080. Violation class: Civil infraction. Maximum fine: $250.00 plus statutory assessments. THC threshold for "marijuana": Greater than 0.3% dry weight. Covers: Opening package and consuming/using.

A first violation of BMC 10.08.080 is a civil infraction. Under the city's general penalty schedule, BMC 1.28.010(D), a civil infraction carries a fine of not more than $250.00, plus mandatory statutory assessments added on top of that amount. There is no separate escalated penalty written into BMC 10.08.080 itself for repeat violations; each incident is charged individually as a civil infraction.

Public Alcohol Use

Bellingham bars opening, possessing an open container of, or consuming liquor in any public place unless the site or event holds both state liquor licensing and written city permission; violators face a civil infraction.

Key details: Prohibited act: open container or drinking in public. Exception: licensed and permitted events only. Classification: civil infraction. Citation: BMC 10.08.070.

Civil infraction under BMC 10.08.070(B) for opening, possessing an open container of, or consuming liquor in public without state licensing and written city permission.

Compared to other cities, Bellingham takes a harder line on public alcohol use. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Public Urination

Bellingham makes it unlawful to intentionally urinate or defecate somewhere the public can observe it: streets, sidewalks, parks, parking lots, and even parked cars all count as public places under BMC 10.24.020.

Key details: Prohibited act: urinating or defecating where observable. Classification: misdemeanor (default penalty). Citation: BMC 10.24.020. Adopted: 1993, Ord. 10439.

Default misdemeanor penalty applies under BMC 10.04.050, since 10.24.020 sets no penalty of its own: a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.

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

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Bellingham bans smoking, including vaping on electronic smoking devices, in any city-owned or city-operated public place, from parks and trails to city buildings, unless the mayor has designated a smoking area. The ban does not reach streets, alleys or sidewalks, and intentional violations draw a civil fine of up to $250.00.

Key details: Covered locations: city parks, trails, buildings, facilities, vehicles. Excluded locations: streets, alleys, sidewalks. Vaping covered: yes, electronic smoking devices included. Who designates smoking areas: the mayor. Max civil fine: $250.00.

Intentionally smoking in a designated nonsmoking public place, or removing, defacing or destroying a required no-smoking sign, is punishable under BMC 8.16.060 by a civil fine of up to $250.00. Law enforcement personnel issue a notice of infraction, assessed the same way as a traffic infraction, rather than a criminal citation.

Skateboarding Rules

Skateboarding is flatly illegal on the streets, sidewalks, alleys, and parking lots of downtown Bellingham's central business district, the Fairhaven business district, and the block around the public library, under BMC 11.52.010. A violation is a civil infraction carrying up to a $250.00 fine or community service.

Key details: Restricted zones: CBD, Fairhaven district, library block. Maximum fine: $250.00 civil infraction. Alternative penalty: Community service hours. What's banned: Using, riding, or propelling a skateboard. Where it applies: Streets, alleys, sidewalks, parking lots, public places.

Skateboarding inside a restricted zone is a civil infraction under BMC 11.52.035, punishable by a fine of up to $250.00. The court may impose community service hours instead of or in addition to the monetary penalty. Enforcement falls to Bellingham police, with citations processed through Bellingham Municipal Court in Whatcom County under the city's standard civil-infraction procedure.

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

The Bottom Line

Bellingham is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 5 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.

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.