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Rental Property Rules

How Bellingham Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Bellingham maintains 133 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with rental property 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.

Repairs & Habitability

Bellingham's certificate-of-inspection program spells out exact conditions a rental unit must meet -- building and fire code minimums for structure, sanitation, heating, electrical, egress, alarms and fitness for habitation -- under BMC 6.15.050(B).

Key details: Checklist covers: Structure, sanitation, heating, egress. Habitability tie-in: RCW 59.18.060. Inspection validity: 90 days before certificate. New requirement: Locking mail receptacles.

A unit that fails inspection cannot be registered until repaired and re-certified; renting it anyway is unlawful under BMC 6.15.080 and can draw a $200-$500-per-day civil infraction under BMC 6.15.150.

Rental Registration

Bellingham requires landlords to register every rental property with the city before renting a residential housing unit, under a program that has run since August 2015 and covers nearly all rental housing, with limited exemptions.

Key details: Registration required since: August 1, 2015. Expires: Dec. 31 of following year. Fine: $200-$500 per day. Administered by: Planning & Community Dev..

Renting without a valid registration exposes the owner to civil infractions under BMC 6.15.150 -- fines up to $200/day for the first 10 days, then $500/day -- plus registration denial, suspension or revocation.

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

The Bottom Line

Bellingham's rental property rules 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.

This guide is based on Bellingham's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.