Whatcom County limits how much of a lot structures may cover, set by zoning district. Rural Residential lots may be covered by the greater of 5,000 square feet or 20 percent, capped at 25,000 square feet. Farm buildings are exempt.
In the unincorporated county, WCC 20.32.450 governs lot coverage in the Rural Residential (RR) district: no structure or combination of structures may cover more than 5,000 square feet or 20 percent of the lot, whichever is greater, not to exceed 25,000 square feet. Public community facilities serving a rural area may cover up to 35 percent, and buildings used for livestock or agricultural products are exempt. Coverage feeds the county's stormwater rules, which are stricter inside the Lake Whatcom Watershed Overlay to protect the drinking-water reservoir. Other districts carry their own coverage figures. Bellingham, Lynden, and Ferndale apply their own Municipal Code limits.
Exceeding coverage blocks permit approval and can hold up a certificate of occupancy. Whatcom County Planning and Development Services requires the excess removed or a variance from the hearing examiner.
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