Does Whatcom County, WA have its own structure height limits ordinance?

No. Whatcom County, WA does not appear to have a local structure height limits ordinance, Washington state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Revised Code of Washington.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Whatcom County

Whatcom County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

RR district cap: 35 feet
URM district cap: 45 feet
RR-Island shoreline cap: 25 ft within 100 ft
Agriculture exemption: Barns and silos exempt
Airport overlay control: FAR Part 77 imaginary surface
Variance path: WCC § 20.80.675(3), hearing examiner

Summary

Whatcom County caps building height by zoning district instead of countywide: WCC § 20.32.400 sets 35 feet in the Residential Rural district, matching the Urban Residential and Rural districts, while neighboring districts run higher or lower and every district must also clear the airport-overlay limits of WCC § 20.80.675 where a mapped Part 77 surface applies.

City-specific rules exist: Bellingham has its own structure height limits rules that differ from Whatcom County's county-level regulations. If you live in Bellingham, check the city-specific page instead.

§ 20.32.400. Height limitations. Maximum height shall be limited to 35 feet. Height of structures shall also conform, where applicable, to the general requirements of WCC § 20.80.675.

Source: Revised Code of WashingtonView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963078; v4 updated 2026-06-23; through 06-23-2026).

Full Breakdown

675. 400) caps residential structures at 35 feet but exempts barns and silos outright. 024 are explicitly replaced by that section's own two-part hardship and public-interest test.

Violations & Fines

A structure built over WCC § 20.32.400's 35-foot cap without a variance is out of compliance with Whatcom County's zoning code and subject to code enforcement by Planning and Development Services, which can require the owner to modify or remove the noncompliant portion. Near a mapped airport, exceeding the FAR Part 77 imaginary surface without the WCC § 20.80.675(3) variance additionally risks an FAA finding that the structure is a hazard to air navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a house be in Whatcom County's Residential Rural district?

35 feet under WCC § 20.32.400, the same cap used in the Urban Residential, Rural and General Manufacturing districts. Height must also conform to WCC § 20.80.675 where a parcel sits under a mapped airport's FAR Part 77 imaginary surface.

Are height limits the same in every Whatcom County zoning district?

No. The Urban Residential Medium Density district allows 45 feet under WCC § 20.22.400, while the Rural Residential-Island district caps height at 25 feet within 100 feet of the marine shoreline and 30 feet beyond it under WCC § 20.34.400, both different from the RR district's 35-foot standard.

Can a barn exceed the 35-foot height limit in Whatcom County's Agriculture district?

Yes. WCC § 20.42.400 states that no residential structure or accessory building may exceed 35 feet, 'with the exception of barns and silos,' which the section exempts outright from the height cap that otherwise applies to farm buildings.

What if a building needs to exceed the height limit near an airport?

The owner must apply for a variance under WCC § 20.80.675(3), submitting FAA and airport-operator letters evaluating the effect on air navigation. The hearing examiner may grant it only after finding the strict height limit works an unnecessary hardship and that the added height will not endanger air navigation.

Sources & Official References

[1]Whatcom County Code § 20.32.400, Height Limitations (eCode360)

Other rules in Whatcom County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Setback RulesSome Restrictions Lot Coverage LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingLight Restrictions

All Whatcom County rules

Compare Whatcom County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Structure Height Limits in Cities Across Whatcom County

Bellingham, WA