Animal Ordinances in Bellingham, WA (2026)

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.12.060(A)

Any person being the owner or entitled to the possession of any animal of the species of horse, mule, ass, cattle, sheep, goat...or swine of any kind, shall be permitted to keep the same within the limits of the city...by securely confining the same in a stable or other building; or an enclosure surrounded by a secure, well-built fence...provided, that the same is so confined or staked out as t...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.08.110(C)

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to cause, permit, or allow such dog to roam, run, stray, or to be away from the premises of such owner unless the dog is “under control” as defined in BMC 7.04.030. D. It is unlawful for the owner or handler of any dog to fail to remove fecal matter deposited by their animal on public property or public easement before the owner leaves the immediate area...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.08.130(A)

The animal control officer may find and declare a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous if the officer has probable cause to believe that the dog falls within the definition of “dangerous dog” or “potentially dangerous dog” set forth in BMC 7.04.030. The finding must be based upon: 1. The written complaint of a citizen who is willing to testify that the animal has acted in a manner which ...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.12.060(B)

No person shall locate a beehive within 25 feet of any property line except: 1. When the hive is situated eight feet or more above the grade immediately adjacent to the subject lot; or 2. When the hive is situated less than eight feet above the grade...and behind a solid fence or hedge at least six feet in height...extending at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions. All colonies must...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.12.100

A. A permit from the animal control authority shall be required for any person, firm, corporation or business to own or maintain any wild or exotic animal... F. No person shall be permitted to own, harbor, or maintain any lion, tiger, bear, gorilla, lynx, cougar, jaguar or venomous snake, coyote, or any other native species to Washington except as licensed under state law.

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.12.130

a person commits an offense if the person intentionally feeds deer or raccoons, or makes food available for consumption by said animals on private or public property within the territorial limits of the city. A person shall be presumed to have intentionally fed deer or raccoons...if the person places food, or causes food to be placed, on the ground outdoors or in any outdoor area reachable by t...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.16.010(B)

It is unlawful to keep any fowls or animals within the city unless the places where they are kept are at all times maintained in a sanitary condition. If the animal control authority determines that the condition of the place where the fowls or animals are kept is unsanitary, the party so keeping the same shall have a period not to exceed five days in which to place the same in a sanitary condi...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.12.010

An animal shall be deemed at large whenever found upon any highway or public place and not being lawfully driven or led in transit over the same; whenever found or staked or tethered within 50 feet of the dwelling, building, or structure of another, or without the consent of the owner or lessee thereof upon the property of another; or whenever kept, found, staked, or tethered in violation of an...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.08.090(A)(2)-(3)

2. Any unaltered dog impounded more than once within a 12-month period shall be spayed or neutered by the animal control authority prior to the release of the dog. The cost of the spay or neuter shall be charged to the owner, who shall pay the charge prior to redeeming the dog. 3. The owner of an unaltered dog that has been impounded more than once within a 12-month period may, within 72 hours ...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 7.16.120

The violation of any law or regulation of the United States or of the state of Washington with reference to songbirds, game birds, or migratory birds or waterfowl is a misdemeanor under this chapter, and such violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor as fully and completely as though the laws and regulations referred to were set out in full as a part of this chapter. [Ord. 10468 § 2, 1993]. ...