Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bellingham, WA (2026)
1 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Bellingham building setbacks are set in BMC 20.30.040 Table 20.30.040 (Residential Single Minimum Yards) for RS zones and corresponding tables in BMC 20.32 for RM (Residential Multi) zones, layered with the neighborhood-specific zoning tables in BMC 20.00 (25 neighborhoods, each with its own table). Typical RS setbacks: front 20-25 ft, side 5-7 ft, rear 20-25 ft. Max main-building height 35 ft (definition 1) or 20 ft (definition 2). Detached accessory buildings 5 ft side/rear per BMC 20.30.100. Detached ADUs 5 ft side/rear (zero from alley) per BMC 20.10.036. WA HB 1110 + HB 1337 expand allowable forms; Bellingham implemented both ahead of state deadlines.
Bellingham Building Setbacks (BMC 20.30.040 + 20.10.080)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Whatcom County →