Business Licensing & Operations in Bellingham, WA (2026)
3 verified business licensing & operations rules for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Bellingham requires a separate city license for each adult cabaret, arcade, motel, or motion picture theater, with fees up to $500 a year and detailed premises, conduct, and hours-of-operation standards under BMC Chapter 6.30.
Bellingham Adult Entertainment Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code §§ 6.30.040, 6.30.100
An application for an adult entertainment license shall be made on a form provided by the city. Such license is in addition to the general business registration required by Chapter 6.05 BMC. A separate license shall be obtained for each category of business defined in BMC 6.30.020 and for each location. ... The adult entertainment performance area ... shall be a stage or platform at least 18 in...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Bellingham's home occupation rules flatly prohibit major or minor automotive repair businesses from operating out of a residence, alongside vet clinics, mortuaries, restaurants, stables and kennels.
Bellingham Bars Home Auto Repair Business
Heavy RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.045(B)(1)
Home occupations must be conducted within the main residential building by the occupant. The occupation may include such uses as personal, business, or professional services, or offices and repair shops for household items; however, veterinarian offices and clinics, hospitals, mortuaries, major and/or minor automotive repairs, eating and/or drinking establishments, stables, or kennels are prohi...
Towing Companies
Bellingham police and parking officers may impound vehicles blocking traffic, illegally parked in loading zones, or carrying four or more unpaid parking tickets, under a city towing contract with a capped $100 fee.
Bellingham Non-Consent Vehicle Towing
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 11.18.020
In addition to the impound situations authorized pursuant to RCW 46.55.113, a Bellingham police officer or parking enforcement officer may take custody of a vehicle ... when a vehicle is parked in a public right-of-way ... in violation of any law ... and there are four or more parking infractions issued against the vehicle for each of which a person has failed to respond, failed to appear at a ...
Looking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Whatcom County →