Environmental Rules in Bellingham, WA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Bellingham operates a regulated Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under the Washington Department of Ecology Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit and codifies its program in BMC Title 15 — primarily Chapter 15.42 (Stormwater Management), Chapter 15.40 (Drainage), and Chapter 15.16 (Surface and Stormwater Utility). The Public Works Department administers the surface and stormwater utility, billed monthly through BMC 15.04 utility-billing provisions. Engineering review applies the Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW) as the design standard. Because the city's drinking-water source — Lake Whatcom — is impaired for phosphorus, BMC 15.42 contains heightened protections that go beyond the SWMMWW baseline.
Stormwater Management in Bellingham
Heavy RestrictionsErosion Control
Erosion and construction stormwater controls in Bellingham are codified in BMC Chapter 15.42 (Stormwater Management) with site-specific overlays in BMC Chapter 16.80 (Lake Whatcom Reservoir Regulatory Provisions) and BMC Chapter 16.55 (Critical Areas). Any construction activity that disturbs land must apply source-control and runoff-treatment BMPs from the Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW). Sites that clear or grade one acre or more must also obtain Ecology's Construction Stormwater General Permit, prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and keep it on site. Inside the Lake Whatcom watershed, BMC 16.80.120 restricts ground-disturbing activities to June 1 through September 30 each year.
Erosion and Construction Stormwater Control in Bellingham
Heavy RestrictionsFlood Zones
Bellingham's floodplain regulations live in BMC Chapter 17.76 (Construction in Floodplains) and BMC Chapter 16.55 (Critical Areas, frequently flooded areas). The areas of special flood hazard are those identified by FEMA in the Flood Insurance Study for Whatcom County, Washington and Incorporated Areas dated January 18, 2019, with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), as adopted by reference in BMC 17.76.030. Whatcom Creek, Squalicum Creek, Padden Creek and Chuckanut Creek are the principal mapped watercourses inside the city, and the 2009 floods on Whatcom Creek remain a benchmark event for community awareness. Any development within a Special Flood Hazard Area requires a floodplain development permit before work begins.
Flood Zones in Bellingham
Heavy RestrictionsGrading & Drainage
Bellingham's grading and drainage review sits at the intersection of BMC Chapter 15.42 (Stormwater Management), BMC Chapter 15.40 (Drainage), BMC Chapter 16.55 (Critical Areas), BMC Chapter 16.80 (Lake Whatcom Reservoir Regulatory Provisions) and the Washington State Building Code adopted by reference under BMC Title 17. The Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW) sets the technical design standard. Redevelopment projects of 5,000 square feet or more of land disturbance trigger Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 5. Public Works (Engineering Division) reviews drainage submittals.
Grading and Drainage in Bellingham
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Environmental Rules in Whatcom County →