Home Business in Bellingham, WA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Bellingham confines home occupations to the main residential building, bars exterior signs of commercial use, and requires the home to stay primarily residential in character rather than business-dominated.
Bellingham Home Occupation Use Standards
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.045(B)(2)
There shall be no exterior modification of the building in order to accommodate the occupation, nor shall there be any outward manifestation of the occupation. No home occupation shall be located anywhere but in the main building. The primary use of the premises shall be residential and at no time shall the home occupation be the predominant use. 3. No more than one assistant or employee, ...
Signage Rules
Bellingham limits a home-based business to one sign of no more than two square feet per face under BMC 20.12.040. In single-family districts the sign may be indirectly lighted; in duplex and multifamily districts it must instead sit flush against the building. Either way, the message is restricted to the occupant's name, address and phone number, and violations carry escalating fines under Chapter 20.52 BMC.
Bellingham Home Occupation Sign Size Limit
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.12.040(A)(4)(b)(ii); (A)(5)(b)(ii)
4. Residential Single General Use Type. ... ii. Use – Residential and Home Occupation. One sign, which may be indirectly lighted, not more than two square feet in area per sign face shall be permitted. Message shall be limited to name/address/phone number of the occupant/business. ... 5. Residential Multi General Use Type. ... ii. Use – Home Occupation. One sign not more than two square feet in...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Bellingham exempts home-based businesses that draw no clients or workers to the house, but any home occupation that does bring customers or employees to the residence must get a nonexempt permit reviewed under Chapter 21.10 BMC.
Bellingham Home Business Customer Traffic
Significant RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.045
If the home occupation is limited to those activities which involve bookkeeping and office for a business conducted elsewhere, has no outward manifestation of the business, and no customers or employees coming to the home, it shall be considered "exempt." An exempt home occupation shall be considered an accessory use and permitted outright with no land use permit required. A nonexempt home occu...
Home Daycare
Bellingham treats state-licensed family child care homes serving up to 12 children as an outright accessory use, but larger in-home mini-day centers count as a home occupation.
Bellingham Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.16.020(D)(1)(a)
The care of up to 12 children under the age of 12 years, including children who reside at the home, supervised by the occupant of the residence and licensed as a "family child care home" by the state of Washington shall be regarded as an accessory use requiring no permit. All day care facilities, including family day care homes, shall comply with state regulations and licensing requirements.
Looking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Home Business in Whatcom County →