Landscaping Rules in Bellingham, WA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The Bellingham Municipal Code does not set a specific numeric height limit (e.g., 8 or 12 inches) for grass or weeds on private property. Instead, vegetation is regulated under BMC Chapter 10.28 (Nuisances) when it obstructs sidewalks, streets, sight triangles, or utilities, and under BMC 13.40.050 which makes abutting property owners responsible for maintaining vegetation in the planting strip and on adjacent sidewalks.
Bellingham Grass & Vegetation — Nuisance / Right-of-Way Control (BMC 10.28 & 13.40)
Few RestrictionsTree Trimming
Under BMC Chapter 13.40 (Street Trees and Other Vegetation), no person may perform major pruning or remove trees in planting strips, improved rights-of-way, or other public places without first obtaining a Street Tree Permit from the City. Topping is unlawful as a normal practice, and the City may require that pruning be performed by a licensed tree trimmer.
Bellingham Tree Trimming — Street Tree Permit Required (BMC 13.40)
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Bellingham regulates tree removal on multiple tracks: (1) the Emergency Landmark Tree Ordinance (adopted May 20, 2024; extended through September 2026) protects any healthy tree 36 inches or greater DBH from removal without City approval, with fines of $800 to $5,000 per violation; (2) BMC Chapter 16.60 (Land Clearing) regulates 'significant trees' (6 in. DBH or greater) during development; and (3) BMC 13.40 requires a Street Tree Permit to remove any tree in a public right-of-way.
Bellingham Tree Removal — Landmark Trees (36" DBH), Significant Trees & Street Trees
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Weed control in Bellingham is enforced by the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board under Washington State Law RCW Chapter 17.10, covering all Class A weeds and the County's selected Class B/C weeds. Within the Lake Whatcom watershed, BMC 15.42.050 additionally prohibits applying any fertilizer, mulch, or soil amendment containing more than zero percent phosphorus, eliminating most lawn-and-weed chemical products in the basin.
Bellingham Weed Control — Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board (RCW 17.10) + BMC 15.42.050 Phosphorus Rule
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Bellingham draws its drinking water from Lake Whatcom and asks residents to follow a voluntary summer watering schedule from June 1 to September 30 to reduce stress on the supply. Even-numbered addresses water Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses water Sundays/Wednesdays/Fridays; no watering on Mondays. The City recommends one inch per week, early morning. Washington's surface water rights are administered by the WA Department of Ecology under RCW 90.03.
Bellingham Outdoor Watering — Voluntary Summer Schedule (Jun 1–Sep 30) to Protect Lake Whatcom
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Washington State allows rooftop-collected rainwater to be used on the property where it is collected without a water-right permit, under Department of Ecology Interpretive Policy Statement POL-1017 (2009) interpreting RCW 90.03. Bellingham does not impose a separate barrel-permit requirement, and rainwater harvesting is actively encouraged as a stormwater LID practice within the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Bellingham Rainwater Harvesting — Allowed Under WA Ecology Policy POL-1017
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Within the Lake Whatcom watershed, BMC 16.80.080 requires residential single development to retain (or restore) at least 30% of the total site area as a Native Vegetation Protection Area (NVPA) of native trees, understory, and ground cover, protected in perpetuity by covenant or conservation easement. Outside the watershed, BMC 20.12.030 (Landscaping) requires tree species to be native to the area or recognized as easily adaptable to the climate for commercial and multi-family landscaping.
Bellingham Native Plant Landscaping — Required in Lake Whatcom NVPA (BMC 16.80) & Adaptable Species (BMC 20.12)
Some RestrictionsArtificial Turf
The Bellingham Municipal Code does not contain a specific provision allowing or prohibiting artificial turf on private residential property. However, synthetic turf cannot satisfy the 30% Native Vegetation Protection Area (NVPA) requirement under BMC 16.80.080 in the Lake Whatcom watershed, and Washington State has no statewide HOA xeriscape protection statute, so private HOAs can set their own rules.
Bellingham Artificial Turf — No Specific City Code; Restricted in Lake Whatcom NVPA
Few RestrictionsLooking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Whatcom County →