Short-Term Rentals in Bellingham, WA (2026)

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(C)

C. Process. Upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, all short-term rental operators will be required to obtain a short-term rental permit. Short-term rental permit applications will be processed per the table below as a Type I or Type II permit in accordance with Chapter 21.10 BMC, Procedures and Administration.

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(6)(a), (D)(9)

The short-term rental must be operated in a way that will prevent unreasonable disturbances to nearby residents. ... Type I or Type II short-term rentals must not include weddings, banquets, parties, charitable fundraising, or other gatherings for direct or indirect compensation... Small, informal noncommercial gatherings of family and friends of short-term rental guests are permitted, provided...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(13)

13. Licenses and Taxes. a. Short-term rental operators shall meet all local, state and federal requirements regarding licenses and taxes. b. Proof of a valid business license is required with the short-term rental permit application.

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(5)

At least one off-street parking space must be provided for guests on site during guest stay. The planning director may determine, through a simple parking analysis provided by the applicant, that on-street parking or nearby parking may be substituted for off-street parking. 6. Appearance and Behavior. a. The short-term rental must be operated in a way that will prevent unreasonab...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(4)

4. Number of Guests. No more than two guests, excluding children five years old and under, per bedroom are permitted per guest stay.

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(14)

Short-term rental operators shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the short-term rental use in the aggregate of not less than $1,000,000 or conduct each short-term rental transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage. 15. Renewal. Short-term rental permits must be renewed on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year. 16. Non...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(C)(1), Table Note 1

The subject dwelling unit must serve as the primary residence of the applicant (the owner or long-term tenant) for no less than 270 days per year. The whole dwelling unit may be rented for no more than 95 days per year. (1) ... 1In commercial and urban village general use type areas, the requirements for the minimum number of days per year the dwelling unit must serve as the primary residence o...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(C)(1); (D)(3)

The subject dwelling unit must serve as the primary residence of the applicant (the owner or long-term tenant) for no less than 270 days per year. ... 3. Proof of Primary Residency. An affidavit must be submitted to the planning and community development department on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year attesting to primary residency when the short-term rental is identified as suc...

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(C)(1), process table

Primary Residence. No more than 5 bedrooms in a dwelling unit, including an accessory dwelling unit (when permitted), may be rented to overnight guests. The subject dwelling unit must serve as the primary residence of the applicant (the owner or long-term tenant) for no less than 270 days per year. The whole dwelling unit may be rented for no more than 95 days per year.

Bellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.037(D)(17)(a), (c)

If an operator fails to comply with the regulations of this section and conditions of approval, the planning director shall work with the applicant to achieve voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the planning director may revoke a short-term rental permit for failure to comply with the regulations of this section. Any such decision may be appealed to the hearing exa...