Sign Regulations in Bellingham, WA (2026)
3 verified sign regulations for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Bellingham regulates signs through BMC Chapter 20.12 (General Standards) of the Land Use Development code. Political signs are treated as temporary signs and must be on private property with the owner's consent; the public right-of-way is generally off-limits to political signage. Washington State has no statewide preemption of municipal political-sign rules, but content-based restrictions are constrained by First Amendment case law (Reed v. Town of Gilbert).
Bellingham Political / Election Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsGarage Sale Signs
Garage-sale signs in Bellingham fall under the temporary-sign provisions of BMC 20.12.040 and may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, street signs, traffic-control devices, hydrants, trees, or fences. They must be on the private property where the sale is occurring (one unlighted sign up to six square feet per residential street frontage) and removed when the sale ends. Off-premise directional signs in the right-of-way are subject to removal by Code Compliance.
Bellingham Garage Sale Signs
Few RestrictionsHoliday Displays
Bellingham does not impose a calendar-based take-down deadline for residential holiday lights or seasonal decorations, and they are not treated as 'signs' subject to BMC 20.12.040 permitting when they convey only a non-commercial holiday message. Limits derive from the BMC 10.28 nuisance provisions, the BMC 10.24 public-disturbance noise rules, and right-of-way encroachment rules in Title 13. HOAs may impose additional aesthetic standards.
Bellingham Holiday Lights & Decorations
Few RestrictionsLooking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Sign Regulations in Whatcom County →