Environmental Rules in Whatcom County, WA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Whatcom County bans illicit discharges into its municipal storm sewer system (MS4) in unincorporated areas under WCC Ch. 16.36, with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day and stop-work orders escalating to a gross misdemeanor for noncompliance.
Whatcom County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsWCC § 16.36.020(A); § 16.36.060(A)
The purpose of this chapter is to comply with provisions of the State of Washington Water Pollution Control Law (Chapter 90.48 RCW) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act, Title 33 United States Code, Section 1251 et seq.). Discharging certain substances to the county municipal separate storm sewage system (MS4) is prohibited. ... Any person who violates ...
Erosion Control
Whatcom County bans land-disturbing clearing over 500 square feet from October 1 through May 31 under WCC § 20.51.410, with narrow exemptions for emergencies, agriculture, and Department of Natural Resources forest practices. Inside the Lake Whatcom Watershed Overlay District the seasonal restriction runs September 15 through May 31, and any exempt disturbed soil must be stabilized within two days.
Whatcom County Seasonal Clearing Erosion Rules
Some RestrictionsWhatcom County Code § 20.51.410
Clearing activity, as defined in Chapter 20.97 WCC, or forest practices regulated by Whatcom County that will result in land disturbance exceeding 500 square feet shall be prohibited from October 1st through May 31st; provided, that the director may approve an exemption to this requirement for the following activities: Routine maintenance and repair of erosion and sediment control measures... S...
Coastal Development
Whatcom County's Salish Sea shoreline, Bellingham Bay, Lake Whatcom, and the Nooksack River are shorelines of the state. Under the Shoreline Management Act, work within 200 feet of the high-water mark needs a permit under the county's Shoreline Master Program.
Whatcom County Shoreline Development Rules
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 90.58.020
The legislature finds that the shorelines of the state are among the most valuable and fragile of its natural resources.
Flood Zones
Whatcom County enforces floodplain rules along the flood-prone Nooksack River. In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, new homes must sit above base flood elevation, building in the floodway is barred, and a floodplain development permit is required.
Whatcom County Floodplain Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 86.16.041
Every county and incorporated city and town shall submit to the department of ecology any new floodplain management ordinance or amendment to any existing floodplain management ordinance.
Boat Dock Permits
Whatcom County zones private, noncommercial boat docks by shoreline type: on a manmade canal built for boat traffic they are a flat-out permitted use in the Urban Residential district, but on natural shoreline they need either accessory-use status or, for lots abutting the open shoreline, a hearing-examiner conditional use permit under WCC § 20.20.150.
Whatcom County Boat Dock Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWCC § 20.20.150(.161)
Private, noncommercial boat docks, launches, ramps, floats, moorages and boathouses pursuant to the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program for owners of legal lots of record abutting the shoreline. The conditional use permit shall be approved if the hearing examiner finds that the proposal will not be hazardous or disturbing to neighbors and all applicable zoning requirements are satisfied...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Whatcom County's mapped special flood hazard areas, the flood protection elevation is base flood elevation plus one foot, and new or substantially improved residential structures must have their lowest floor, including basement, built to or above that line under WCC § 17.10.020(D) and § 17.16.080(A).
Whatcom County Flood Protection Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsWCC § 17.10.020(D); § 17.16.080(A)
D. The flood protection elevation shall be the base flood elevation plus one foot. ... A. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation, as determined in accordance with WCC § 17.10.020(D).
Environmental Rules by City in Whatcom County
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Whatcom County ordinances
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