Public Health Rules in Whatcom County, WA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Restaurant Grade Cards

Whatcom County's health department inspects every food establishment under Whatcom County Code Chapter 24.03, which adopts the state Retail Food Code at WAC 246-215 and requires inspectors to use DOH Form 332-035, scoring each violation as a red high-risk or blue low-risk hazard point.

Whatcom County Restaurant Inspection Rules

Some Restrictions

Whatcom County Code § 24.03.020

Whatcom County hereby adopts Chapter 246-215 WAC, Retail Food Code. If a conflict arises between Chapter 246-215 WAC and this chapter, as amended, the more restrictive regulation shall prevail. Whatcom County will automatically incorporate any subsequent amendments to Chapter 246-215 WAC into this chapter. DOH Form 332-035, Food Establishment Inspection Report, or other inspection form approved...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Syringe Disposal

Whatcom County Code 24.06.040 bars residents from tossing loose sharps in the regular trash cart once a residential sharps collection station exists, and separately licenses any sharps collection station through the county Health Department's Solid Waste Program.

Whatcom County Sharps Collection Rules

Some Restrictions

Whatcom County Code § 24.06.040(B)(8), (D)

A residential generator shall not dispose of sharps into cans, carts, drop boxes or other containers in which refuse, trash or solid waste is placed for collection if a sharps collection station has been established for residential sharps waste. ... D. Sharps Collection Stations. No person shall operate or maintain a sharps collection station unless the facility meets all of the following requi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Health Rules by City in Whatcom County

1 cities in Whatcom County have their own public health rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BellinghamPop. 91,482

1 verified rule • Rodent Control

All Whatcom County ordinances

See every category we cover for Whatcom County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Whatcom County Ordinance Hub →