Bellingham, WA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Default hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
- Max civil fine
- $250.00
- After-hours entry
- requires director's written permission
- Appeal body
- city hearing examiner
- Event permit lead time
- 30 to 365 days in advance
- Governing agency
- Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department
Summary
Bellingham parks, trails and other parks-and-recreation property close every night at 10:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m. Entering a closed park without the parks director's written permission is a civil infraction carrying up to a $250 fine, and the director's decisions under this chapter can be appealed to the city's hearing examiner.
8.04.040 Park hours. A. City parks are open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted by the director of parks and recreation. No person shall enter a closed park without written permission from the director of parks and recreation. B. A violation of this section is a civil infraction. ... 8.04.200 Infraction Penalty. A. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter that are designated civil infractions shall subject the violator to a maximum penalty of $250.00. B. The court may also order a person found to have committed a civil infraction to make restitution. ... 8.04.210 Appeal procedure. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the director of the parks and recreation department under this chapter may appeal the decision to the hearing examiner by filing a notice of appeal. The appeal notice shall be in writing and submitted to the hearing examiner.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010). unless the director of parks and recreation posts different hours for a specific site, and no one may enter a closed park without the director's written permission. 040(B) makes any violation a civil infraction. 200, caps that infraction at a $250 maximum fine and lets the court also order restitution. 030: a written application to the parks and recreation director's office at least 30 days but no more than 365 days before the event, with complete applications approved or denied within 20 days. 210. The chapter dates to Ord. 10612 (1995) and was last amended by Ord. 2021-06-026.
Violations & Fines
Being in a closed park (before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., or in a park posted with different closing hours) is a civil infraction under BMC 8.04.040(B), enforced under the chapter's general penalty section, BMC 8.04.200, which sets a maximum fine of $250.00 and allows the court to also order restitution. It is not charged as a misdemeanor under BMC 8.04.220, which is reserved for provisions of the chapter specifically designated as misdemeanors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be in a Bellingham park after 10 p.m.?
What happens if I'm caught in a closed park?
Do all Bellingham parks close at exactly 10 p.m.?
Can I appeal a park-hours citation or a director's decision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
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