Bellingham, WA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Bellingham's home occupation framework is set in BMC 20.10.045 under Title 20 (Land Use Development Code), administered by the Bellingham Planning and Community Development Department at the Permit Center (210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225). BMC 20.08.020 defines 'Home occupation' as 'an occupation carried on within the main residential building by the occupant thereof consistent with the provisions of BMC 20.10.045.' The substantive standards in BMC 20.10.045: (A) Permitted uses — personal services, business services, professional services, offices, and repair shops for household items; (B) Expressly prohibited uses — veterinarian offices/clinics, hospitals, mortuaries, major and/or minor automotive repair, eating and/or drinking establishments, stables, and kennels; (C) Location — the home occupation must be conducted within the main residential building (not in a detached accessory building, garage, or shed) by the occupant of the dwelling; (D) Residential character — there shall be no exterior modification of the building to accommodate the occupation, and no outward manifestation of the occupation visible from off the property; (E) Primary use — the primary use of the premises shall remain residential; (F) Employees — no more than one assistant or employee in addition to the resident(s) may engage in the occupation on the premises; (G) Parking — one off-street parking space shall be provided for the use of the employee; (H) Signage — a flat, unlighted sign flush against the building, not exceeding two square feet, stating only the name/address/phone number of the occupant and the occupation (see signage subcategory); (I) Exempt category — if the home occupation is limited to bookkeeping and office work for a business conducted elsewhere, has no outward manifestation, and no customers or employees coming to the home, it is 'exempt' and permitted outright with no land use permit required. Nonexempt home occupations require approval through BMC Title 21 land use procedures (typically a Type II administrative review per BMC 21.10.040). Bellingham is a code city under RCW 35A and has not enacted a Home-Based Business Protection Act analogous to Florida HB 403 or Arizona HB 2333 — local control under RCW 35A.63 leaves BMC 20.10.045 conditions fully enforceable. Washington's HB 1110 (2023, RCW 36.70A.635) Middle Housing Bill and HB 1337 (2023, RCW 36.70A.680-696) ADU mandate address housing density and accessory units — not home occupations — so BMC 20.10.045 remains in force. Bellingham aggressively adopted both HB 1110 and HB 1337 ahead of state deadlines (interim middle housing ordinance May 19, 2025; ADU update August 22, 2023).