Bellingham, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted hours
- 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Zones
- CBD, Fairhaven Business District
- Extra layer
- any shelter protection area, all hours
- Citation
- BMC 10.24.070
Summary
Bellingham bars sitting or lying on public sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the downtown and Fairhaven business districts, plus any city-designated shelter protection area, with narrow exceptions.
A. Prohibition. No person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or upon a blanket, chair, stool, bollard, planter, fountain, railing or any other object placed upon a public sidewalk, during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the following zones: 1. Central Business District... 2. The Fairhaven Business District... E. A violation of this section shall be a civil infraction and shall subject the violator to a fine of up to $250.00, plus statutory assessment.
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
BMC 10.24.070 prohibits sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk, or on any object placed there, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. within the mapped Central Business District and Fairhaven Business District, and at any time within a council-designated 'shelter protection area,' which extends the ban to streets, curbs, parking lots, medians, and trails. Exceptions cover medical emergencies, wheelchair or mobility-device users, permitted street-use activity, sitting on a supplied bench, and waiting at a bus stop. A citation requires the person to have first been warned by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violates the section.
Violations & Fines
First violation is a $250 civil infraction (or $100 default with community service in lieu); a third or later violation is a misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sit on a downtown Bellingham sidewalk?
What happens on the first offense?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
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