Bellingham, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

The city's aquatic invasive species ordinance defines a prohibited aquatic invasive plant as any nonnative species listed under Washington's WAC 16-752-505, adopted into city law by reference, whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm. It is unlawful to transport or release any such species into a public water body within city limits, including Lake Whatcom reservoir and Lake Padden, and watercraft must pass inspection and decontamination and carry a valid AIS permit before launching on Lake Whatcom reservoir specifically.