Bellingham, WA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- No
- Allowed materials
- Yard waste, leaves, ashes
- Banned materials
- Animal waste, fats, raw garbage
- Condition
- No odor, pests, or scattering
Summary
Bellingham allows homeowners to compost yard waste on private property as long as the pile doesn't create odors, expose raw garbage, or draw pests, per BMC 9.12.030(B).
Vegetable wastes, ashes, leaves, grass, plant cuttings and other organic wastes may be composted on private premises or at a public place designated for composting, providing the compost site is maintained so as not to create odors, expose raw garbage, allow garbage to become scattered, or increase the risk from pests. Nonputrescible garbage and refuse, animal wastes, and materials containing animal or vegetable fats may not be composted. Composting in accord with this subsection shall not be a violation of BMC 9.04.040, 9.04.050 or Chapter 10.60 BMC. [Ord. 2025-02-003 § 1; Ord. 9344 § 1, 1984; Ord. 8293 § 3, 1974].
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
Bellingham Municipal Code § 9.12.030(B) permits composting vegetable waste, ashes, leaves, grass, and plant cuttings on private premises or at a designated public composting site, with no permit required. The condition is maintenance: the site can't create odors, expose raw garbage, let material scatter, or increase pest risk. Nonputrescible garbage, refuse, animal wastes, and anything containing animal or vegetable fats may not go in the pile. Compliant composting is expressly exempted from the city's general nuisance-dumping rules in BMC 9.04.040 and 9.04.050.
Violations & Fines
A noncompliant pile can be cited as a nuisance under BMC 9.04.030, subject to abatement by the health officer and a penalty under that chapter's provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to compost in my Bellingham backyard?
Can I compost meat or animal waste in Bellingham?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.