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Bellingham, WA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Credit amount
10% reduction, roof area only
Eligible buildings
New/remodeled commercial only
Governing section
BMC 15.16.040(E)
How to apply
Written request to finance director

Summary

Bellingham gives new or remodeled commercial buildings a 10 percent stormwater utility fee reduction for roof area served by a permissive rainwater harvesting system that offsets potable water use.

E. Credit for Permissive Rainwater Harvesting Systems. Any new or remodeled commercial building that utilizes a permissive rainwater harvesting system to offset potable water use shall be eligible for a 10 percent reduction in the monthly fee for the roof area used for rainwater harvesting. Areas other than the roof area are subject to the regular rate. Rainwater harvesting systems shall be properly sized to utilize the available roof surface of the building.

View official code

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

Under BMC 15.16.040(E), any new or remodeled commercial building in Bellingham that installs a permissive rainwater harvesting system to offset potable water use qualifies for a 10 percent reduction in its monthly stormwater utility fee, but only for the roof area actually used to harvest rainwater: the rest of the property is billed at the regular rate under BMC 15.16.030. The system must be properly sized to use the available roof surface. Owners apply in writing to the finance director under BMC 15.16.050, and the burden of proof to justify the credit is on the applicant.

Violations & Fines

This is a voluntary incentive, not a mandate: there is no penalty for skipping rainwater harvesting. A misapplied credit can be corrected by the finance director on a prospective basis under BMC 15.16.050(H), but no backcharge issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bellingham require rainwater harvesting?
No. Bellingham does not mandate it; BMC 15.16.040(E) offers a voluntary 10 percent stormwater utility fee credit for commercial buildings that install a permissive system.
Can homeowners get Bellingham's rainwater harvesting credit?
No. BMC 15.16.040(E) limits the credit to new or remodeled commercial buildings, applied only to the roof area used for rainwater harvesting.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bellingham

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsCompostingLight RestrictionsNative PlantsSignificant RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome Restrictions

All Bellingham rules

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