Bellingham, WA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Lake Whatcom is the City of Bellingham's drinking water reservoir. Outdoor water conservation is administered by the City of Bellingham under its Outdoor Water Conservation program, coordinated regionally through the Whatcom Water Alliance. The City implements a voluntary summer watering schedule from June 1 to September 30 annually: even-numbered street addresses water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses water only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; no watering on Mondays. The City's official guidance includes: apply only one inch of water per week to maintain lawn health; water during early morning hours (7-10 a.m.) to minimize evaporation; let lawns go dormant in summer (grass grows back in the fall); set mower blades to 2-3 inches tall for healthier root systems; adjust sprinklers to avoid watering pavement; and consider replacing turf with native plants. The schedule is voluntary — there is no monetary penalty for non-compliance in published code — but the City emphasizes that summer demand directly affects Lake Whatcom drawdown. The City also offers an irrigation controller rebate program and water conservation pledge with free tools. At the state level, RCW Chapter 90.03 (Washington Water Code) governs surface water rights statewide; the WA Department of Ecology may issue curtailment orders during drought.