Bellingham, WA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Max penalty
- $250 per infraction
- Stoplight sites
- 5 named intersections
- School zones
- Shuksan Middle, Roosevelt Elementary
- Review
- City council reviews annually
Summary
Bellingham runs red-light and school-zone speed cameras at five listed intersections and two schools under state authority, with violations capped at a $250 fine and processed like parking tickets.
are authorized to use automated traffic cameras and related automated systems to detect one or more of the following: (1) stoplight violations, (2) railroad crossing violations, and (3) school speed zone violations.
B. The use of automated traffic safety cameras is subject to the following restrictions:
1. Use of automated traffic safety cameras is restricted to two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings, and school speed zones only.
2. For stoplight violations, the use of automated traffic safety cameras shall be limited to the following intersections: westbound E. Holly at N. Forest; northbound Ellis St. at Lakeway Drive; northbound Meridian St. at Telegraph Road; southbound Samish Way at 36th St., and northbound 36th St. at Samish Way.
3. For school speed zone violations, the use of automated traffic safety cameras shall be limited to the following locations: Shuksan Middle School on Northwest Ave. between W. Maplewood Ave. and Alderwood Ave., and Roosevelt Elementary on Alabama St. between Michigan St. and Woburn St.
4. Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring. Pictures taken by automated traffic safety cameras may not reveal the face of the driver or the passengers in the vehicle.
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
Chapter 11.16 BMC authorizes Bellingham police, acting under RCW 46.63.170, to run automated traffic safety cameras for stoplight violations, railroad-crossing violations and school speed-zone violations. BMC 11.16.020 limits stoplight cameras to five named intersections, including E. Holly at N. Forest and Samish Way at 36th St., and school-zone cameras to Shuksan Middle School and Roosevelt Elementary. Cameras may photograph only the vehicle and plate, never drivers' or passengers' faces, and locations must be signed. City council must review the program annually to decide whether it continues.
Violations & Fines
Camera-detected infractions carry a monetary penalty up to $250 under BMC 11.16.080 and RCW 46.63.170(2), processed like a parking ticket rather than added to the driver's record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Bellingham's red-light cameras located?
Does a camera ticket go on my driving record?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.