Bellingham, WA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Vacant lots within Bellingham are subject to the same property-maintenance and nuisance provisions as occupied properties. The principal authority is BMC Chapter 10.28 (Nuisances), which declares accumulations of trash, scrap, wrecked or junked motor vehicles, and obstructions to public ways to be nuisances. Vegetation that overhangs or encroaches on streets or sidewalks is enforceable under both BMC Chapter 10.28 and BMC Title 13 (Streets and Sidewalks); the City of Bellingham's Code Enforcement program lists 'vegetation growing into street or over sidewalk' as a common violation handled by Public Works. There is no fixed weed-height number stated in BMC 10.28 like some jurisdictions impose (e.g., Longmont's 12 inches), so enforcement is based on the nuisance test — whether the condition affects public health, safety, or neighboring property values — and on whether vegetation obstructs the right-of-way. Code Compliance procedure: a written notice (personally served or sent by certified mail) under BMC 10.28.030 gives the owner seven days to abate. If the owner fails to act, the City may abate the condition through a contractor and bill the owner, pursue civil penalties, or initiate criminal enforcement for repeat or aggravated violations. Vacant lots used for illegal dumping fall under BMC 10.60 (Litter Control) as well — BMC 10.60.120 prohibits deposit of materials on private property without the owner's consent.