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Bellingham, WA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

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

Key Facts

Prohibited act
open container or drinking in public
Exception
licensed and permitted events only
Classification
civil infraction
Citation
BMC 10.08.070

Summary

Bellingham bars opening, possessing an open container of, or consuming liquor in any public place unless the site or event holds both state liquor licensing and written city permission; violators face a civil infraction.

A. It is unlawful for any person to open any package containing liquor, to possess any open container of liquor, or to consume any liquor in a public place, except in those areas or at those events that have appropriate licensing from the state of Washington and written permission of the authorized public official. B. Every person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction.

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

BMC 10.08.070 makes it unlawful to open any package containing liquor, possess an open container of liquor, or consume liquor in a public place anywhere in Bellingham, unless the location or event carries both a Washington State liquor license and written permission from the authorized city official: for example, a permitted street festival with a licensed beer garden. Absent that dual authorization, drinking or carrying an open container on sidewalks, in parks, or in parking lots is a civil infraction under subsection B. The section dates to 1992 and was last amended in 1999.

Violations & Fines

Civil infraction under BMC 10.08.070(B) for opening, possessing an open container of, or consuming liquor in public without state licensing and written city permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drink alcohol in a Bellingham park?
No, unless the park or event has both a Washington State liquor license and written permission from the city: otherwise it's a civil infraction under BMC 10.08.070.
Does an open container in a car count?
BMC 10.08.070 bans opening or possessing an open container of liquor in any 'public place'; it does not carve out vehicles, so an open container in a car in Bellingham is covered.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bellingham

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsPublic Marijuana UseSome RestrictionsPublic UrinationHeavy RestrictionsOutdoor Smoking RestrictionsSome RestrictionsSkateboarding RulesSignificant 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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