Bellingham, WA Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Whenever the department is provided notice of a violation of the building code, the fire code, or violations of any other applicable Bellingham Municipal Code with respect to a rental unit, the department is authorized to request to conduct an inspection of the rental unit under the building code, fire code, or other applicable law or to pursue a warrant under RCW 59.18.150. The department may require proof that the tenant has provided notice to the landlord identifying the conditions prior to undertaking an inspection. If, after inspecting the rental unit, the department determines the rental unit violates any of the standards set forth in BMC 6.15.050, the director is authorized to suspend or revoke the registration as to that unit and to require the owner to provide to the city a certificate of inspection as described in BMC 6.15.050 prior to the rental unit containing the violation having its registration renewed or reinstated. Notwithstanding correction of the violation, the director may also require that up to 100 percent of the rental units on the property be inspected and that the property owner submit valid certificates of inspection for all rental units on the property following the procedures of BMC 6.15.050.