Bellingham, WA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

A qualified rental housing inspector or city building code enforcement officer certifying a Bellingham rental unit under BMC 6.15.050(B) must inspect for and certify compliance with minimum floor area, sanitation, structural, occupancy, heating, ventilation and electrical standards from the building code; emergency escape windows and doors; garbage/debris removal; working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; required fire sprinklers or alarms; passive fire-resistive construction; and fitness for human habitation under RCW 59.18.060. Units must also have secure, locking mail receptacles for every unit. The physical inspection underlying a certificate must be no more than 90 days old.