Bellingham, WA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Beginning on August 1, 2015, no person shall make available for rent, or rent, lease, or let, to the public any residential housing unit without registering and maintaining registration of the rental property at which the unit is located.

B. The fee for registration shall be set by council by ordinance. For the first two years following the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, the director is authorized to waive or suspend the imposition of all or a portion of a late fee in a specific circumstance based on excusable neglect. No registration fee shall be required for the following rental properties:

1. Owner-occupied buildings containing two units or less;

2. Rental units that a government unit, agency or authority owns, operates or manages, or that are specifically exempted from such a fee by state or federal law or administrative regulation. This fee exemption does not apply once the governmental ownership, operation or management is discontinued;

3. Rental units:

a. Supported by funding or subsidies from the federal, state or a local government; and

b. That are inspected at least every three years as a requirement of the funding or subsidy; and

4. Accessory dwelling units when an owner resides in either the single-family residence or the ADU and the ADU is attached to the single-family residence.

C. A residential rental registration expires on December 31st of the calendar year following registration or renewal.