Bellingham, WA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Bellingham's noise framework for STRs operates in three overlapping layers. First, BMC 10.24.120 (Public Disturbance Noise) is the citywide ordinance enforced by the Bellingham Police Department on a complaint-driven basis. The ordinance uses a subjective standard rather than decibel meters: frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds within a residentially zoned area that unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort, and repose of others are prohibited. The code lists specific public-disturbance sounds including portable audio equipment (radios, stereos, Bluetooth speakers) operated at a volume audible more than 50 feet from the source, loud shouting or yelling between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and engine or vehicle noise. First-offense violations are civil infractions with fines up to $250; second and subsequent offenses are criminal misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 or 90 days imprisonment, or both. Second, BMC 20.10.037 imposes a direct duty on STR operators: 'The short-term rental must be operated in a way that will prevent unreasonable disturbances to nearby residents.' That standard is independently enforceable by Planning and Community Development as a permit condition and can support permit revocation under BMC Chapter 21.10. The same code section requires the operator to submit with the permit application the name, address, and telephone number of a local contact person who is responsible for the STR, lives within an hour's drive of Bellingham, and is available 24 hours a day. Third, statewide RCW 64.37.020 requires every Washington STR operator to provide guests with contact information for someone able to respond to inquiries at the STR during the stay. Bellingham Code Enforcement coordinates with the Police Department on chronic-complaint STRs; a documented pattern of noise disturbances tied to a permitted STR address can support permit revocation, denial of renewal, and (if necessary) a chronic-nuisance designation. Operators commonly post 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. quiet hours and no-party rules in house rules to align guest behavior with BMC 10.24.120 and the BMC 20.10.037 unreasonable-disturbances standard.