STR guests must meet the same noise limits as residents: WAC 173-60 and, in Bellingham, the public disturbance code. Repeated verified complaints can jeopardize a Bellingham permit.
Short-term rental guests get no special allowance. In unincorporated Whatcom County, noise must stay within WAC 173-60 property-line limits, which drop 10 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. In Bellingham, guest noise falls under the public disturbance code, where audio audible beyond 50 feet is a violation. Bellingham's STR framework makes the host responsible for guest conduct, and a pattern of verified noise complaints can factor into permit review or renewal. Many hosts post house rules and quiet hours and keep a local contact who can respond quickly.
Noise citations mirror the general rules: a warning, then a civil infraction up to $250, escalating in Bellingham to a misdemeanor. Chronic STR complaints can threaten permit renewal.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Whatcom County's noise rules rules stack up against other locations.
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