Bellingham, WA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- 1 off-street parking space per stay
- Waiver option
- On-street parking with director approval
- Applies to
- Residential general-use area STRs
- Code section
- BMC 20.10.037(D)(5)
Summary
Bellingham requires short-term rental hosts to provide at least one off-street parking space for guests on-site during their stay, though the planning director can approve on-street or nearby parking instead.
At least one off-street parking space must be provided for guests on site during guest stay. The planning director may determine, through a simple parking analysis provided by the applicant, that on-street parking or nearby parking may be substituted for off-street parking.
6. Appearance and Behavior.
a. The short-term rental must be operated in a way that will prevent unreasonable disturbances to nearby residents.
b. There must be no change in the outside appearance of the building or premises that indicates the site is hosting a commercial use, other than one flat, unlighted sign not exceeding two square feet in area and mounted flush against the building.
7. Local Contact Person.
a. The name, address and telephone number(s) of a local contact person who is responsible for the short-term rental and lives within an hour’s drive of Bellingham must be submitted with the short-term rental application. This person can be the operator or a designee of the operator.
b. Any changes to the name, address or telephone number(s) of the local contact person must be submitted to the planning and community development department within one month of the change(s).
c. The local contact person shall be available 24 hours a day to ensure that the short-term rental is maintained and operated per the requirements of this section.
8. Notifications.
a. For Type I short-term rental permits:
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
BMC 20.10.037(D)(5) requires at least one off-street parking space on-site for guests during a short-term rental stay. The rule applies citywide in residential general-use areas; commercial and urban village STRs are exempt from this specific subsection per BMC 20.10.037(B)(2). The planning director may waive the off-street requirement and accept on-street or nearby parking if the applicant submits a simple parking analysis showing it will suffice. This applies to Type I and Type II STR permits reviewed under Chapter 21.10 BMC.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required off-street guest parking violates BMC 20.10.037(D)(5); STR standards violations are enforced under Chapter 20.52 BMC and can lead to permit revocation under BMC 20.10.037(D)(17).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bellingham short-term rentals need off-street parking?
Does the parking rule apply to commercial-zone STRs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
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