Garage-sale signs in Bellingham fall under the temporary-sign provisions of BMC 20.12.040 and may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, street signs, traffic-control devices, hydrants, trees, or fences. They must be on the private property where the sale is occurring (one unlighted sign up to six square feet per residential street frontage) and removed when the sale ends. Off-premise directional signs in the right-of-way are subject to removal by Code Compliance.
Bellingham regulates all signs — including garage-sale, yard-sale, and similar temporary signs — under BMC Chapter 20.12 (General Standards) and BMC 20.12.040. In residential zones, one unlighted temporary sign not exceeding six square feet is permitted per residential street frontage, which is the practical envelope for a garage-sale yard sign. Signs must be on the property where the sale is held. The City of Bellingham does not allow off-premise directional signs in the public right-of-way: signs placed in the planting strip, on telephone poles, on traffic signs, on hydrants, or on city street trees are unauthorized and subject to removal by Neighborhood Code Compliance. BMC Title 13 (Streets and Sidewalks) governs encroachments and BMC Chapter 10.28 (Nuisances) and Chapter 10.60 (Litter Control) handle the abatement/removal mechanism — BMC 10.60.120 prohibits depositing materials on private property without consent, and BMC 10.60.150 restricts handbills in public areas. Bellingham does not require a city permit to hold a garage sale at a single-family residence, but signage must comply with BMC 20.12.040 and signs must come down promptly when the sale concludes.
Off-premise garage-sale signs in the public right-of-way are removed by Code Compliance. Repeat or commercial-scale violations enforced under BMC Chapter 10.28 (Nuisances). Report to Bellingham Code Compliance via the police non-emergency line (360-778-8800).
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