Bellingham, WA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Parks and recreation department
- Planting strip
- ROW area between curb and sidewalk
- Detailed plan
- Required for over 10 trees
- Permit life
- Expires 30 days after issuance
- Appeal path
- To the hearing examiner
Summary
Planting a tree or other vegetation in Bellingham's street planting strip, the right-of-way area between curb and sidewalk, requires a street tree permit from the parks department before work begins.
No person shall plant a tree or other vegetation in improved rights-of-way without first filing an application and procuring a street tree permit from the city. Upon receipt of an application for a permit to plant or set out in excess of 10 trees, the director of parks and recreation department shall have the authority to require from the applicant a detailed declaration of intentions either in form of a planting plan or written statement. All planting plans shall be drawn in ink and submitted in duplicate. One copy of each plan or statement of intention shall when approved by the director of parks and recreation department be returned to the applicant and the other copy shall be kept on file by the director of parks and recreation department. All statements filed in lieu of a planting plan shall contain the same information as required on the plan. All planting plans shall accurately show:
1. The proposed street including pavement, curb, gutter, parking strip and sidewalk areas to a definite indicated scale.
2. The variety and size of each and every tree proposed to be planted and of those already existing within the proposed street lines, either indicated on the plans or referenced with a number to key list.
3. The proposed location of each and every proposed tree together with the location of each existing tree within the proposed street line in scaled relation to the other features of the plan.
4. The distance between trees in any direction.
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 13.40 governs trees in Bellingham's improved street rights-of-way. A 'planting strip' is the ROW area set aside for planting and maintaining trees between the roadway and private property (BMC 13.40.030). Planting a tree or other vegetation there requires a street tree permit from the parks and recreation department (BMC 13.40.060(B)); anyone proposing to plant more than 10 trees must submit a detailed planting plan showing species, size, spacing, and layout relative to the street, curb and sidewalk (BMC 13.40.060(B)(1)-(4)). The permit expires 30 days after issuance (BMC 13.40.060(E)), and a denial can be appealed to the hearing examiner (BMC 13.40.060(F)).
Violations & Fines
Planting without a street tree permit, or outside its approved plan, can bring a parks-department stop-work order and, under BMC 13.40.150, a misdemeanor charge with up to 90 days' jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the parking strip in front of my Bellingham house?
What is a 'planting strip' under Bellingham's tree code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington tree protection overview
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