Bellingham, WA Tree Protection: Tree Ordinances (2026)

Bellingham is a designated Tree City USA with one of the most layered tree-protection regimes in Washington. (1) Emergency Landmark Tree Ordinance — adopted by City Council May 20, 2024 as emergency legislation effective immediately; extended four times (most recently March 9, 2026) through September 2026. Designates any healthy tree of 36 in. DBH or greater (excluding black cottonwood) as a landmark tree; removal, damage, or harm requires City approval; violations carry $800 minimum to $5,000 maximum per violation; the Director of Planning and Community Development administers. (2) BMC Chapter 16.60 (Land Clearing) — defines a 'significant tree' as a tree of any species 6 in. DBH or greater (BMC 16.60.040); requires tree retention plans showing all significant trees, removals, preservations, and critical-root-zone protection during construction; significant trees removed must be replaced at a PCDD-determined ratio (BMC 16.60.080); review runs with the associated building/street/utility permit. (3) BMC Chapter 13.40 (Street Trees and Other Vegetation) — no person may perform major pruning or removal in planting strips, improved rights-of-way, or other public places without a Street Tree Permit; tree topping unlawful as a normal practice; Parks Department maintains street trees on listed streets, abutting owner maintains the rest (BMC 13.40.050); City may require licensed tree trimmer (BMC 13.40.110). (4) BMC Chapter 16.80 (Lake Whatcom Reservoir Regulatory Chapter / Silver Beach Ordinance) — 30% Native Vegetation Protection Area (NVPA) for residential single development (BMC 16.80.080), seasonal land-disturbing restrictions June 1 - September 30 with cover required by October 1 (BMC 16.80.120), 0% phosphorus rule for fertilizer/mulch/soil amendments (BMC 15.42.050). Tree City USA designation supports community urban forestry programs.