Bellingham, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary: Are STRs Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Bellingham, WA, under specific regulations. The City of Bellingham allows STRs in residential, commercial, and urban village zones, but bans them in industrial, institutional, public areas, the Lake Whatcom Watershed, and shoreline areas. Key restrictions include:

Residential Zones: Only 1 STR per operator. Must be primary residence (owner or long-term tenant). Whole unit rental limited to 95 days/year. Maximum 5 bedrooms. No STRs in detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs).
Commercial/Urban Village Zones: No STR cap. Non-primary residences allowed. No annual rental day limits.
All Zones: Liability insurance ($1M), safety inspections, business license, posted permit number, local contact person required.
(Source: Bellingham Municipal Code 20.10.037)

1. Starting an STR Business

Step-by-Step Process:

Pre-Application Consultation: Contact the Permit Center (City Hall, 210 Lottie St., 360-778-8300) for zoning confirmation and guidance.
Permit Application: Submit a Short-Term Rental Application (PDF) to the Permit Center.
Required Submissions:
- Business License number from the WA State Department of Revenue.
- Application fee: Type I ($370), Type II ($550), Type III-A ($847).
- Courtesy notice mailed to adjacent neighbors (Type I permits).
Inspections: City inspection required before approval per BMC 20.10.037.D.11.
Permit Renewal: Submit STR Renewal Affidavit (PDF) every even-numbered year (e.g., Jan 1, 2026). (Source: City Permit Process, Business License DOR)

2. Required Documents, Permits & Licenses

| Requirement | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | STR Land Use Permit | Type I/II/III-A based on bedrooms and zoning (Permit Application PDF). | | Business License | Apply via WA Dept. of Revenue. Number required for permit. | | Insurance | Liability coverage ≥ $1M per transaction or via platform coverage. | | Safety Inspection | City inspection for smoke alarms, CO detectors, bedroom safety per BMC 20.10.037.D.11. | | Renewal Affidavit | Filed every 2 years (PDF). | | Good Neighbor Guide | Must be posted in unit (guidelines in permit). | (Source: BMC 20.10.037, City FAQs)

3. City, County & State Regulations

Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC 20.10.037)

| Zoning Type | Key Rules | |--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Residential (Single/Multi-Family) | - Max 1 STR per operator. - Must be primary residence (owner/tenant, 270+ days/year). - Max 5 bedrooms. - Whole unit rental limit: 95 days/year. - No DADU STRs. | | Commercial/Urban Village | - No operator cap. - Non-primary residences allowed. - No day limits. | | Prohibited Areas | - Lake Whatcom Watershed Basin One. - Shoreline areas (BMC Title 22). - Units subsidized via city programs. | | Operational Rules | - 24/7 local contact person. - 1 off-street parking space (residential). - No exterior changes indicating commercial use. - No events for compensation. - Permit number posted on platforms. | (Source: BMC 20.10.037)

Whatcom County

No additional county-level STR regulations identified in provided sources. Compliance with state laws applies.

Washington State

Business License: Required via WA Dept. of Revenue.
Taxes: Transient lodging tax may apply (consult state resources).
Health Regulations: Operators providing food must follow WA State Dept. of Health rules. (Source: BMC 20.10.037.D.13)

4. Contact Information

| Authority | Details | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | City Permit Center | 210 Lottie St., Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360-778-8300 Email: permits@cob.org Website: cob.org/permits | | Planning & Community Development | Website: Planning Dept. | | WA Dept. of Revenue | Website: dor.wa.gov |

5. Links to Source Pages

| Document/Topic | URL | |--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | City STR Overview | https://cob.org/services/planning/development/short-term-rentals | | Bellingham Municipal Code | https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/20.10.037 | | STR FAQs (PDF) | https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/str-faq.pdf | | STR Application (PDF) | https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/str-application.pdf | | Renewal Affidavit (PDF) | https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/str-renewal-affidavit.pdf | | WA Dept. of Revenue (Business License) | https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license | | City Permit Center | https://cob.org/services/permits | | Ordinance 2018-11-024 (PDF) | https://mrsc.org/getmedia/2d50ac3d-c535-4e10-9270-b74a78fb5734/b45o2018-11-024.pdf |

6. Critical Notes for Investors

DADU Ban: Detached ADUs in single-family zones cannot be STRs. This is under legal challenge as of 2024 (Front Online article).
Enforcement: City monitors compliance using Host Compliance.
Inspection Timing: Safety inspections must pass before permit approval.
Rental Day Limits: Only apply to whole-unit rentals in residential zones (max 95 days). Room rentals are unlimited in primary residences.

This guide reflects regulations current as of July 2025. Verify changes at bellingham.municipal.codes.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bellingham?

Bellingham hosts earn a median $31,457/year with $190 ADR and 63% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,744+ per year.

See the full Bellingham market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Bellingham

Bellingham is a city of roughly 90,000 residents in Whatcom County, Washington, perched along the saltwater shoreline of Bellingham Bay in the state's northwest corner. The largest population center between Seattle and the Canadian border, it carries a relaxed, outdoorsy college-town character thanks to the presence of Western Washington University, layered onto a working waterfront and a compact, walkable downtown of independent shops, breweries, and galleries. It is best known as a gateway to the North Cascades and Mount Baker wilderness areas, the San Juan Islands ferry network, and the cross-border culture of Vancouver, British Columbia, which sits roughly 60 miles to the north. Seattle is about 90 miles to the south, a drive of roughly 90 minutes to two hours on Interstate 5.

Just east of town, Whatcom Falls Park wraps a stretch of Whatcom Creek in old-growth forest, offering hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes within minutes of the city center. It is one of the most popular local recreation spots and a quick, free outing for visitors who want a taste of the Pacific Northwest without leaving town.

A little farther afield, North Cascades National Park lies roughly 60 to 70 miles east of Bellingham, typically reached in about two hours by car. Known for its jagged granite peaks, glacier-fed lakes, and dense evergreen forests, the park draws hikers, climbers, and photographers, and the scenic drive along Highway 20 to the park's western edge is itself considered one of the most beautiful road trips in the country.

To the south, the historic Fairhaven district anchors the older end of town with brick storefronts, the ferry terminal for the Alaska Marine Highway, and access to Chuckanut Drive, a winding scenic byway that hugs the cliffs above Samish Bay. A short distance farther south, Larrabee State Park is Washington’s oldest state park, with tide pools, rocky beaches, and forested campgrounds on the edge of the Salish Sea.

North of the city, Mount Baker rises to one of the highest elevations in the Cascades and anchors a popular ski and hiking area about 1.5 to 2 hours from downtown. The same general direction leads to Anacortes and the Washington State Ferries terminal for the San Juan Islands, an archipelago known for whale watching, kayaking, and small-town island life.

Bellingham appeals to short-term-rental investors because it pairs a year-round visitor base — university families, outdoor recreationists, cross-border travelers, and cruise passengers passing through the Fairhaven terminal — with a relatively tight rental market. Its proximity to three major draws (the North Cascades, Mount Baker, and the San Juan Islands), combined with easy day trips to both Seattle and Vancouver, gives the city unusually broad seasonal appeal for a place of its size.