Bellingham City Council - Government

08/31/2026

Council Member Dan Hammill's guest op-ed for Cascadia Daily News is about reimagining the local justice system. He writes, "I’m not interested in building monuments to the past but rather creating a vision and a system for a safe, equitable future that leaves no one behind. "

➡️Read his op-ed here:

Appropriate behavioral health care should be at core of mission to deliver justice

08/22/2026

In an Aug. 21, 2026, special meeting, the Bellingham City Council unanimously decided to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions for The Woods at Viewcrest.

08/21/2026

The City Council approved two agenda bills that standardize requirements for rental housing inspectors, strengthen enforcement processes, and improve tenant protections by closing a loophole regarding 120-day rent increase notices.

➡️ Learn more here: https://meetings.cob.org/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=5501&doctype=1

08/19/2026

The City Council authorized a contract award totaling $40.9 million for the installation of upgraded air pollution control equipment at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

08/13/2026

🐢Think 20 mph is too slow? Try 6 mph. In August 1904, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 50, setting the speed limit to 6 miles per hour for cars and horses.

08/11/2026

🐶❤️ Get a dose of puppy love this Thursday when Whatcom Humane Society brings a pack of adoptable pups to City Hall.

City Hall is turning into Puppy Hall this Thursday!

Humane Society is bringing an adorable crew of adoptable puppies for a tail‑wagging takeover of the City Hall rotunda. You'll have a chance to meet adoptable pups, learn about dog behavior, and chat with WHS animal control officers.

Swing by “Paws at City Hall” on August 13 anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

08/07/2026

On July 27, City Council Member Dan Hammill voted to approve the first and second readings of an ordinance that would adopt permanent zoning regulations to eliminate minimum automobile parking requirements and establish consistent bicycle parking standards citywide. The measure passed 5-1. The City Council will consider final approval of the ordinance at the 7 p.m., Aug. 10 City Council Regular Meeting.

08/06/2026

On this , we go back 122 years. The first Bellingham City Council held its inaugural meeting on Aug. 1, 1904. The top thing on the agenda? Circus licenses.

The City Council considered an ordinance drafted by the Ringling Bros. that called for lowering circus license fees to $300. Since Seattle had set its circus license fee at $750, the City Council landed on $500. In today's dollars, that would be about $19,000.

Circuses were big deals back then. On Aug. 22, 1904, Ringling Bros.' circus came to town with a 215-foot by 450-foot tent that could seat 10,000 people comfortably. For comparison, Civic Stadium seats 4,000. An ad stated that circus attractions included 200 acts, 375 star performers, 650 horses, 500 exhibits, 40 elephants, and (categorically untrue) “the Only Rhinoceros known to Exist in the Entire World.”

One of the biggest stars was Crazo, who jumped his bicycle 52 feet, an act billed as “the Most Hazardous and Thrilling Feat Ever Accomplished.” Keep in mind, he did this on a heavy, rigid bike with wooden rims and zero suspension.

What do you think, WMBC Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition? Is that a full send with maximum consequence?

08/02/2026

At the July 27 City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting, At-Large Council Member Jace Cotton gave a presentation on his proposed ordinance that would allow movable dwelling units (MDUs), including tiny homes on wheels and recreational vehicles, in Bellingham residential zones. Council Members voted to discuss the topic at a future meeting.

04/17/2026