Public Works Services

The City of Bellingham Public Works Department works to enhance Bellingham’s quality of life; protect public health, safety, and natural resources; and provide neighborhoods, businesses, and visitors with a wide range of services, including (in alphabetical order):

Individual in wheelchair wheeling themselves from crosswalk to sidewalk ramp

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordination

Support for community members with disabilities to access city services, programs, and activities.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Bike routes, safe routes, trail maps, and pedestrian improvement requests.

Lake Whatcom Property Acquisition Program

Watershed protection through land purchases and management.

Local Source Control Program

Working with businesses to reduce pollution.

Maps and GIS Data

Aerial photos, maps, and GIS data.

Natural Resources

Factual, balanced information to foster responsible action and stewardship.

Parking

On-street meters and parking facility permits.

Permits

Permit status, inspections, and forms.

Young Hispanic businessman shake hands with young white businesswoman

Purchasing

Recycling and Solid Waste

Residential recycling and solid waste disposal and prevention.

two male public works employees completing sideway repair with large, handheld equipment

Street Maintenance

Street, sidewalks, sweeping, snow and ice control.

A storm drain in the middle of a rain garden that is in between the street and sidewalk

Storm and Surface Water Utility

Stormwater regulations, control, system maintenance, best management practices.

Traffic Maintenance

Traffic signals, street lights, signs, pavement markings.

Transportation Planning

Protecting Mobility for All, multimodal transportation planning and improvements.

Unauthorized Encampments

File SeeClickFix report to initiate outreach and cleanup.

Wastewater / Sewer Utility

Utility bills, wastewater treatment, reporting plugged drains.

Boy drinking from water fountain outside

Water Conservation

Water conservation tips and community water conservation efforts.

City employee at water treatment plant checking computer

Water Utility

Water treatment plant, annual water quality report, water consumption calculator.

Internal Services

Service	Description
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordination	Support for citizens and employees with disabilities to access city services, programs and activities.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act – Annual Updates	Annual reporting for Title VI Program including the non-discrimination agreement and standard assurances, complaint procedure and notice to the public
Natural Resources Services	Develop and deliver environmental policy, stormwater management, ecology and restoration services, Lake Whatcom management, and environmental education and outreach.
Real Property Acquisition and Management	Real estate services, including property acquisition for engineering projects and watershed protection, as well as leasing and management of commercial properties.
Engineering Services	Design, review, and coordinate construction for all public improvements within city limits to ensure environmental, safety, and health standards.
Inspection Services	Monitor project costs and quality of construction in conformance with designs.
Development / Permit Review Services	Provide right-of-way, sewer and water permits, private project engineering review, transportation planning, and transportation options coordination.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services	Provide maps and data to city staff for tasks such as planning, crime analysis, utility management, and customer support.
Fleet Services	Coordinate and perform vehicle and equipment support activities for all city departments.
Facilities	Provide maintenance and custodial services to city government buildings and structures.
Materials Management	Control and coordinate movement of supplies including receiving, inspecting, tracking, and inventorying items as needed.
Communications Infrastructure	Provide installation and maintenance for radios, fiber optic networks, and other communication systems for all city departments.

Resources

Public Works Contacts
Public Works Department Information
Public Works Development Guidelines and Improvement Standards
Public Works Document Request Forms and Exhibit Standards