Director’s Interpretations and Rules
- Family Exemption 11/23/2015 (PDF)
- Registration Certificate 12/2/2015 (PDF)
- Dividing City into Inspection Zones 2/2/2016 (PDF)
- Starting with South Third 3/10/2016 (PDF)
For any information or discussion pertaining to the Rental Registration & Safety Inspection Program, the following definitions shall be used. These are general definitions – for more complete and specific definitions, please refer to BMC Chapter 6.15.020.
- Director: The Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development or their designee.
- Landlord: Owner, lessor, or sub lessor of a rental unit or rental property, or their designated representative, such as an agent or property manager.
- Property Owner: One or more persons assigned the legal title to or beneficial ownership and right to use the property.
- Rental Housing Registration: A registration issued under this chapter.
- Rental Housing Unit: Any building or part of any building that is or may be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons.
- Rental Inspection: A process by which a qualified rental housing inspector certifies that the residential housing units inspected are in compliance with the requirements and standards set form by BMC 6.15.050.
- Rental Property: All residential dwelling units rented or leased on a single parcel of land managed by the same landlord..
- Tenant: A person occupying a rental property or rental housing unit under a rental agreement and who agrees to pay rent for continued occupancy.
- Transient: A guest, resident, or other occupant to whom lodging and services are furnished for less than 30 continuous days.
- Transitional Housing: Residential housing units owned, operated or managed by a nonprofit agency or governmental entity in which supportive services are provided to individuals or families that were formerly homeless in order to move them into permanent housing within 24 months of their arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of questions (by topic) we have received throughout the program’s tenure. The City will continue to release updated RR&SIP information as it becomes available using a variety of methods, including the City’s web page, www.cob.org/rentals, Technical Assistance Bulletins, educational videos and training sessions.
General Information
The Rental Registration & Safety Inspection Program (RR&SIP) was approved by the Bellingham City Council on March 9, 2015, after more than ten years of public involvement and proposals. The RR&SIP is designed to ensure that all rental housing units comply with specific life & fire safety standards and are providing a safe place for tenants to live.
A program designed “to protect the public health, safety and welfare of tenants by encouraging the proper maintenance of residential housing.” (BMC 6.15.010). This program was deemed necessary by the Bellingham City Council and was intended to ensure that all rental housing units, within Bellingham city limits, are safe to live in. Rental property owners are required to register their rental property with the city every year and have it inspected once every three years. The goals of the RR&SIP are:
- To ensure that Bellingham’s rental housing meets specific life and fire safety standards.
- To promote compliance with these standards so that the health and safety of tenants is not jeopardized.
- To increase awareness and sharing of information relating to rental housing standards between existing and future rental property owners, property managers, landlords and tenants.
There are two basic exemptions:
- Exempt from the entire Rental Registration and Inspection Program (property owners renting out bedrooms at the property they reside in); and
- Properties exempt from the registration fee and safety inspection (but still required to register).
For more information on exemptions visit the registration program page.
- The Bellingham City Council has determined that rental units likely exist that are unsafe to live in.
- The RR&SIP intends to ensure that Bellingham’s rental housing meets specific life and fire safety standards.
- The RR&SIP intends to promote compliance with these standards so that the health and safety of tenants is not jeopardized.
- In addition, the RR&SIP intends to increase awareness and sharing of information relating to rental housing standards between existing and future rental property owners, property managers, landlords and tenants.
Yes, several cities in Washington State have similar programs such as Seattle, Lacey, Pasco, Bremerton and Tukwila.
Registration
Anyone who owns residential rental property within Bellingham city limits needs to register. This program applies to all types of residential rental properties: apartments, homes, duplexes, ADUs, etc.
Many rental properties have a Bellingham address, but are not within the city limits. If you are not sure whether your rental property is within Bellingham’s city limits, please contact the RR&SIP program specialist at (360) 778-8361.
The registration form can be found online at www.cob.org/rentals, and submitted via email to rentals@cob.org, in person at the Permit Center in Bellingham City Hall, or by mail.
The registration form will be reviewed and validated by the program specialist. Once that is complete, a certificate of registration will be sent to the primary contact for the property. A copy of this certificate must be posted in each rental unit in a visible location, or the property will be violation of the program.
*You can find alternatives to posting the Certificate of Registration in each unit under the Program Definitions webpage, or below.
The property will also be added to the database of registered properties that is available to the public.
Per BMC 6.15.040(G), “A copy of the registration shall be posted on the inside of each residential housing unit in a visible location […]” Alternatives to this requirement have been established by Director’s rule and are as follows:
- Include a copy of the registration certificate in the lease agreement and have tenants sign off that they have read and been provided a copy of the contents, and maintain the signed copy for the period of the lease; or
- Tenants may sign an affidavit, which is then kept in their file concurrent with the term of the lease, that indicates they have been presented with a copy of the registration certificate and read its contents; or
- In such rental properties as contain a central shared location that is accessible to tenants (such as a lobby, mail room, or leasing office), a copy of the registration certificate listing all applicable units may be posted there. This option must be employed in conjunction with either option #1 or option #2 (as detailed above).
A rental registration is transferable to any person who at any time has acquired ownership of a registered rental property. However, that rental registration is only valid for the unexpired portion of the calendar year for which it was issued. The new owner will be responsible for renewing the registration before it expires.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to notify the Rental Registration team of a change of ownership/primary contact. If we are not notified of a change of primary contact, we will continue to send correspondence to whoever was originally listed as the primary contact.
Registrations are valid until the end of the calendar year in which they were completed. Renewal and repayment of fees must occur prior to the registration expiring.
If a rental registration is not secured for a rental property then it would not be in compliance with the RR&SIP. If a rental registration is not provided in a timely manner and rental units are available for rent or are being rented, the rental property will be in violation of the RR&SIP. Financial penalties will be applied to owners of rental properties that do not register per the required timelines. Financial penalties are likely to be based upon the length of time that passes beyond either the initial registration due date or the renewal date.
Inspections
The majority of rental properties registered with the program are required to be inspected once every three years (approximately).
About 30 days prior to the beginning of your neighborhood inspection quarter, a postcard (or letter) will be mailed to the primary contact’s address listed on the account. This correspondence will contain the pre-assigned date/time of the inspection (if you have chosen to use a City of Bellingham Inspector) as well as which units have been selected for inspection.
IMPORTANT: The inspections are assigned to two-hour blocks of time in which the inspector may arrive onsite, City inspectors are not able to guarantee an exact time of arrival. Please contact the rental registration team at (360) 778-8361 or rentals@cob.org at least 48 hours in advance of your assigned date/time if:
- You need to change the appointment date/time,
- If you have an appointment with the City, but wish to use an approved private inspector instead, or
- Have questions/concerns about what to expect
Receiving Notification of Inspection Requirement
Most non-exempt registered rental units will be required to be inspected once every three years. Property owners have the option to use a City of Bellingham inspector or a qualified private inspector. If you choose to use a Private Inspector, they must be on our Approved Private Inspector List.
When a rental property is due for an inspection, the City will contact the property’s primary contact person.
- If the registration indicated the preference for a City Inspector:
- We will send you a scheduled inspection date and timeframe. When scheduling, the City will work to find a time that suits all involved parties. However, with the number of inspections that will need to be completed each year, scheduling flexibility will be limited.
- If the registration indicated the preference for a Private Inspector:
- We will send you notification of the inspection quarter timeframe and documentation required, but it is up to the homeowner or property manager to schedule with the private inspector of their choosing.
Required Notice to Tenants
Once the inspection for a rental unit has been scheduled, written notification of intent to allow an inspector to enter must be provided to the tenants of that unit per to RCW59.18.150(6). The notice must indicate the date & approximate time of the inspection and the name of the company or person performing the inspection. It must also indicate that the tenant has the right to see the inspector’s identification before they enter the unit.
What Inspectors Look For
Inspectors will look at health and safety components, including: structural integrity; weather exposure; plumbing & sanitation; heat, water, and water facilities; ventilation systems; defective or hazardous electrical wiring and/or service; safe and functional exits; and smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. These components are consistent with RCW 59.18.030 (1) and outlined on the Safety Inspection Checklist.
The inspection fee can be paid prior to, or immediately following the inspection visit. The fees can be paid with check, cash, money order, or credit card. Please reference your license # or address when submitting payment.
Rental Inspection Fee Schedule
| City Inspector (Per Unit) | $100.00 |
| Private Inspector (Per Unit) | $45.00 |
| First Reinspection (Per Unit) | NO CHARGE |
| Second Reinspection (Per Unit) | $50.00 |
| Final Reinspection (Per Unit) | $50.00 |
| Missed Appointment | $25.00 |
The inspection fee is charged per unit, NOT per property. If it is required to inspect three units at a rental property, the property owner will pay the inspection fee three times.
Rental properties that are considered non-exempt will be required to be inspected once every 3 – 3.5 years.
Current RRSIP Inspection Zones & Projected Inspection Timeline (subject to change) can be found on the Timeline of Inspections webpage.
Health and safety components, including: structural integrity; weather exposure; plumbing & sanitation; heat, water, and water facilities; ventilation systems; defective or hazardous electrical wiring and/or service; safe and functional exits; smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. These components are consistent with RCW 59.18.030 (1).
Mold will only be a component of inspection and remediation if, during inspection, it is determined to be a symptom of weather intrusion, plumbing leaks, or lack of ventilation. In the event that mold is determined to be caused by lifestyle, the City will only offer advice to the tenant in how to reduce or eliminate mold in their dwelling. The City will not be inspecting for lead paint and asbestos as these are generally not life safety concerns UNLESS they are introduced to air or water by way of removal or disturbance.
The inspection checklist has been made available to the public. The intent of this checklist is to provide a reasonable level of predictability for owners, residents and inspection personnel. No checklist can encompass every possible scenario and not all apparent violations present a threat to the health or safety of tenants. Accordingly, inspectors are required to use a significant amount of professional judgment.
Not necessarily. For any rental properties that contain up to 20 units, no more than four total units will be inspected every three years. For rental properties with 21 or more units (in one or several buildings), no more than 20% of the total number of units (but not more than 50 total units) will be inspected every three years.
Prior to the inspection occurring, written notification of intent to allow an inspector to enter must be provided to the tenants of that unit. According to RCW59.18.150(6) this must occur no less than 48 hours prior to the inspection date. The notice must indicate the date & approximate time of the inspection and the name of the company or person performing the inspection. It must also indicate that the tenant has the right to see the inspector’s identification before they enter the unit.
Per RCW59.18.150(1), “The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises […]” A tenant who denies access to the property after the landlord has provided the two-days’ written notice as required by RCW 59.18.150(6) will be subject to the penalties outlined in RCW 59.18.150(8).
Provide Notice to Tenants: Prior to the inspection occurring, written notification of intent to allow an inspector to enter must be provided to the tenant of that unit as required by (RCW 59.18.150(6)). (see our FAQ webpage for notification requirements).
Ensure Access to unit for Inspector: Property owners are not required to be onsite unless they personally want to meet with the inspector; however, an adult must be present onsite during the inspection (which typically will last no more than 20 minutes) to provide access to the property.
Provide Email if applicable: We do as much corresponding by email as possible, so if you have an email but did not enter it on your application, send us a quick note at rentals@cob.org. If there is no email on file, we are happy to mail the invoice (if necessary) to the primary contact listed.
A Statement of Compliance will be issued once the unit has passed (or passed with conditions) and all outstanding fees have posted to your account. We will email (or mail if no email is provided) the certificate to the primary contact we have listed, and it will also be made viewable on your ‘dashboard’ if you use our online permitting / license program to manage your license.
Property owners have the option to use a City of Bellingham inspector or a qualified private inspector who has passed the RR&SIP inspections training course and possess at least one of the following credentials:
- American Association of Code Enforcement property maintenance and housing inspector certification;
- International Code Council property maintenance and housing inspector certification;
- International Code Council residential building code inspector;
- Washington State licensed home inspector; or
- Other acceptable credential the director establishes by rule.
Our private inspector webpage contains more details of this option, as well as the program documents private inspectors are required to use.
Tenants
Currently, tenants with complaints about unsafe living conditions need to file a Code Enforcement Investigation Request with the City. While this will continue to be an option, the RR&SIP creates a system to address and monitor rental property issues proactively without the need for a tenant to complain first.
Tenants can also have the peace of mind knowing that rental properties will be held to a certain standard for health and safety, as outlined in the Rental Property Inspection Checklist. Rental property owners who do no comply with those standards will face penalties.
A complete list of registered properties is available at this website or by contacting the Permit Center. If a rental property has a valid registration, a certificate of registration is required to be posted in every rental unit in a visible location.
Do no sign a lease for a rental property that has not registered with the RR&SIP. If you discover a rental property is not registered, notify the City by emailing rentals@cob.org or calling 360-778-8361.
When your rental unit is scheduled for a safety inspection, the owner or manager must provide proper written notice per RCW59.18.150(6). You are allowed to ask to see the inspector’s ID before they enter your unit. Denying access after proper notice has been given will result in the penalties outlined in RCW 59.18.150(8). Remember, the inspector is there looking out for your best interest!
The City cannot anticipate what the impact of this new program may have on the rental market, but can provide information on the fees charged by the City to implement the program. This website will be continually updated to help tenants better understand the program’s potential impact.
If you feel there is an issue at the rental property that requires more immediate attention, file a Code Enforcement Investigation Request with the City.
Tenants will play a vital role in the successful implementation of the RR&SIP and can assist in the following ways:
- Encourage the property owner or landlord to register the property;
- Learn about maintenance standards and notify the owner or landlord when things need to be fixed or are not up to standard; and
- Contact the City of Bellingham if the owner or landlord is not complying with the RR&SIP by either not registering or not meeting the maintenance standards.
Exemptions
- Units unavailable for rent or outside the city limits;
- Accommodation in hotels, motels, inns or similar facilities for transient guests (except for units occupied by non-transient guests);
- Retirement or nursing homes and housing within any hospital or State licensed medical care facility, service care facility, convent, monastery or other housing occupied exclusively by members of a religious order;
- Mobile or manufactured homes (these fall within the jurisdiction of Washington State Labor and Industries); and
- Shelters fro transitional housing.
- Owner-occupied buildings containing two units;
- Units owned, operated or managed by a government agency or authority or are specifically exempted from a fee by state or federal law, however, once government ownership, operation or management ceases so does the exemption for fee payment;
- Rental units that receive funding or subsidies from federal, state or local government, and that are inspected at least once every three years as a condition of that funding; and
- Accessory dwelling units that are attached to a single family residential unit AND the owner of the property resides in either of those housing units.
- A single family residence that the owner occupies with an accessory dwelling unit that is rented out;
- A single family residence with an accessory dwelling unit that the owners occupies;
- A single family residence that has been converted into two apartments, one of which the owner occupies; or
- A duplex in which the owner occupies one of the units.
No, not as long as you are living at the property. If you ever move out and rent out the entire property, you will be required to register.
Contact Us
For questions or more information, contact the Planning and Community Development Department Rental Registration Specialist at
(360) 778-8361 or rentals@cob.org.
