The City of Bellingham is working on the Bellingham Plan as we update our city’s comprehensive plan. The plan addresses important topics, such as housing, transportation, and climate resilience, and will guide development, capital investments, city programs, and other actions for the next 20 years.
The key to the Bellingham Plan is community feedback. We want to know how you want us to plan for Bellingham’s future. You’ll find all the ways to provide feedback digitally and in person on the Bellingham Plan Engagement Hub.
On this page, you can learn more about staff’s work with the City Council and Planning Commission.
Comprehensive plans are used by communities to establish a vision for the future and provide a framework for building toward that vision. While the Comprehensive Plan is a twenty-year document, it goes through a major update each decade to ensure its guidance remains relevant and responds to changing conditions in the community and region. The next update for cities within Whatcom County is due by December 31, 2025.
This update will be known as the Bellingham Plan. While much of the current plan will remain intact, this update will target specific areas for amendment. Several themes have been identified that will guide updates throughout the plan, including:
- Accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- Climate mitigation and resilience;
- Economic vitality;
- Housing options and affordability;
- Public health and safety; and
- Vibrant and unique places.
