The City of Bellingham adopted its first subdivision regulations in 1964. These subdivision regulations worked together with the City’s zoning ordinance that established minimum lot sizes. The 1964 regulations were amended in 1965 and 1967 requiring that all newly created lots be served by public sewer and streets. In 1973, the City’s subdivision regulations were amended to include lot line adjustments, binding site plans, improvement standards, cluster subdivisions and lot design standards. These regulations remained in effect until 1997 when the City adopted amendments that included revisions to lot design, cluster and variance criteria provisions.
City Council Process
The Bellingham City Council passed Ordinance 2018-12-036 on December 10, 2018, effectively repealing 18 BMC and replacing it with a new chapter, 23 BMC. For additional reference:
Planning Commission Process
June 21, 2018 – The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed draft subdivision ordinance. A recommendation of approval was forwarded to the City Council by a vote of 6-0. The Council will hold a public hearing on a date still to be determined.
May 3, 2018 – The Planning Commission held another work session to review the proposed draft ordinance.
April 6, 2017 – The Planning Commission held another work session to review the proposed draft ordinance.
March 16, 2017 – The Planning Commission held a work session to review the proposed draft ordinance.
January 12, 2017 – The Planning Commission held a work session to review the proposed draft ordinance.
October 20, 2016 – The Planning Commission held a work session to introduce the Key Issues Matrix and review some of the key issues with the Commissioners.
December 18, 2014 – The Planning Commission held a public hearing in order to provide an introduction to the update of the Subdivision Ordinance, Title 18 of the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC).
