Now expanded to serve more households. In January 2026, utility rates will increase. We’ve updated our Customer Assistance Program so more households can qualify for bill discounts. Reduced rates are available for water, sewer and stormwater utilities provided by the City of Bellingham. Customers are eligible for a discount on their bill if their household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Rate Reduction
Qualified customers receive a reduction on their utility bill by the following percentages:
If your household income is: | Your discount is: |
|---|---|
| 51-80% of Area Median Income | 25% |
| 31-50% of Area Median Income | 50% |
| 30% or less of Area Median Income | 75% |
Program Requirements
- Live in the dwelling full-time as your primary residence
- Directly receive a City of Bellingham water and/or sewer bill (bill cannot be paid by landlord, homeowner’s association, or property management company, etc.)
- Household meets the income guidelines shown below
Low-income Household Discount
Eligibility is based on your household’s GROSS annual income (income before any deductions or taxes), and number of people in your household. Household members include: spouse, co-tenant(s), or anyone else residing in the residence. To qualify, your household income needs to be 80% or less of area median income (AMI) in Bellingham, WA as outlined in the chart below.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30% AMI | $22,750 | $26,000 | $29,250 | $32,500 | $37,650 | $43,150 | $48,650 | $54,150 |
| 50% AMI | $37,950 | $43,400 | $48,800 | $54,200 | $58,550 | $62,900 | $67,250 | $71,550 |
| 80% AMI | $60,700 | $69,400 | $78,050 | $86,700 | $93,650 | $100,600 | $107,550 | $114,450 |
Income
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Income to Include |
Income to exclude |
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How to apply
Submit your application online and attach the required documents (preferred method). Online submission is the quickest and most efficient method to apply for a discount.
Prior to applying:
- Be prepared with your customer number, service address and contact information. You can find your customer number in the upper right-hand corner of your bill.
- Gather names and dates of birth for each household member
- Gather annual gross income amounts and documentation for each household member
- Gather necessary documentation, which may include but is not limited to:
- Tax returns, including all pages and schedules
- W-2s, social security statements, 1099s, etc.
- Any additional source of income documentation
All income must be disclosed whether federally taxable and included on your tax return or not.
Ready to apply?
- Click the “Apply Online” button below
- Fill out each section of the application, including all household members and their gross annual income
- Upload all required documentation for each individual living in the household
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Submit application once complete
Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing. The City may reach out to you for further information or if any documentation is missing. You will be notified by email if your application is approved, denied, or additional information is needed.
If approved, your discount will appear on your next utility bill after January 1st, 2026. If your current bill is already in process, the discount will begin on your next bill. Discounts are not applied retroactively.
If you qualify for the City’s Customer Assistance Program, your name and address will be provided to Sanitary Service Company to determine if you qualify for a discount on your garbage bill.
Online submission method is the fastest way to apply. A computer will be available for customer use, as well as paper applications, if necessary, located in the Finance Department inside City Hall located at 210 Lottie St Bellingham, WA.
Nonprofit Agencies Offering Affordable Housing
The City offers reduced rates to agencies providing affordable housing for low income households. Agencies must be nonprofits or the Bellingham Housing Authority, and the reduced rate is only available for low-income housing where rents are restricted by a federal, state or city housing program for households earning less than 80 percent (80%) of area median income. See BMC 15.04.070(C). Please find the application here. For additional information, please contact Samya Lutz at 360-778-8385.
