City Council

Land Use Fees, Rental Protections, New Building Official

Thursday, August 27, 2026

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Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust land use permit fees for the first time in nearly 20 years on August 24, 2026. The council also gave final approval for updated rental protections, which will go into effect on September 7, 2026. The city began implementing lower speed limits on residential and downtown streets to improve safety, with changes taking effect on August 25, 2026. The council affirmed a Hearing Examiner’s decision on The Woods at Viewcrest appeal on August 21, 2026, upholding the approval of the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions. Kim Barker was introduced as the new Building Official, joining the Planning and Community Development team.

📄 Source: City of Bellingham — News — https://cob.org/

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Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust land use permit fees for the first time in nearly 20 years“On August 24, Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust Bellingham’s land use permit fees for the first time in nearly 20 years.”
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The approval of the resolution to adjust land use permit fees occurred on August 24, 2026“On August 24, Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust Bellingham’s land use permit fees for the first time in nearly 20 years.”
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The council also gave final approval for updated rental protections“Bellingham City Council gives final approval for updated rental protections.”
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The updated rental protections will go into effect on September 7, 2026“New rental protections go into effect Sept. 7 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:30:18 +0000 Bellingham City Council gives final approval for updated rental protections. Source: https://cob.org/news/2026/new-rental-protections-go-into-effect-sept-7”
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The city began implementing lower speed limits on residential and downtown streets to improve safetyNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The implementation of lower speed limits on residential and downtown streets took effect on August 25, 2026No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The council affirmed a Hearing Examiner’s decision on The Woods at Viewcrest appeal“On August 21, 2026, in a special meeting, Bellingham City Council announced its unanimous decision to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions.”
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The affirmation of the Hearing Examiner’s decision on The Woods at Viewcrest appeal occurred on August 21, 2026“On August 21, 2026, in a special meeting, Bellingham City Council announced its unanimous decision to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions.”
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The Hearing Examiner’s decision on The Woods at Viewcrest appeal upheld the approval of the preliminary plat“On August 21, 2026, in a special meeting, Bellingham City Council announced its unanimous decision to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions.”
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The Hearing Examiner’s decision on The Woods at Viewcrest appeal upheld the approval of the associated permits with conditions“On August 21, 2026, in a special meeting, Bellingham City Council announced its unanimous decision to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions.”
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Kim Barker was introduced as the new Building Official“We are excited to introduce our new Building Official, Kim Barker. While Kim is new to this role, she is not new to our Planning and Community Development team.”
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Kim Barker joined the Planning and Community Development team“While Kim is new to this role, she is not new to our Planning and Community Development team.”