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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2006 · Pages 1-76

Land Use

Chapter 2 establishes Bellingham's land use framework, directing future growth primarily into compact urban centers and villages while protecting existing single-family neighborhoods and natural resources. It sets population and employment growth targets for the 2002–2022 planning period, analyzes residential and commercial/industrial land supply and demand, and provides detailed policies for residential development, commercial and mixed-use areas, industrial zones, essential public facilities, city center development, urban growth area management, annexation, environmental protection including the Lake Whatcom Watershed, and parking. The chapter also defines six land use designations used on the comprehensive plan map and establishes the regulatory system framework.

Land Use Economy Housing Environment Governance

“Only 8 of 126 Land Use policies (6%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Bellingham Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Bellingham planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan.
Plan for 113,055 population by 2022; 27,000 new jobs by 2022; 14,800 new housing units 2002-2022; UGA boundary review every 7 years; duplexes not to exceed 15% of units in new SF subdivisions; low density max 5 units/acre; medium density 6-12 units/acre; high density 13+ units/acre
Goals (14 total)
  • FLU-1: Accommodate planned growth that promotes efficient land use, reduces sprawl, and safeguards the environment
  • FLU-2: Promote an economically healthy city center with diverse uses
  • FLU-3: Encourage affordable, stable, diverse residential neighborhoods
  • FLU-4: Protect single family neighborhood character while locating higher intensity uses in urban villages
  • FLU-5: Protect and enhance natural environment including critical areas
  • FLU-6: Protect natural environment by directing development away from sensitive areas
  • FLU-7: Emphasize Bellingham's role as environmental steward through sustainable land use
  • FLU-8: Promote successful commercial and industrial areas and a strong diverse economy
  • FLU-9: Maintain and extend parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities
  • FLU-10: Plan to accommodate a 2022 population of 113,055 and 27,000 new jobs
  • FLU-11: Encourage active participation by all Bellingham residents in planning
  • FLU-12: Establish culture of dialogue and partnership among City officials and stakeholders
  • FLU-13: Establish collaborative neighborhood planning process
  • FLU-14: Accommodate growth primarily in compact urban centers while preserving single family neighborhoods
Stronger Policy Language (51 policies in this chapter)
  • LU-19: Land area sufficient to accommodate the 20-year population projections shall be available in Bellingham and the urban growth areas, as required by RCW 36.70.110.
  • LU-26: In developed single family areas of Bellingham, residential zoning shall be applied in a manner that is consistent with the neighborhood's existing character, building style and height, density, and development pattern.
  • LU-61: The Bellingham Planning Commission shall recommend and the City Council shall adopt a list of essential public facilities which meet the definition described in Policy 62.
  • LU-117: The City's design, development, infrastructure improvement standards and environmental regulations shall be used in Bellingham's UGA so that land uses are compatible with city standards at the time of annexation.
  • LU-131: Prioritize protection over treatment in managing the Lake Whatcom Reservoir and its watershed. Management actions shall reflect a long term view of replacement or treatment costs.
  • LU-138: Implement "low impact development" techniques for all new residential development and infrastructure projects in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Watershed.
  • LU-141: Update and administer regulations that protect environmentally sensitive (or "critical") areas.
  • LU-46 (commercial): Auto oriented strip or linear commercial development shall be avoided.
Show all 51 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 47 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (67 policies in this chapter)
  • FLU-3: Affordable, attractive, stable and diverse residential neighborhoods should be encouraged while providing for a variety of housing opportunities.
  • LU-30: Encourage and assist rehabilitation efforts in deteriorating residential areas to promote a safe and successful living environment.
  • LU-44: Explore incentives, strategies, and requirements (such as "inclusionary zoning") to achieve a healthy mix of housing sizes, types, and prices.
  • LU-48: Mixed use developments should be encouraged in all commercial zones.
  • LU-60: Explore regulatory flexibility within the Marine Industrial district to allow occupancy by non water dependent uses when dictated by economic or other circumstances.
  • LU-72: Encourage retention, location and expansion of professional, financial, and commercial office land uses in Bellingham's city center.
  • LU-104: Encourage the use of long-lived, low maintenance building materials and high efficiency energy systems to reduce building life cycle costs.
  • LU-139: Encourage existing residentially developed areas in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Watershed to implement "low impact development" techniques where possible.
Show all 67 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 63 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Bellingham briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Bellingham council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Bellingham Briefings →

SAY vs DO: Where the Money Goes

Departments related to Land Use in Bellingham — what the city actually funds, year over year.

Budget analysis for this chapter is in progress. Real Record has mapped 1 Bellingham department to this chapter, but the FY2006 / FY2025 line-item totals are not yet loaded into our civic data warehouse. In the meantime, browse the city-wide budget comparison on the index page.