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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2016 · Pages 21-55

Land Use Chapter

The Land Use Chapter establishes the framework for future growth and development in Bellingham, directing higher-intensity development into seven mixed-use urban villages and transit corridors while preserving established neighborhoods. It sets the 20-year population and employment forecasts, defines UGA boundaries, and contains policies for residential, commercial, industrial, public, and institutional land uses. The chapter also addresses sustainable land use, historic preservation, food access, and public health through the built environment.

Land Use Economy Environment Housing Governance Social

“Only 5 of 89 Land Use Chapter 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.
Accommodate 124,157 people and 84,788 jobs by 2036; 45% of housing units built since 2006 in urban villages
Goals (10 total)
  • GOAL LU-1: Support sense of place in neighborhoods.
  • GOAL LU-2: Foster vibrant urban villages.
  • GOAL LU-3: Support a thriving local economy across all employment sectors.
  • GOAL LU-4: Maintain and enhance publicly-owned assets and institutional uses.
  • GOAL LU-5: Support the Growth Management Act's goal to encourage growth in urban areas.
  • GOAL LU-6: Use transparent processes and involve stakeholders in decisions.
  • GOAL LU-7: Protect and restore our community's natural resources through proactive environmental stewardship.
  • GOAL LU-8: Protect and improve Lake Whatcom and its watershed to ensure a long-term, sustainable supply of water.
  • GOAL LU-9: Preserve historic and cultural resources.
  • GOAL LU-10: Foster community connectedness to improve the health of residents.
Stronger Policy Language (45 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy LU-45: Provide sufficient land area and densities to meet Bellingham's projected needs for housing, employment and public facilities. Plan to accommodate a total population of 124,157 people and 84,788 jobs by 2036.
  • Policy LU-55: Prohibit the extension of utilities prior to annexation unless the exceptions outlined in the BMC are met.
  • Policy LU-56: Allow new urban development only where the full range of urban facilities and services exists or can be provided.
  • Policy LU-74: Continue working with Whatcom County and other entities to adopt regulations that restrict or prohibit land use practices and activities that cumulatively impact water quality.
Show all 45 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 41 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 (39 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy LU-9: Promote small-scale commercial uses (e.g. corner stores) within neighborhoods, particularly where these uses historically existed, to encourage walkability...
  • Policy LU-10: To achieve a healthy mix of housing that is affordable to a wide range of incomes, implement and seek new, innovative tools, including, but not limited to...
  • Policy LU-19: Consider developing integrated transportation-land use plans along WTA's GO Lines connecting urban villages where appropriate.
  • Policy LU-60: Encourage the assembly and redevelopment of key underdeveloped parcels through incentives and public/private partnerships.
  • Policy LU-82: Explore incentives and regulatory changes to encourage grocery stores, farmers markets, food carts and other mobile vendors to locate in underserved areas.
Show all 39 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 35 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 Chapter 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.