The Bellingham City Council advanced a significant housing policy initiative by unanimously adopting an interim ordinance expanding middle housing options citywide. The ordinance extends the city's infill housing toolkit—previously limited to certain areas—to all residentially zoned neighborhoods except the Lake Whatcom watershed. This change allows up to four housing units per lot by right, with potential for five or six units if affordable units are included. A key amendment was approved 5-2 to adopt the state's floor area ratio (FAR) standards from the Middle Housing Model Code, replacing the city's existing ratios. Council members debated whether this change was premature for an interim ordinance, but supporters argued it provides necessary flexibility to test housing production approaches. The ordinance fulfills part of Mayor Lund's executive order to proactively implement housing reforms ahead of state requirements. Under House Bill 1110, Bellingham must implement middle housing regulations by June 30, 2026. The interim ordinance allows the city to test approaches while developing permanent regulations through a type-six legislative process. Public testimony was strongly supportive, with housing advocates, Strong Towns members, and developers backing the proposal. Opposition came primarily from tenant advocates who argued the ordinance lacks meaningful affordability requirements and from a former planning commissioner who criticized the focus on market-rate housing.
Bellingham City Council
Executive Summary
Key Decisions & Actions
& Actions **Interim Middle Housing Ordinance (AB 24478):** Passed 7-0 after amendment - Staff recommendation: Adopt interim ordinance with existing FAR standards - Council action: Amended to use state FAR table, then adopted with amendment - Key change: Allows up to 4 units per lot citywide (residential zones), with 5-6 units if affordable - Amendment adopted 5-2: Replace city FAR standards with state Middle Housing Model Code ratios - Opposed to amendment: Williams, Anderson (concerned about testing unvetted standards) **Planning Commission Appointment (AB 24479):** Passed 6-0-1 - Staff/Mayor recommendation: Appoint Daniel Bloemker to first term - Council action: Approved as recommended - Abstention: Anderson (disappointed Scott Jones wasn't reappointed) **Greenways Advisory Committee Reappointment (AB 24480):** Passed 7-0 - Staff/Mayor recommendation: Reappoint Dina Dickerson to second term - Council action: Approved as recommended **Water Use Efficiency Goals (AB 24481):** Passed 6-0-1 - Staff recommendation: Adopt 2025-2035 efficiency goals and measures - Council action: Approved as recommended - Abstention: Williams **Lake Whatcom Property Acquisition:** Passed 6-0-1 - Staff recommendation: Authorize purchase of 3.3-acre property for $162,000 - Council action: Approved as recommended - Abstention: Hammill
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- **Type-six legislative process:** Staff will develop permanent ordinance through comprehensive public engagement process - **Middle housing tours:** Next tour scheduled April 9, 2025 (registration required) - **Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) reform:** Staff working to coordinate MFTE updates with middle housing implementation - **Comprehensive Plan integration:** Final ordinance will coordinate with comprehensive plan adoption timeline - **State compliance deadline:** June 30, 2026 for full House Bill 1110 implementation - **Rental fees ordinance work session:** April 14, 2025
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