City Council Meeting
Admin Services Posted on October 16, 2026 | Last Updated on October 16, 2026
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Admin Services Posted on October 16, 2026 | Last Updated on October 16, 2026
We’re excited to share that Bellingham’s first mitigation bank is on track to open in February or March 2027. The Bellingham Mitigation Bank will improve water quality, reduce flooding, and support fish and wildlife, all while providing a more efficient, consistent way for development projects to meet environmental requirements.
We know “budget season” isn’t the most thrilling phrase—but it does lay the groundwork for the services, programs, and investments our community relies on. These sessions help ensure we’re allocating resources responsibly and transparently, with thoughtful discussion along the way.
Two areas in Whatcom County, including Bellingham’s downtown and waterfront, were recently selected for a competitive, national designation as Opportunity Zones for a second time. These zones benefit from a federal tax incentive that’s designed to attract private investment in low-income communities. The program allows eligible investors to defer and reduce their capital gains taxes when they invest capital gains in a business or property in an Opportunity Zone. Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Washington selections Oct. 8. Learn more, including how Bellingham has benefited from this designation in the past, on our Opportunity Zones page .
Join us at Rock Hill Park next Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4:30 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the park’s new upper and lower playgrounds. These long-awaited improvements have been in the works since 2024, and we’re excited to finally open them for play. You’ll have a chance to meet Parks & Recreation Director Nicole Oliver, learn about the park’s history and the project, and connect with neighbors. Visit our event calendar for more details. See you there!
Plan for possible delays and changing traffic conditions along the Roeder Avenue Bridge between Central Avenue and C Street from Oct. 19–30 as we repair the bridge approach. The sidewalk will remain open and bike lanes will merge with vehicle traffic. During a routine inspection, we discovered minor erosion at the base of the bridge caused by tidal changes in the Whatcom Waterway. This work will help protect the bridge’s foundation and keep it strong and reliable for years to come.
Whether your kids are in it for the tricks or the treats, our Parks & Recreation team has a Halloween event for you. Preschool – 2 nd -grade kids will love Boo at Bloedel, while anyone ages 6 and up can appreciate Spooktacular at Woodstock Farm with Gabriel’s Arts Kids. For a truly unique way to pick your carving pumpkin, head to Arne Hanna Aquatic Center Saturday afternoon for a floating pumpkin patch (kids 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult).
Public Hearing - Zoning Moratorium - Battery Energy Storage Systems
Permit applicants are being targeted with fraudulent permit invoices asking for the amount of the invoice to be paid by a wire transfer.
City of Blaine News Posted on October 13, 2026
The original article was published from 10/12/2026 12:00:00 PM to 10/14/2026 1:00:00 PM
Join us for an evening of community, culture, and celebration. We’ll kick things off with dinner catered by Seawolf Surf n Turf, followed by a powerful program centered on the theme “Answering the Call of our Ancestors” and highlighting youth voices. We’ll close out the evening with singing, dancing, and a community drum group. All are welcome — families, students, and neighbors! Learn more on the WWU website .
Street and utility improvements continue around Bellingham as we replace aging infrastructure and make our streets safer and more reliable for everyone. Some projects are wrapping up, while others will bring temporary changes to how you get around. Here’s what to expect:
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Mayor Kim Lund spoke at an event hosted by Indivisible, describing how the City is partnering with other cities to respond to federal actions that affect local communities and services. The City has joined lawsuits as either a plaintiff or a friend-of-the-court filer, including challenges to National Guard deployments to cities that did not request them and to federal funding decisions affecting Planned Parenthood, SNAP, and other programs. Learn more on our Protecting the Rights and Dignity of All page .
Registration is open for the 2026 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit happening Oct. 21–22. This year’s Summit, hosted by the Chuckanut Health Foundation, is focused on the moment our community is in, systems that are stretched thin, and the upcoming Medicaid cuts, impacts, and fallout. Everyone can attend to learn about local data, hear personal stories, and participate in creating action plans to support our community. Get more details and register on the Chuckanut Health Foundation’s website .
City Seeks Nonprofit Organization to Operate M/V Plover
Whatcom Housing Week 2026 is just around the corner, and City staff are polishing their presentations and dusting off their sneakers in preparation. This year, the City team will facilitate everything from a Home Share Happy Hour event and a Middle Housing Walking Tour to a conversation about changes in housing regulations.
City of Blaine News Posted on October 05, 2026 | Last Updated on October 05, 2026
Friday, October 2, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
Want to stay up to date on what’s happening in the City of Ferndale? Notify Me makes it easy to receive City updates directly by email or text message. Notify Me is a notification service available through the City of Ferndale website. Residents can choose the types of information they want to receive and how they would like to receive it.
Public Hearing - 2027 Revenue Sources and Proposed Property Tax Levy
City of Blaine News Posted on October 02, 2026
Public Hearing - ILA between the Port of Bellingham and the City of Blaine
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 390201015130000 Address: 488 W Pole Road SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00073 SEPA Determination: MDNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Civic Center Annex, Garden Level Conference Room, located at 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225 and via Zoom Platform (see Zoom link below)
The original article was published from 10/2/2026 12:00:00 PM to 10/6/2026 11:59:00 PM
Burn Restrictions Lifted in Whatcom County October 1st
Thursday, October 1, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
More flexibility for small home businesses
Join us this Friday to celebrate the Whatcom Museum’s newest exhibition, From the Vault: Forested , with works on display by local and regional artists. With activities throughout the day and evening on Oct. 2, there’s something for everyone! Walk the new exhibit with Museum staff, create forest-inspired crafts, peek into the fascinating world of fungi, listen to live music, or gather around a fire pit. Our Community Trees Program will be giving away free tree saplings to Bellingham residents to take home! Find a full list of activities on the Whatcom Museum’s website .
We’ll be replacing sections of sidewalk and several street trees along the 1100 block of 11th Street in Fairhaven starting Oct. 5. Work is expected to take about two weeks. Business access will be maintained, though on-street parking will be temporarily limited. The project will address sidewalk tripping hazards, replace dead or damaging trees, and enlarge some tree wells to give new trees more room to grow and help prevent future sidewalk damage. New trees will be planted after the sidewalks are complete. Thanks for your patience while we make these improvements!
To support community health, the City has adopted an ordinance prohibiting the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products within city limits, effective Oct. 13, 2026. This ordinance amends Chapter 10.08 of the Bellingham Municipal Code.
All locations of Bellingham Public Library will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 7 for their annual Staff Learning Day. This is an opportunity for library staff who usually work at separate branches to gather for a full day of meetings and professional development. The Library will reopen on its regular schedule on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Hoo-hoo-hoo’s heard the news about Bellingham Bird Week?! The North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington are hosting this celebration Oct. 5–11 with a variety of activities. Join the Library for bird-themed children’s Storytimes and the Whatcom Museum for a bird drawing session and a screening of Lights Out Texas followed by a panel discussion. There will also be an opportunity to vote for Bellingham’s official bird! Mayor Kim Lund will announce the winner on Friday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Learn more on the Bellingham Bird Week website .
With Flu Cases Increasing, It’s A Good Time to Get Vaccinated
Archived - Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
Health - Public Health News Posted on September 30, 2026 | Last Updated on September 30, 2026
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 4001034450400000 Address: 3370 Sweet Road, Blaine, WA 98230 SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00044 SEPA Determination Reissued MDNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Notice of November 3, 2026 General and Special Election
Auditor - Elections Posted on September 29, 2026
Archived - Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
Archived - Monday, September 28, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
City of Blaine News Posted on September 28, 2026
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 3803060632140000 Address: 139 Smokey Drive SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00052 SEPA Determination MDNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 4005022070770000 Address: "0" South Pass Road SEPA Case Number: SEPA2025-00037 SEPA Determination: MDNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Archived - Friday, September 25, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
2026 Change of Value Notices Mailed & 2026 Assessed Values are Now Online
The original article was published from 9/24/2026 5:00:00 PM to 10/8/2026 7:00:00 PM
Bellingham’s proposed 2027 budget is scheduled to be introduced to the City Council on Monday, September 28, according to the city’s September 24 newsletter.
Bellingham City Council plans two public hearings at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, September 28, on resolutions supporting proposed charter amendments on the November ballot, according to the city’s newsletter.
Archived - Thursday, September 24, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
Archived - Sewer Smoke Testing Scheduled for September 24-25
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 4006350705060000 & 4006353254100000 Address: 7595 Glacier Springs Drive SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00075 Notice of Application If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 4051233404080000 Address: 0 Horizon Drive SEPA Case Number: SEPA2025-00071 SEPA Determination: Notice of Application If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Update to Disposal of Toxics Facility Hours Starting October 2026
Archived - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
Whatcom County Announces Flood Preparedness Week, Oct. 12–16
Archived - Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 40022104302180000, 4002211020900000
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 390426229507, 390426337461 & 390426257405 Address: 5563 Smith Creek Road SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00056 Notice of Application If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 3704291192390000 Address: 0 Brook Lane SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00030 SEPA Determination: Notice of Application If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Archived - Monday, September 21, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County
A trial scheduled through year-end shifts some final decisions to the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.
The executive’s 2027–2028 recommendation includes 35 position reductions, mostly vacancies, and remains subject to council action.