Bellingham council adopts interim ordinance to allow middle housing citywide, adds state FAR table

Bellingham City Council on March 24 adopted an interim zoning ordinance to expand the city’s “infill toolkit,” allowing middle-housing forms — including duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and stacked flats — in areas zoned predominantly for residential use and updating maximum floor area ratios (FAR) for the interim period.

The ordinance applies the infill provisions citywide, excluding properties within Bellingham Municipal Code chapter 16.8 (Lake Whatcom Reservoir regulatory provisions). Planning and Community Development Director Blake Klein told the council the proposal would allow “up to 4 units per lot with the potential for a fifth or sixth unit, if affordable, as defined by the state.” The council voted to incorporate the state model-code FAR table into the interim ordinance and then voted to adopt the ordinance with that amendment.

Why it matters: The action is an early, local implementation of state housing changes enacted after the 2023 legislative session. Under state law tier‑1 cities (those over 75,000 population) must implement the model middle‑housing code by June 30, 2026. The council said the interim ordinance aims to accelerate additional housing…