BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – New booking restrictions have gone into effect at the Whatcom County Jail.

Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley updated the guidelines on Feb. 1 to clearly define when certain restrictions are in effect.

Restrictions will be instituted based on the jail’s total population, which includes those in work crew custody. If the total population is under 300, anyone can be booked under any type of offense.

Misdemeanor warrants or probable cause arrests won’t be allowed if there are over 300 people in custody.

Beyond 320 people, those facing gross misdemeanor charges can only be booked if there’s a public safety element involved, such as domestic violence or a DUI.

Department of Corrections cases are also not allowed to be booked at the highest restriction level unless it was pre-arranged.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office adds that any of the new restriction levels can be overridden by the Sheriff at any time.