An ordinance that protects large trees within Bellingham city limits has been granted another six months.


Bellingham City Council voted 6-0 with one excused absence to approve another extension to the so-called “Landmark Tree Ordinance.”

This is the third extension for the ordinance that protects certain trees from being cut down during development.

My Bellingham Now previously reported the initial ordinance was approved in May 2024.

Under the ordinance, healthy trees that are at least 36″ in diameter cannot be cut down and violators can be fined between $800 and $5,000 for each instance.

Councilmember Dan Hammill put the motion forward to approve the ordinance despite misgivings:

“While I might not agree with this fully,” he said. “I think that we need to provide time for our planning department and our staff to do the work that they need to do, which is another six month extension, which is all this is.”

Proponents of the ordinance say that the trees serve importance in climate regulation and support biodiversity, while local developers have pushed back, arguing the regulation delays housing projects.