BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Bellingham City Council is considering an ordinance aimed at making your mail safer.

Councilmembers were introduced to the proposal at their meeting on Monday, July 15, which would require all rental properties to install locked mailboxes for their residents.

Planning and Community Development Director Blake Lyon said that Bellingham has seen a spike in mail theft since 2022. Lyon argued that increases in mail theft equate to similar upticks in identity theft and financial crimes.

In 2015, the city approved a measure to require any new rental units to have locked mailboxes installed.

If approved, all other city rental properties would need to comply with the mailbox requirements by January 1, 2025.

Councilmembers will vote on the ordinance at their next committee of the whole meeting.