BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Parking minimums have been suspended in Bellingham in an effort to create more housing.

The Bellingham City Council approved an interim ordinance at Monday night’s meeting that will eliminate the city’s minimum parking requirements.

City code currently requires developers to include a certain amount of parking spaces based on how many people live at a residence or by square footage for non-residential buildings.

Starting on Jan. 28, developers will instead be able to choose how much parking they deem necessary for new construction projects or remodels.

“Our parking codes are outdated and don’t reflect Bellingham’s needs,” said Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director. “It’s time to modernize them to reflect the needs of 2025 and beyond, not the needs of the 1960s. We are willing to accept change in order to support our biggest priorities, such as the urgent need for more housing and climate resiliency.”

The city estimates that each parking space generally costs over $20,000, which raises expenses for homeowners and renters.

The interim ordinance will last until January 2026 unless it’s extended.

Monday’s meeting also featured the city council’s first in-person public hearing since they were suspended last November.