BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Changes are coming to the way Bellingham deals with impounded and so-called junk vehicles.

The city council passed an ordinance during their meeting Monday night, Sept. 28 that grants the municipal court the authority to preside over impound hearings.

Those hearings were previously handled by the hearing examiner, but an annual report from 2024 noted that the caseload for impounded vehicles was increasing at an unsustainable rate. One such lawsuit brought by Jerry and Terri-Lynn Land in 2024 was settled for $150,000.

City councilmembers noted in the ordinance that the move makes the most fiscal sense, especially after a second municipal court judge was hired in 2025.

Other provisions include removing a towing and storage fee and clarification on impounding vehicles that have been parked in the same spot for over 72 hours.

Additionally, the ordinance aligns Bellingham with state regulations for people who live out of their vehicles. The updated guidance gives those individuals the right to fast-track a hearing if their vehicle is impounded.

The ordinance will go into effect on Nov. 1.