Bellingham Fee Regulations: FORMS UPDATE!
This update alert includes a high-level summary of changes only. Please refer to the revised forms for full details. Always download the latest version to stay in compliance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any provision in a rental agreement or renewal entered into after 8/1/2025 in violation of the following is void and unenforceable. Inclusion of a prohibited provision in an agreement or renewal entered into after 8/1/2025 is a violation.
As of August 1, 2025, all new leases and lease renewals in the City of Bellingham will need to conform with new law under Ordinance No. 2025-06-010 adding a new section, BMC 6.16 “Prohibited Fees and Deposits in Residential Rentals.”
The following RHAWA forms have been created or revised and are available on the Residential Rentals Forms page rhawa.org/rental-forms-leases-notices#Section2:
- A new Bellingham Rent and Fee Summary designed to be attached as a cover sheet to the lease.
- Revisions to the Leasing Requirements by Local Jurisdiction instructions for new Bellingham regulations.
- Added a checkbox for “Other mandatory form(s) (Other addenda required in some jurisdictions.)” on the list of required addenda on page 10 of all four versions of the Rental Agreement and Term Lease forms.
- Also, in rhawa.org/rental-forms-leases-notices#Section1, fee limitations information was added to the Application Criteria Guidelines.
Go to the Support Center to review the City of Bellingham Law Summary.