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Alteration or Change of Occupancy in an Older Building in Bellingham, Washington

Bellingham sets a hard date for existing structures: work on buildings that existed before 1 January 1985 triggers conformance requirements.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Applies to structures existing prior to January 1, 1985 where work involves additions, alterations or changes of occupancy
  • Such work "shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter or the provisions of Chapters 5 through 13" of the International Existing Building Code
  • Applies to existing occupancies in Groups A, B, E, F, I-2, M, R and S
  • Does NOT apply to buildings with occupancies in Group H or I-1, I-3 or I-4

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building permit fee
NO PERMIT AMOUNTS ARE STATED HERE FOR BELLINGHAM - the chapter read sets out which codes apply and how they are administered, and no fee schedule was located in it. Show full citationNO PERMIT AMOUNTS ARE STATED HERE FOR BELLINGHAM - the chapter read sets out which codes apply and how they are administered, and no fee schedule was located in it. ONE FEE RULE IN THE CODE MATTERS AND IS OFTEN MISSED: where the city has to hire an outside professional to review your application, you pay for it. The Construction Administrative Code provides that "Whenever review of a building permit application requires retention by the City for professional consulting services, the applicant shall reimburse the City the cost of such professional consulting services. This fee shall be in addition to the normal plan review and building permit fees." The city may require a deposit up front, in an amount set at the Building Official's discretion. Lynden, in the same county, has a comparable rule.
Not stated in this guide - see notes

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Alteration or Change of Occupancy in an Older Building permit actually take in Bellingham?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    Tips

    • The 1985 date is a local amendment to IEBC Section 1401.2 - do not assume a neighbouring city uses the same threshold
    • Establish the building's construction date early; it changes which route your project takes

    Frequently asked questions

    Bellingham requires an alteration or change of occupancy in an older building permit for: Applies to structures existing prior to January 1, 1985 where work involves additions, alterations or changes of occupancy; Such work "shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter or the provisions of Chapters 5 through 13" of the International Existing Building Code; Applies to existing occupancies in Groups A, B, E, F, I-2, M, R and S; Does NOT apply to buildings with occupancies in Group H or I-1, I-3 or I-4. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Bellingham - Building Services at (360) 778-8000 before starting work.

    In Bellingham, the published Building permit fee is: Not stated in this guide - see notes. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Bellingham does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Bellingham - Building Services at (360) 778-8000 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Building permit application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Bellingham - Building Services. Phone: (360) 778-8000. Official information: https://www.cob.org/.

    Bellingham, Washington has adopted: THE 2021 EDITIONS, NAMED, AND TAKING STATE AMENDMENTS AS THEY COME. BMC 17.10.010(A): "Except as amended by this chapter, the following codes, published by the International Code Council, as now and hereafter amended by the state of Washington, are hereby adopted by reference: 1. 2021 International Building Code and Appendix E - Chapter 51-50 WAC; 2. 2021 International Residential Code and Appendix AT - Chapter 51-51 WAC; 3. 2021 International Mechanical Code; 4. 2021 International Fuel Gas Code; 5. 2021 International Property Maintenance Code; 6. 2021 International Existing Building Code; 7. 2021 International Energy Conservation Code; 8. 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Code and Appendix E; 9. 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code".; THE EDITIONS ARE NOT ALL ONE CYCLE. BMC 17.10.010(B) adopts the "2021 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54)" and the "2020 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58)"; subsection (D) adopts "The 2023 National Electric Code (NFPA 70), as amended by Chapter 296-46B WAC". So the electrical code is two cycles ahead of the building code and the LP gas code one behind - the same spread Tukwila shows.; A WILDFIRE CODE APPLIES, AND THE CITY ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE STATE. BMC 17.10.010(E): "In accordance with state requirements, 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code - Chapter 51-55 WAC." Federal Way also carries the 2021 IWUIC. Bellingham's wording credits a state requirement; this guide reports that phrasing and does not adjudicate whether the two adoptions have the same origin.; THE PLUMBING CODE IS THE 2021 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE under Chapter 51-56 WAC, adopted by BMC 17.10.010(C) on the same "as now and hereafter amended" basis.; RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.. Local amendments apply — see the Bellingham overview page for the full list.

    Yes, with a specific cut-off. Its Construction Administrative Code amends IEBC Section 1401.2 so that structures existing prior to January 1, 1985, where the work involves additions, alterations or changes of occupancy, must conform to that chapter or to Chapters 5 through 13. It applies to Groups A, B, E, F, I-2, M, R and S, and expressly not to Group H or I-1, I-3 or I-4.

    Sources & verification

    Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.

    Codes & ordinances

    Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Bellingham building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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