20.32.030 Permitted uses | Bellingham Municipal Code

20.32.030 Permitted uses.

A. Uses Permitted Outright. No building or land shall be used within areas designated RM except as enumerated below corresponding to the applicable use qualifier:

Use Qualifier		Permitted Use
Transition	1.	Detached single-family dwelling unit with less than 5,500 square feet of total floor area pursuant to BMC 20.32.010(B). (See conditional uses.)
	2.	Duplex (See BMC 20.32.040(F) and 20.32.045(K) for limitations on number of rooms in a duplex and single-family attached dwelling units in districts with a transition use qualifier.)
	3.	Publicly owned parks, trails and playgrounds
	4.	Private recreational facilities, recreational vehicle storage lots or common open space (where approved as part of an approved subdivision).
	5.	Mixed use (where such a use is specifically listed in the neighborhood land use plan).
	6.	Public utilities (when located within a public right-of-way).
	7.	Attached accessory dwelling units (consistent with procedures and requirements outlined in BMC 20.10.036).
	8.	Detached accessory dwelling units (consistent with procedures and requirements outlined in BMC 20.10.036).
	9.	Confidential shelters subject to the provisions of BMC 20.10.047.
	10.	Wireless communication facilities, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.13 BMC.
	11.	Co-housing developments, subject to the requirements of BMC 20.10.048.
	12.	Short-term rentals, BMC 20.10.037.
	13.	Certain temporary homeless shelters, per Chapter 20.15 BMC.
	14.	Certain interim housing, per Chapter 20.15A BMC.
	15.	Infill housing units, subject to Chapter 20.28 BMC.

Multiple	1.	All those permitted within the transition use qualifier.
	2.	Multifamily dwelling units.
	3.	Billboards, subject to the provisions of this chapter, and only within the billboard overlay zones delineated by BMC 20.08.020, Figure 15.

Planned	1.	Detached single-family dwellings pursuant to BMC 20.32.010(B).
	2.	Duplexes.
	3.	Multifamily dwelling units.
	4.	Mobile/manufactured home parks (MHP). MHPs located within the MHP overlay are subject to Article III in Chapter 20.35 BMC. All MHPs are subject to BMC 20.10.033.
	5.	Short-term rentals, per BMC 20.10.037.
	6.	Private or public parks, playgrounds, trails, private recreational facilities, recreational vehicular storage areas and open space restricted to usage by the occupants within the planned area.
	7.	Mixed use if specifically listed in the neighborhood land use plan.
	8.	Public utilities located in a public right-of-way or easement.
	9.	Any conditional use permitted in the residential multi designation, Chapter 20.32 BMC.
	10.	Attached accessory dwelling unit (consistent with procedures and requirements outlined in BMC 20.10.036).
	11.	Detached accessory dwelling unit (consistent with procedures and requirements outlined in BMC 20.10.036).
	12.	Confidential shelters subject to the provisions of BMC 20.10.047.
	13.	Wireless communication facilities, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.13 BMC.
	14.	Co-housing, subject to the standards of BMC 20.10.048. The planned development process of this chapter shall apply.
	15.	Community public facilities, other than publicly owned parks, trails and playgrounds, subject to consideration of the factors in BMC 20.16.020(K)(4)(c).
	16.	Certain temporary shelters, per Chapter 20.15 BMC.
	17.	Certain interim housing, per Chapter 20.15A BMC.
	18.	Infill housing units, subject to Chapter 20.28 BMC.

B. Conditional Uses. The following uses may be allowed if approval can be obtained, based upon standards and requirements for conditional uses as specified in Chapter 20.16 BMC:

1. School.

2. Church.

3. Neighborhood club/activity center.

4. Nonconforming use; signage.

5. Golf course facilities.

6. Riding academy.

7. Medical care facility.

8. Public utilities, other than those described in subsection (A) of this section.

9. Day care.

10. Service care.

11. Day treatment center.

12. Child placing agency.

13. Adaptive uses for historic register buildings as defined in BMC 20.16.020(A)(1).

14. Short-term rentals, per BMC 20.10.037.

15. Boarding and rooming houses.

16. Parking facilities (nonretail), when used in conjunction with other permitted or conditional uses in the RM general use type.

17. Agricultural nursery.

18. Eating establishment (multiple use qualifier only).

19. Single-family residence containing 5,500 square feet or more total floor area (subject to the standards found in BMC 20.16.020(M)(4)).

20. Wireless communication facilities, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.13 BMC.

21. Art schools.

22. Community public facilities, with the exception of publicly owned parks, trails and playgrounds; subject to the provisions of BMC 20.16.020(K)(4).

23. Certain interim housing, per Chapter 20.15A BMC.

1. Nonconforming, Planned. Any existing building and/or existing use located upon property designated as planned without having gained approval of a planned development permit shall be deemed nonconforming subject to the limitations found within Chapter 20.14 BMC; provided, however, that the following shall be permitted:

a. A change of occupancy to a use enumerated within the permitted uses listed in BMC 20.32.030(A) corresponding to the applicable general use type. For wireless communication facilities, see Chapter 20.13 BMC for additional regulations pertaining to properties designated as planned.

b. Interior renovations involving no exterior expansion, to a use enumerated within the permitted uses listed in BMC 20.32.030(A) corresponding to the applicable general use type.

c. A one-time expansion not to exceed 50 percent of the existing floor area, or 5,000 square feet, whichever is less, for an existing use which is enumerated within the permitted uses listed in BMC 20.32.030(A) corresponding to the planned use qualifier.

d. Construction of an accessory dwelling unit pursuant to BMC 20.10.036.

2. Such expansion must be accomplished in conformance with the following regulations:

a. For property designated planned residential, all applicable regulations within Chapter 20.32 BMC related to a “multiple” use qualifier, unless the use is a single-family residence in which all applicable regulations within the residential single chapter shall apply.

b. For wireless communication facilities, the provisions of Chapter 20.13 BMC shall apply. [Ord. 2022-11-025 § 6; Ord. 2021-10-044 § 11; Ord. 2020-02-002 § 5; Ord. 2018-11-024 § 8; Ord. 2018-10-019 § 5; Ord. 2018-05-009 § 16; Ord. 2005-12-094; Ord. 2004-09-065; Ord. 2002-10-069 § 53; Ord. 2002-06-045 § 14; Ord. 2001-11-077 § 6; Ord. 2001-07-049; Ord. 1998-11-089; Ord. 1998-11-088 § 4; Ord. 1998-08-062; Ord. 1998-07-057; Ord. 1998-06-034 § 4; Ord. 10674 § 20, 1995; Ord. 10643 §§ 8, 9, 1995; Ord. 9639 § 4, 1987; Ord. 9582 § 7, 1986; Ord. 9024, 1982].