Buying in Bellingham? This Law Changes Everything

Moving to Bellingham, Washington means navigating the biggest change to hit the local housing market in decades. Washington State's new middle housing law (HB 1110) now allows 4 to 6 housing units on single-family lots in Bellingham, opening the door to duplexes, triplexes, ADUs, and townhouses in neighborhoods that were previously restricted to one home per lot. This video covers what the law means, why it was passed, and how it affects your home search in the Bellingham Washington real estate market. If you're thinking about moving to Bellingham, Washington, this state law touches every home purchase decision you'll make. Washington State's middle housing law now permits duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottages, townhouses, and ADUs (accessory dwelling units) in what used to be single-family-only zones — and Bellingham's unique geography between Lake Whatcom, the mountains, and Bellingham Bay makes density policy especially critical here. Whether you're eyeing larger lots in the Birchwood neighborhood, exploring more affordable townhouse options, or considering a home with ADU potential for multi-generational living, understanding Bellingham Washington real estate under HB 1110 is essential for any buyer in 2026. 🤔 Thinking of moving to Bellingham, Washington? Reach out — Tim helps families relocate to Bellingham every week. 📱 Call or Text: 1 (360) 223-0190 📨 Email: [email protected] 📅 Book a Call: https://calendly.com/timcornwell/30-m... ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Washington State's Housing Crisis Explained 1:09 Why Are Housing Prices So High in Bellingham WA? 2:09 What Is Middle Housing in Washington State? 4:38 What Types of Homes Count as Middle Housing? 8:24 HB 1110: Washington's New Middle Housing Law 9:12 How Many Units Are Allowed Per Lot in Bellingham? 11:46 Lake Whatcom and Setback Exceptions in Bellingham 13:59 Middle Housing Examples in Bellingham's Fountain District 15:36 ADUs in Bellingham: Accessory Dwelling Units Explained 18:30 What Middle Housing Means for Buyers Moving to Bellingham 19:39 Will Middle Housing Affect Bellingham Home Values? 20:51 ADU and Creative Housing Opportunities in Bellingham WA 22:00 Connect with Tim Cornwell — Bellingham WA Real Estate ❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ❓ What is Washington state's middle housing law? → HB 1110, passed in 2023, requires cities over 75,000 (like Bellingham) to allow 4 to 6 dwelling units per residential lot, replacing single-family-only zoning. ❓ How does the middle housing law affect Bellingham Washington real estate? → Homeowners and developers can now build duplexes, triplexes, ADUs, and townhouses on lots that were previously restricted to one single-family home. ❓ Can I build an ADU on my lot in Bellingham, Washington? → Yes — ADUs are explicitly allowed under Washington state's middle housing law, though Lake Whatcom watershed properties and critical areas have additional restrictions. ❓ Which Bellingham neighborhoods will see the most middle housing development? → Larger-lot areas like Birchwood are likely candidates for more density; smaller-lot neighborhoods like Columbia have more limited potential due to lot size constraints. ❓ Is moving to Bellingham Washington still a good investment with the new housing laws? → Yes — larger lots may increase in value as the land becomes eligible for higher density, making lot size a smart strategic consideration when buying. ▶ New to this channel? Subscribe for a new Bellingham video every week: 👉    / @bellinghamandbeyond   Whether you're relocating to Bellingham from out of state, moving from Seattle or the greater Puget Sound region, or downsizing within Whatcom County, this channel covers every neighborhood, price point, and lifestyle consideration to help you decide if Bellingham is the right fit. — 👋 About Tim Cornwell Tim Cornwell is a lifelong Bellingham resident and NWMLS licensed broker with Redwood Group. He helps families relocate to Bellingham and the surrounding Whatcom County area, comparing neighborhoods, weighing trade-offs, and finding the right fit for each client's lifestyle and budget. — DISCLAIMER All stats, home pricing, housing unit counts, and neighborhood information are accurate to the best of the agent's knowledge at the time of recording and are subject to change. This video is for educational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Tim Cornwell | Bellingham Washington Real Estate Agent | NWMLS Broker License 25916 | Redwood Group #Bellingham #BellinghamWashington #MiddleHousing #BellinghamRealEstate #MovingToBellingham