Whatcom County Government

Today, Executive Sidhu signed the official update to the County's 2016 Comprehensive Plan with Council Chair Kaylee Galloway and Planning Director Mark Personius in attendance.

The Comprehensive Plan establishes goals and policies for how the county should grow over the next two decades and provides a framework for the allocation of population growth, land use, facility and transportation planning, and environmental protection.

Thank you to the staff, community members, and the Whatcom County Council for all their efforts on this critical work. You can learn more about the Comprehensive Plan here: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4373/Comprehensive-Plan-Update

Whatcom County continues to invest in affordable housing!

This 64-unit affordable housing development was made possible in part with support from the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment (EDI) Program as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our community where all can affordable to thrive.

Check out the design for this affordable housing project in downtown Bellingham The four-story, 64-unit development will offer units to individuals and families earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income.

August 4 Primary and Special Election Update: Ballot boxes are closed and unofficial results are posted after 8:00 pm!

Remember, results are not final until certification on August 18.

Visit our site for the latest updates - Results.votewa.gov/results/public/whatcom-county-wa/elections/20260804

If you have any questions, contact the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office at 360-778-5102 or [email protected]

It's going to get very hot and smoky here in Whatcom over the next few days - here's how to protect yourself during this time courtesy of your Whatcom County Health and Community Services department!

HEAT AND SMOKE ALERT: An Air Quality Alert and Heat Advisory are in effect for Whatcom County. Wildfire smoke from Canada may reach unhealthy levels this week, and temperatures are expected to reach near 90 degrees in parts of the county Wednesday and Thursday. These conditions can create health risks, especially for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with heart or lung conditions (such as asthma or COPD).

Read our newsflash for more wildfire smoke safety tips: https://bit.ly/4wEZY3H

Current conditions: http://bit.ly/3lXahMq

Vote it, sign it, return it!

Don’t forget to return your ballot for the August 4 Primary and Special by 8:00 pm sharp on August 4 to an Official Ballot Drop Box.

Find an Official Ballot Drop Box at www.whatcomcounty.us/1863/Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations.

If you have not received your ballot, contact the Whatcom County Auditor’s at 360-778-5102 or [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who came out and said hello at the Bigfoot Festival in Maple Falls this past weekend.

While we cannot guarantee a cryptid encounter in all of our incredible parks - there are certainly plenty of places to try!

See a complete list of Whatcom County Parks here: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/3320/Parks-Brochure---Map-PDF

There are community members offering ballot return services. If a voter chooses to return their ballot at one of these unofficial locations, it is the voter’s choice to do so.

Please know these are not Official Ballot Drop Boxes locations, and are not affiliated with the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, Elections Division. There are no Washington State laws that prevent ballot harvesting (people collecting voted ballots).

Auditor Henthorn strongly recommends a voter return their ballot to any of the 23 Official Ballot Drop Box locations by 8:00 pm sharp on August 4. You will find the list of Official Ballot Drop Boxes here: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1863/Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations

It's time for Monday Whatcom Trivia!

This Maine politician served as congressman, Speaker of the House, Senator, presidential candidate, witness to a presidential assassination, and in the later years of his career, Secretary of State.

Despite never setting foot in Whatcom County, one of our cities is named in his honor (due to the popularity of his presidential campaign at the time).

Who was this elected official who lends his name to a Whatcom community?

This weekend is a great weekend to wash your car - here's some tips on how to do it right from your local Whatcom County Public Works!

Perfect weekend for a car wash! Help protect our waterways while you’re at it. Commercial car washes are the best option because they recycle water and send it to the sewer. Washing at home? Do it over grass or gravel so water can filter through the soil.

Otherwise, soapy, dirty wash water can flow straight into rivers, creeks, lakes, and bays.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/Bv2w50ZuQcc

Make your vote count! Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4, which means there are only 5 days left to return your ballot. Using an official ballot drop box is the most direct way to return your ballot to the Auditor’s Office on time.

There are 23 official ballot drop boxes in Whatcom County. Find a location near you at www.whatcomcounty.us/1863/Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations.

If you have not received your ballot, contact the Election Division at 360-778-5102 or [email protected]!