Zoning
Zoning Maps
You can locate a properties zone designation by viewing the online Zoning Maps. These maps are broken down by township and are updated regularly whenever the zone and/or jurisdictional boundary changes. Each map, if applicable, will consist of zone designations, city limits, watershed boundaries, urban growth areas (UGA), and mineral resources lands (MRL).
For zoning information about properties in the incorporated areas of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas contact the appropriate jurisdiction.
Rezoning
Rezoning property is different than getting a permit. Permitting involves applying existing law to your property while rezoning is changing the law applicable to your property.
Boundary Abbreviations
The zoning maps will designate a district boundary by an abbreviation. The following is a list of zone district abbreviations and associated terms that you will find on the Whatcom County zoning maps.
- GC: General Commercial
- NC: Neighborhood Commercial
- RC: Resort Commercial
- RGC: Rural General Commercial
- STC: Small Town Commercial
- TC: Tourist Commercial
- AO: Airport Operations
- GI: Gateway Industrial
- GM: General Manufacturing
- HII: Heavy Impact Industrial
- LII: Light Impact Industrial
- RIM: Rural Industrial Manufacturing
- AG: Agriculture
- CF: Commercial Forestry
- MRL: Mineral Resource Lands
- RF: Rural Forestry
- R2A: Rural - 1 Unit / 2 Acres
- R5A: Rural - 1 Unit / 5 Acres
- R10A: Rural - 1 Unit / 10 Acres
- RR1: Rural Residential - 1 Units / Acre
- RR10A: Rural Residential - 1 Unit / 10 Acres
- RR2: Rural Residential - 2 Units / Acre
- RR3: Rural Residential - 3 Units / Acre
- RR5A: Rural Residential - 1 Unit / 5 Acres
- RRI: Rural Residential Island
- TZ: Point Roberts Transitional
- UR3: Urban Residential - 3 Units / Acre
- UR4: Urban Residential - 4 Units / Acre
- URM6: Urban Residential Medium Density - 6 Units / Acre
- URM12: Urban Residential Medium Density - 12 Units / Acre
- URM18: Urban Residential Medium Density - 18 Units / Acre
- URM24: Urban Residential Medium Density - 24 Units / Acre
- URMX: Urban Residential Mixed Use
- URMX6-10: Urban Residential Mixed Use - 6-10 Units / Acre
- URMX6-12: Urban Residential Mixed Use - 6-12 Units / Acre
- URMX10-24: Urban Residential Mixed Use - 10-24 Units / Acre
- EI: Eliza Island
- PUD: Planned Unit Development
- ROS: Recreation Open Space
