Bellingham Institutes Locking Mailbox Requirements for Rentals

All rental property owners in the City of Bellingham should be aware of new city ordinance that took effect as of January 1, 2025. Per Bellingham Municipal Code 6.15.050(B)(14):

14. All residential housing units subject to registration under this chapter shall include secure, locking mail receptacles for each individual housing unit:

a. All newly constructed residential housing units shall include secure, locking mail receptacles for each individual housing unit prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy.

b. Property owners of existing residential housing units shall install secure, locking mail receptacles for each individual housing unit prior to applying for a renewal of their residential rental registration.

c. Secure, locking mail receptacles must comply with all other local, state, federal and U.S. Postal Service rules and regulations.

d. Failure to comply with the requirement to provide secure, locking mail receptacles for each individual housing unit may subject the property owner to correction notice and penalties identified in this chapter.

This ordinance can be found at the following link (https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/6.15.050(B)(14)).

Per the law, newly constructed rental units must install these locking mailboxes, before a certificate of occupancy is issued. However, for existing rental units, these locking mailboxes must be installed before the landlord applies for renewal of the rental registration with the City of Bellingham.

The new locking mailbox requirement is designed to help reduce mail theft, support renters’ financial security, and protect them from identify theft. Mail theft is one of the primary avenues for identity theft, and protecting your tenants’ mail will help ensure their safety and contribute to a stronger working relationship. More information on identity theft and a help line to report such conduct can be found at the following link from the U.S. Government (https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft).

Enforcement of the ordinance is via Rental Safety Inspectors as part of their scheduled inspections of rental units. All rental properties are inspected prior to application for residential rental registration but otherwise occur at least once every three years. Information on Bellingham Rental Safety Inspections can be found at the following link (https://cob.org/services/permits/rentals/safety-inspections).

When a property is due for such inspection, the City will send out a Notice of Inspection including the dates of the assigned inspection timeline, the inspection preference for the applicable rental units, and the date the City inspector will be visiting the unit or the final date a private inspector will need to submit their own inspection. Importantly, tenants must be provided with written notification of the inspection 48 hours (or more) in advance of the date/time assigned according to RCW 59.18.150(6) (available at https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.150).

Additionally, renters can submit their own request for a locking mailbox via a Code Enforcement Request, however, the renter must provide written notice to the landlord before doing so. This means the landlord will have a window of time to address the deficiency before any City action. See RCW 59.18.070 (available at https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.070).

Rental Registrations and Safety Inspections are governed by Chapter 6.15 of the Bellingham Municipal Code, which can be found at the following link (https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/6.15).

For those property owners seeking to purchase a new mailbox, be sure to look for the “USPS Approved” stamp and for a box large enough to handle daily mail, full size envelopes, and small parcels. The new mailbox may be placed in the same location as the old one without notification, however, any relocation of the mailbox will need to be approved by the Permit Center (available at https://cob.org/services/permits).

The City of Bellingham intends to work with property managers to bring them into compliance but will subject out-of-compliance properties to penalties if necessary. Penalties include “a fine not to exceed $200.00 per day for the first 10 days that the violation or failure to comply exists and $500.00 per day for each day thereafter.” See BMC 6.15.150 (available at https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/6.15.150).

Protecting your tenants from identity theft and other mail-based crime is essential for a productive and lucrative rental property. If you are experiencing any legal issues regarding your rental property, it is recommended to consult with an attorney experienced in landlord-tenant law.