Bellingham's volunteer boards and commissions advise the Mayor and Council on everything from parks to water rates. Here's what each one does, how many seats it has, and where seats are open.
FilledRecruiting now (open or opening soon)Open
Connects neighborhood associations with City Hall.
36 of 50 seats filled · 14 open (a representative and an alternate for each of 25 neighborhoods)
Meets 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Seats are filled through your neighborhood associationAdvises on spending Greenways levy money for parks, trails and open space.
6 of 11 seats filled · 5 open
Meets 1st Thursday, 7 p.m.
Advises on parks, programs and plans for the Parks Department.
7 of 11 seats filled · 4 open
Meets 2nd Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.
Advises on water, sewer and stormwater systems, rates and drinking water protection.
9 of 9 seats filled · 3 opening soon (up to 9)
Meets 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Recommends how tourism promotion grants are awarded.
12 of 13 seats filled · 1 open
Meets 4th Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Governs the foundation that supports the Whatcom Museum.
13 of 15 seats filled · 2 open (10 to 15 trustees; the City appoints half)
Meets 4th Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Recommends how federal housing and community grants (CDBG, HOME) are spent.
11 of 12 seats filled · 1 open (12 on the roster, up to 15 allowed)
Meets 2nd Thursday, 6 p.m.
Governs the agency that owns and runs low-income housing in Bellingham and Whatcom County.
5 of 5 seats filled · 1 opening soon
Meets 3rd Tuesday, 1 p.m.
Shared with Whatcom CountyFunds downtown cultural facilities like the Mount Baker Theatre and Whatcom Museum.
6 of 7 seats filled · 1 open
Meets 3rd Thursday, noon, 4 to 6 times a year
County residents can applyAdvises on long-range transportation policy and spending priorities.
8 of 9 seats filled · 1 open
Meets 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m.
County residents can applyAdvises on bringing the arts into civic life.
7 of 7 seats filled · full (up to 7)
Meets 1st Tuesday, evenings
Oversees hiring exams and appeals for civil service jobs.
5 of 5 seats filled · full
Meets 2nd Wednesday, 2 p.m.
Reviews the design of proposed buildings and advises the planning director.
5 of 5 seats filled · full
Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Keeps the local historic register and advises on historic buildings.
7 of 7 seats filled · full
Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday
Holds hearings and advises the Council on zoning and the comprehensive plan.
7 of 7 seats filled · full
Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday, 6 p.m.
Fill out the City's boards and commissions application. Applications stay on file for a year and are considered as seats open. Most boards require living in Bellingham city limits for at least a year; a few accept county residents.
Questions: the Mayor's Office, (360) 778-8100 or mayorsoffice@cob.org. The City's vacancy list (updated Oct. 30).
Not counted: Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group (limited-term (through 2027); members confirmed Aug. 24, roster not yet posted); Sehome Hill Arboretum Board (seats are split among the City, WWU and students); EMS Oversight Board and EMS Technical Advisory Board (most seats belong to agencies and officials); WHAT-COMM Administrative Board (seats belong to officials); Library Board of Trustees and the Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence (run their own pages).
As of Nov. 5, 2026. Seats come from each board's page; open seats are seats without a listed member, or the City's posted vacancies if higher. We count members but don't name them. Method
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