Fire Marshal Lifts Burn Ban Restrictions Effective 5:00 pm September 25th

Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Fire Marshal’s Office will lift the burn ban for outdoor burning.  The burn ban will be lifted at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 25^th, 2020 for the unincorporated areas of Whatcom Cou...

Burn Ban Restrictions Reduced - Effective 5:00 pm Wednesday September 23, 2020

Whatcom County – Due to the increase in fuel moisture levels and recent rain, the Fire Marshal’s Office will begin to allow recreational fires again.  The modified burning restrictions will be in effect beginning at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, Septembe...

Second Half Property Tax Deadline Will Not Be Extended

County Treasurer Steve Oliver announced that the second half property tax due date will not be extended. Whatcom County property owners who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, have until Monday, November 2 to pay th...

Silver Lake Park Dry Hydrant Construction and Temporary Boat Launch Closure

The boat launch at Silver Lake Park will be closed September 28, 2020 through October 9, 2020 during construction of a new dry hydrant in the vicinity of the boat launch.

Auditor's Response to USPS Election Mailer

Whatcom County voters may soon receive a postcard from the U.S. Postal Service encouraging voters to “plan ahead” for the November 3 General Election.  Among the recommendations is to request a mail-in or absentee ballot at le...

Updated Burn Ban - Outdoor Burning Prohibited Effective Immediately

Due to increasingly dry weather conditions, and anticipated increase of Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire danger to HIGH, the Deputy Fire Marshal, Curtis Metz, has ordered restrictions on all open burning.   Effective im...

Mobile testing program continues during the week of August 30

The mobile testing program organized and staffed by the Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command will continue at all sites throughout the county during the week of August 30. Tests are available by appointment only.

Testing is...

Ferry Dry Dock Shuttle Service and Vehicle Parking Information Available Online

Our Ferry Division is preparing for the annual dry dock maintenance of the Whatcom Chief, scheduled to begin on Sept. 12. We have updated our Dry Dock Webpage with additional information on our island shuttle van service and personal vehicle parking maps ...

Funding to Support Rent and Mortgage Payments Available Now

The Whatcom County Health Department is working with local partners to implement two new housing assistance programs funded by the CARES Act that will provide over $3,300,000 for Whatcom County households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. T...

Cooling off carefully: Safe water recreation

Summer is here, and it is a hot one! Many of us are enjoying staycations this summer rather than travelling, and our waterfronts are getting crowded with people trying to beat the heat. Cooling off at one of our beautiful beaches always feels great. But w...

Testing is just one tool in our toolbox

Using the right tool for a task is more efficient and usually gets better results. Testing is an essential tool to help control the spread of COVID-19, but it’s not the only tool in our toolbox. Some of the tools we have can be used by each of u...

Two new charts added to Whatcom County’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard

We’ve added two new charts to our Data Dashboard page today to provide more information about COVID-19 activity in our county.

The first is a map that shows the rate of newly identified cases over the previous 14 days by location of residence wit...

New guidance for face coverings: when and where you should wear them

On July 25th, Washington State updated the requirements for wearing face coverings. Face coverings are now required in any common spaces where you can’t socially distance. This includes places such as:

• Elevators.
• Hallways, courtyards,  an...

The most important COVID number for you to watch

Since the pandemic began, many of us have been closely following data about COVID-19 to track numbers about infections both near and far. It turns out that the most important COVID-19 number to watch is the number of people you gather with. And good news:...

Share Compassion, Not COVID

Share Compassion, not COVID-19

We’re all weary of the ongoing effort to protect our community from the impact of COVID-19. At times, we may feel angry, fearful, anxious, or overwhelmed. It can make it all the more challenging to practice empathy ...

Show You Care, Wear A Mask

Until we have a vaccine or cure for COVID-19, wearing face coverings, along with physical distancing, are the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a face covering on a regular basis is a new experience for most of us. It can feel aw...

New Resources Website for Whatcom County Providers

Our local care providers work hard for our safety, from managing their daily duties to keeping up with the rapid influx of new information received daily. To support this critical work, the Whatcom County Health Department launched a new website tailored ...

Limited In-Office County Services Available by Appointment

Starting Monday, June 15, citizens may begin making appointments for certain limited in-office services provided by the Whatcom County Auditor, Treasurer, and Assessor’s offices. Appointments will be available starting Wednesday, June 17. In ord...

Masks and Social Distancing Mandatory at County Courthouse

Presiding Superior Court Judge Garrett has issued an administrative order on public health measures to protect the safety and security of all people in the County Courthouse effective Monday May 11, 2020. This order requires that all employees, vendors, a...

New Pilot Project -- Do It Yourself Mitigation Plan

Whatcom County has developed a pilot project to allow single-family homeowners to complete their own mitigation plans. This Do it Yourself (DIY) Single Family Residential mitigation packet is for projects impacting 1,000 square feet or less of critical ar...