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Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)
It is the event sponsor's responsibility to comply
with all City, County, State and Federal
accessibility requirements, including the ADA.
The ADA mandates equal access to facilities,
services, and programs for persons with a
disability. This may include providing a clear
path of travel to and on sidewalks, maintaining
designated ADA parking and accessibility to
restrooms.
Visit the City's ADA General Information Page
for additional resources:
https://www.cob.org/gov/access/Pages/ada-
information.aspx
Amplified Sound
The City of Bellingham regulates public
disturbance noise under Bellingham Municipal
Code 10.24.120. This ordinance defines the
types of sound and music that may be
considered a nuisance and subject to
enforcement. Additional consideration is
provided for sound occurring within the
Fairhaven and Downtown entertainment
districts. Any specific conditions related to
noise, such as hours of amplified sound, will be
outlined in the Special Event permit.
Amplified music in City parks must not exceed 2
hours and must end before 9 p.m. Maritime
Heritage Park, Depot Market Square, and the
Fairhaven Village Green facilities managed by
the City Parks and Recreation Department allow
amplified music which is audible over 50-feet.
Other facilities may allow public address
systems or concerts that comply with the public
disturbance noise ordinance.
The best way to handle a noise complaint is to
avoid one in the first place! Be a good neighbor
and provide advance notice to adjacent
property owners/users. Most complaints are
reported when the noise level is unreasonably
loud, has been going on for a long period of
time, or takes place outside of permitted hours.
Annual Events
City facilities and resources are reserved on a
first-come, first-serve basis not more than one
year prior to the proposed date. When more
than one applicant requests the same date,
time and/or venue, priority will be determined
by the Mayor.
Banners
The City's banner program allows for the display
of artwork, public service announcements, or
event announcements in pre-approved
locations to promote events within the City of
Bellingham. Banners must be non-religious and
non-political in nature and be approved through
a separate banner permit.
Reservations are made on a first-come, first-
serve basis and will be accepted up to one year
in advance and no sooner than six months in
advance of the first day of the month the
banner will be installed.
Banner General Requirements
Race Starting Line, John Kienast Jr.