City of Bellingham Municipal Code

20.12.020 - LOADING

A. Applicability. All new buildings and uses shall meet the loading requirements herein specified.

B. Number Required.

1. Any building intended to be used for retail, wholesale, warehouse, freight, hospital, industrial and manufacturing uses shall be provided with off-street loading berths according to this schedule:

a. One berth for each building containing 10,000 to 25,000 square feet of floor area.

b. Two berths for each building containing 25,000+ square feet of floor area.

2. Any building intended to be used for a hotel, eating or drinking establishments, community center, convention hall or other similar use shall be provided with off-street loading berths according to this schedule:

b. Two berths for each building containing 50,000+ square feet of floor area.

1. Off street loading facilities shall be designed and maintained in accordance with the standards herein.

2. Each loading berth shall be at least 10' wide and 45' long.

3. Loading berths shall not be located within any required yard.

4. Loading berths shall be located entirely on the property they are intended to serve and designed in such a way that the street does not serve as a maneuvering area.

5. Access to loading berths shall be from an alley when such exists.

6. If it is desirable, two or more buildings having a common wall may locate their required loading berths in one location; provided the number of berths shall not be less than the sum of the required berths for all the buildings concerned, and further, there shall be access from each building to the loading berth.

7. Loading areas shall be so designed that traffic congestion and interference is avoided and the highest possible degree of safety is maintained.