Residential and downtown streets changing to 20 mph

Drivers will begin seeing new 20 mph speed limit signs throughout Bellingham starting Tuesday, August 25, as the City lowers speed limits on residential streets and throughout downtown. The changes are intended to reduce serious crashes and create safer streets for people walking, biking and driving.

"We're lowering speed limits because slower speeds protect people," said Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director. "Slowing down is a shared responsibility, and it's an important way we can help keep our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors safe."

What’s changing, and when

• 20 mph on non-arterial residential streets and downtown. The new 20 mph default applies to residential, local access streets where limits are not posted directly. A 20 mph limit also applies in the downtown business district. Traffic signals downtown are already timed to 20 mph, so we don’t anticipate any impacts to traffic on these streets.
• Updated speed limits apply once crews post new signs. 20 mph speed limit signs will begin appearing at city entrances and in downtown in early August. As drivers adjust to the new limits, the Bellingham Police Department will initially provide education and warnings to drivers, with enforcement to start at the beginning of the school year.
• Additional speed limit updates on select arterial streets are planned for Summer 2027 and Summer 2028. These future changes will align posted speeds with updated municipal code, federal guidelines, and engineering evaluations. We’ll share more information about those plans as they get closer.

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Driving speed and pedestrian safety risks in a collision

Why we’re slowing down

Slower speeds give drivers more time to react and significantly reduce the likelihood that a crash will result in a serious injury or death. Research consistently shows that even small reductions in speed can make a meaningful difference, especially for people walking or biking.

Slowing down in neighborhoods and other places where people walk, bike, and gather can reduce the risk of serious crashes and make streets safer for everyone.

Please watch out for each other — and for the new speed limit signs around town. More information can be found on the Citywide Speed Limit Changes project page.