The Urban Fringe Subarea Plan was initially adopted in 1984 and last updated in 2018. The Subarea Plan provides the policy framework for addressing the impacts and opportunities of growth in Bellingham's Urban Growth Area (UGA). The Plan addresses a number of topics, including:
- Density
- Housing
- Land use
- Natural environment
- Open space
- Parks and recreation
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Other public services
The Subarea Plan supplements the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.