Service Change

Whatcom County Government is committed to caring for the health and well-being of our employees, customers and our communities and to reducing the threat of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. In response to the public health concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19,  the Whatcom County Planning & Development Services (PDS) and Public Works Engineering Services departments are temporarily closed to public “in person” services.(Our lobby/Permit Centers will be closed to the public.) However, we are still very much “open for business”. We will continue to provide services for permit processing and staff will be available to assist customers and the public via telephone, email and video conferencing options. We have shifted our application and permit intake processes to be done digitally.  Below you will find more specific information and resources.

We encourage our customers to utilize the following online and telephone options:

How Do I?

• View a GIS Map for property in Whatcom County with zoning information, etc. You can go to the Whatcom County Tax Parcel Viewer.  Here are some instructions on how to use the map viewer--GIS Tax Parcel Viewer Instructions. For more detailed instruction there is the GIS Parcel View Help Page with expanded information and FAQ's.
• Make a General Property Inquiry--complete this online form and our staff will get back to you either by phone or email.
• Review our Interim Building Permit Vesting Policy to the 2015 International Building Code
• Get instructions on submission of a Building prescreen, Building permit application/issuance, permit payments, etc go our  Building Services page.
• Get information about submission of Current Planning land use applications--go to our Current Planning page.
• Get information about submission of Natural Resource applications go to our Natural Resource page.
• Contact PDS
  • Main Phone number: 360-778-5900
  • General Email: pds@whatcomcounty.us
  • Full Staff Directory