Family Definition: Accommodating Today's Families

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PROJECT SUMMARY

Over the past several years, both City Council and residents have identified the current Family definition (as used in Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 20.08) as one area that should be reviewed to reflect changed demographics and address housing inequities. The project also has the potential to implement many of the Comprehensive Plan's goals and policies, including those related to housing, equity and compact growth.

After reviewing the history of Family definitions, litigation around this issue, and examples from other communities, the following principles were developed to guide the discussion on potential changes to the Family definition:

• Protect health and safety;
• Accommodate the very changed reality of “family”;
• Provide housing choice that is responsive to the new reality of family while considering neighborhood character. Character is not defined by ownership; rather, construction type and building form help shape it;
• Respect the privacy of residents; and
• Consider legal and enforcement issues associated with the City's existing and possible future Family definition.

For more information on this project, go to cob.org/familydefinition.