Bellingham, WA · Whatcom County
Special Valuation Application
Historic property owners use this application and checklist to request Bellingham Special Valuation after rehabilitating an eligible building.
What this form is
This application concerns a ten-year property tax reduction for eligible historic buildings. The property owner first applies to the Whatcom County Assessor before October 1; the application may be no more than 24 months after rehabilitation began. The form requests project and applicant details, and its checklist identifies supporting records, rehabilitation costs, photographs, drawings, and an application fee.
Who needs it
Owners of eligible historic properties that have been rehabilitated may use this application to seek Special Valuation.
How to submit it
Apply to the Whatcom County Assessor before October 1; the application may be no more than 24 months after rehabilitation began. The Assessor forwards it to Bellingham’s Planning Division, which may request the listed documents.
About notarization
The application itself is signed and dated without a notary, but the required documentation includes a notarized affidavit about the work period and rehabilitation costs.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download The Application
Download the Special Valuation application and review its process and eligibility checklist.
- 2
Complete The Form
Provide the project and applicant information and complete the checklist and rehabilitation cost calculations.
- 3
Gather Required Documents
Gather the listed historic-property records, notarized affidavit, drawings, photographs with a key plan, and application fee.
- 4
Apply To The Assessor
Apply to the Whatcom County Assessor before October 1 and within 24 months after rehabilitation began.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a notary for the Special Valuation application?
- No notary is required for the application signature. However, the required supporting documentation includes a notarized affidavit about when the work was performed and its actual rehabilitation cost.
- How do I submit the Special Valuation application?
- Apply to the Whatcom County Assessor before October 1 and within 24 months after rehabilitation began. The Assessor forwards the application to Bellingham’s Planning Division.
- What documents does the application checklist request?
- The checklist requests a legal description, historic-register or district documentation, rehabilitation cost documentation and a notarized affidavit, drawings, photographs with a key plan, and an application fee.
- Who may apply for Special Valuation?
- The document describes a process for property owners whose historic building is listed on a local or national historic register or contributes to a historic district and has been rehabilitated.
Need something notarized?
This Special Valuation Application doesn’t need a notary — but if you have another Bellingham form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.