​​​​​​Volunteer boards, commissions, committees, and task forces serve our community by advising policy makers and providing essential support to city programs and activities. City advisory groups are required by the City Charter or City Ordinance. Members are appointed by the Mayor, sometimes requiring City Council approval. Most are advisory to the Mayor and/or City Council.  ​

• Current Boards & Commissions Vacancy List (PDF)
• Boards and Commissions Application Process

Boards and Commissions

At this time meetings are being held remotely, as in-person attendance at meetings is not allowed at this time.

Details about each advisory group, including its mission and responsibilities, meeting schedule, and other information can be found below:

• Planning and Community Development Boards and Commissions:
• Arts Commission
• Community Development Advisory Board
• Design Review Board
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Planning and Development Commission
• Shoreline Committee
• Tourism Commission
• Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees
• Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District​
  
• Bellingham / Whatcom Commission Against Domestic Violence
• Civil Service Commission
  
• Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG)
• EMS Oversight Board​
• EMS Technical Advisory Board
• Greenway Advisory Committee
• Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
  
• Immigration Advisory Board​
  
• Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board
• Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission
• Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
• Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors
• Sister Cities Advisory Board
• Transportation Commission
• ​Whatcom Museum Foundation Board
• ​WHAT-COMM Administrative Board

Limited-Duration Task Forces

• Climate Action Plan Task Force​
• Community Solutions Workgroups
• Fairhaven Parking Task Force
• Countywide Housing Affordability Task Force
• Energy Task Force