Business owners can reach out to Bellingham Police Department Community Service Officers (CSOs) at cso@cob.org to request a trespass authorization letter.

• A trespass authorization letter will be emailed to the business owner.

• The business owner emails the completed and signed letter back to the CSOs.

• A case number is generated and the CSOs will complete a police report based on the trespass authorization letter.

• The case number is printed onto one of the ‘Conditions of Entry’ window cling and will be delivered to the business.

If you already requested trespass authorization in 2024 or 2025, you do not need to make another request for a trespass authorization letter and conditions of entry window cling. Our CSOs have a list of those entities and will proactively provide a window cling with your existing case number.

If businesses or property owners need an additional window cling, they may contact the CSOs and request one more.

No. The businesses of the Downtown Business Partnership are early adopters of the ‘Condition of Entry’ window cling program.  Any business or property owner can fill out an authorization to trespass form and submit it to the Bellingham Police Department.  We will give the business or property owner a window cling to display based on the submission of the letter.

Examples can include disorderly conduct, harassing staff or other customers, open drug use, loitering, any law violation, unauthorized camping, littering, etc. 

It allows officers to issue a notice of trespass to any person violating the conditions of entry or laws at the private property specifically listed on the authorization to trespass letter.  It does not include public right-of-way, like the sidewalk or alley.  For example, officers cannot issue a notice of trespass to a person on the sidewalk in front of the business but are able to if the person is in the alcove, inside the building or the outdoor eating space.

The program is entirely voluntary. The “Conditions of Entry’ window clings allow officers to easily reference the owner has provided authorization to BPD Officers to issue a notice of trespass to a person displaying unwanted behavior or violating the law.  This is especially useful when the business is closed.  Without a sticker, officers would have to track down the appropriate person with authority (business owner or manager, for example) prior to issuing a notice of trespass. 

Ideally, the window cling would be on display at all times, but definitely during the hours the business is closed.  It is a static cling, so it can be taken on and off a window. As with most window clings, the more it is moved, the less effective it is. 

Community Service Officers are civilian employees of the police department. The CSOs are responsible for assisting police department personnel with law enforcement-related tasks which do not require the authority of a sworn, commissioned officer.  Their primary responsibilities are reviewing and processing online reports, assisting patrol officers with impounding property, handling calls such as found property or stolen bicycles, community events such as bike registrations and various other tasks in support of patrol operations.  

The window cling should be in a place where it can be visible to a person driving or walking past the location, like an upper corner of a window.

The trespass authorization letter is good for a maximum of five (5) years unless otherwise specified by the business or property owner or until the property or business changes hands. When the authorization is expired, another trespass authorization form must be filled out and submitted to cso@cob.org.