SFR, Not more than 3 unrelated persons, Bellingham, WA

[Aron Vesper]

Hey Bellingham Investors,

Has anyone ran into the Bellingham Municipal Code 20.08.020.F that states a lawful situation for residence zoned as a single-family as "One or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or not more than 3 unrelated persons, living together within a single dwelling unit."? It looks like this is going to start being enforced this year.

I am looking at making my first real estate investment purchase this year. I was looking at a 5+ bedroom SFR near WWU and renting it out to students. However, I stumbled upon the municipal code above. Is there an exception to this code or will 5+ bedroom SFRs in Bellingham significantly lose their value when this is enforced?