Chick-fil-A Nears Approval for New Bellingham Location at Cordata Parkway

By Fernando Gonzalez, BMN Editor-in-Chief. – Published on May 11, 2025

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A new Chick-fil-A restaurant is one step closer to opening its doors in Bellingham, with city permit records confirming the project is in the final stages of review for construction at 4030 Cordata Parkway.

According to the City of Bellingham’s online permit portal, the project (BLD2025-0098) is currently on “RTI Hold,” meaning it is “Ready to Issue” pending final administrative steps such as fee payments, contractor confirmation, and submission of compliance documents. Approved building plans and a draft conservation easement for Cordata Parkway are already on file with the city.

Construction documents, filed under the architectural leadership of Ware Malcomb and a broad team of national contractors, outline a full-service fast food restaurant with drive-thru service and parking infrastructure. The permit review included hundreds of pages of architectural, civil, and structural planning, spanning everything from stormwater drainage and utility plans to kitchen layouts and ADA compliance.

As of May 2025, the total fees tied to the project have reached $529,817.73, with the largest share—over $406,000—going toward Bellingham’s Traffic Impact Fee (TIF). The complete breakdown is as follows:

• Traffic Impact Fee: $406,453.66
• Sewer System Development Charge: $38,185.00
• Water System Development Charge: $34,440.00
• Water Main/Fire Line: $9,420.00
• Water Utility Connection: $5,180.00
• Stormwater Development Charge (Land Disturbance): $28,196.37
• Stormwater Permits: $2,952.00
• Building Permit Fee: $4,254.70
• Building Inspections: $107.00
• Utility Inspections: $340.00
• Utility Turn On/Off Fee: $50.00
• State Building Code Council Fee (SBCC): $25.00
• Plan Review Fee: $214.00

The site, located near the intersection of West Bakerview Road and Cordata Parkway, is designed for a single-story restaurant with outdoor seating, accessible facilities, and modern amenities consistent with the brand’s latest standards. The project is being coordinated by a team including Barghausen Engineers (Kent, WA), Wright Engineers (Irvine, CA), and FCC Commercial Furniture (Roseburg, OR), among others.

This will mark Chick-fil-A’s first Bellingham location, though the brand operates several restaurants across Washington State, including recent additions in Everett and Marysville.

This information was gathered by Bellingham Metro News utilizing City records available via eTrakit, the City of Bellingham development records portal.

Stay with Bellingham Metro News for updates as the permit process wraps up and construction begins.