At least a million birds collide with glass surfaces across the U.S. every day. One of the simplest and most effective solutions to this problem out there is bird strike window film. This product isn’t just a nice-to-have solution for eco-conscious construction—it’s also a necessity in some instances to comply with local or statewide mandates.
Keep reading to see whether your state currently has any bird strike mitigation regulations on the books. Even if you don’t see your state listed or don’t see a law that applies to your local region, keep in mind that new regulations could be in the works as awareness is growing around this issue.
Jump to your State:
California
California typically leads the nation in environmental regulations, and that’s no different when it comes to bird-friendly protections. The California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11 is known as the Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). It’s the first mandatory green building standards code in the U.S. and applies statewide.
Section A5.107 of CALGreen specifies that at least 90 percent of a building elevation must incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies.
Many individual municipalities in the Golden State also have regulations that call for bird-friendly mitigation strategies, including:
- Alameda
- Berkley
- Emeryville
- Menlo Park
- Mountain View
- Oakland
- Richmond
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Santa Cruz
- Sunnyvale
Illinois
In Illinois, all state buildings must meet bird-safety standards outlined in Bird-Safe State Buildings Bill HB0247. Among other requirements, the bill specifies that at least 90 percent of a building’s facade from ground level to 40 feet and at least 60 percent of any facade above 40 feet must either not be glass or must employ elements to protect birds, such as patterned designs or opaque, etched, stained, frosted, or translucent glass.
Illinois also includes bird-friendly regulations for several localities, including:
- Chicago
- Cook County
- Evanston
- Highland Park
Maine
In Maine, the law to be aware of is LD670: An Act to Protect Birds in the Construction, Renovation and Maintenance of Public Buildings. Currently, the law requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, to develop specific guidance on bird collision risk management by the end of 2024.
Maryland
In Maryland, The Maryland Sustainable Buildings Act of 2023 calls for the Department of General Services to establish and routinely update standards that apply to all state buildings to minimize adverse impacts on birds.
Howard County also has its own mandatory bird-friendly design law, which applies to all new construction of privately owned buildings.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, state-funded building projects must follow the extensive Bird-Safe Building Guidelines outlined in the Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) program. This program was developed by the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research to promote environmentally responsible and energy-efficient buildings.
Additionally, the city of Minneapolis has a code that applies specifically to skyways, which can pose a significant risk to birds if not equipped with bird strike window film.
New York
The Bird-Friendly Building Council Act (Bill S4204A) is a proposal to establish a council to promote the use of bird-friendly building materials and design features in buildings and to research the issue of bird collisions further. Since this act hasn’t been passed into law, it doesn’t currently apply to building owners or new construction; however, it’s smart to prepare for it now.
New York City also has its own local law that requires bird-friendly building materials for newly constructed or altered buildings, known as Local Law 15 of 2020.
Oregon
There is no statewide law in Oregon to minimize bird collisions, but the city of Portland does have a regulation in place that applies to all new buildings in the Central City Plan District: Portland Zoning Code section 33.510.223. The law is accompanied by a list of window glazing treatments that can meet the law’s requirements and help protect wildlife in this urban area.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Sustainability Guidelines for Capital Projects includes a section on bird collision deterrence. This law applies statewide to buildings with facades that are more than 20 percent glass. Lower stories must incorporate bird-deterrent strategies as specified by the guidelines.
Madison, Wisconsin, has its own requirement that applies to all structures above 10,000 sq. ft., sky-bridges, and at-grade glass features. All of these structures require bird-strike-deterrent strategies.
Comply with Relevant Regulations and Protect Wildlife with Bird Strike Window Film
Whether or not there is a bird collision law that applies to your state or locality, Feather-Friendly window film is worth considering. This product can help you comply with current and potential future regulations, protect local wildlife, and demonstrate your commitment to a more eco-friendly facility.
Ready to take steps toward a more bird-friendly facility? Explore FeatherFriendly Window Film from NGS!
