Birds, Buildings, and Budgets: Understanding D.C.’s New Bird-Friendly Building Act
As an environmental enthusiast, I fully embrace the panoramic views and expansive glass that define our buildings. As occupants, we genuinely enjoy the interaction of interior and exterior worlds—allowing light, views, and the occasional breeze to become part of the spaces we inhabit. As designers, we understand the psychological benefits this connection provides.
My love for this harmony through thoughtful design is why I now represent Pella, where I get to help architects and designers bring those connections to life. Yet, as beautiful as these transparent vistas are, they come at a cost.
Large expanses of glass, while stunning, pose a serious threat to birds. Each year in the US, billions of birds collide with windows, mistaking reflections of the sky or surrounding vegetation for open space. These collisions have far-reaching consequences: birds play essential roles in pollination, seed dispersal, pest control, and maintaining ecosystem health. Losing them disrupts the delicate balance that sustains our environment.
WHAT THE ACT ACTUALLY SAYS
For building permits issued after October 1, 2024, new construction—and certain renovations—in D.C. must use bird-friendly materials for façades up to 100 feet above grade. This includes:
New commercial buildings, multi-unit residential projects, institutional facilities, and District-owned or operated buildings.
Alterations where all or substantially all exterior glazing is replaced.
Essentially, if your project has glass [and a permit] you’ll need to make sure that glass meets the new bird-friendly standards. However, there is a bit of nuance. For example:
Historic landmarks are exempt, and buildings within historic districts may qualify for waivers if compliance would “meaningfully alter their historic features.”
All fly-through conditions, such as glazed corners or parallel glass walls, as well as green roof adjacencies must also use bird-friendly materials, even above that 100-foot mark.
WHY 100 FEET MATTERS
Most bird collisions occur within the first 100 feet above the ground, where birds fly between trees, light poles, and urban greenery. That’s why the regulation caps bird-friendly requirements at this height—ensuring protection where it’s needed most without requiring a full façade overhaul for every structure.
Source: https://hga.com/projects/westwood-hills-nature-center
LET’S TALK ABOUT COST
Here’s where the glass gets less transparent. Bird-friendly glazing isn’t free, and depending on the specification, it can be quite the added cost. On average, you can expect an additional $100 to $300 per square foot of glass compared to standard glazing, plus the original cost of the window itself. However, that number varies based on:
Glass size and type (tempered, laminated, coated, etc.) and
Pattern method (etched, fritted, UV pattern, or applied film)
While that might seem like a steep increase, these façade enhancements can contribute toward LEED certification and open new avenues for creative design. Bird-friendly glass doesn’t have to compromise aesthetics — it can elevate them. From subtle UV-reflective patterns invisible to the human eye to artistic ceramic frits that add texture and depth, manufacturers like Pella, in partnership with Viracon and FeatherFriendly™, offer a range of solutions that balance compliance, design intent, and budget. After all, if the client can’t afford the windows, the project doesn’t get built—and nobody wins.
The key is to budget early. Knowing that this added cost is coming helps avoid sticker shock later — and ensures your project team can balance aesthetics, performance, and compliance right from schematic design.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR ARCHITECTS AND DEVELOPERS
Here’s what you’ll want to consider moving forward:
Early collaboration – Involve your glazing consultants, manufacturers, and reps early in design to confirm that your selected glass meets D.C.’s bird-friendly criteria.
Material transparency – Be sure your specifications clearly identify the visual marker spacing or pattern density [typically 2" x 4” spacing].
Performance pairing – Bird-safe glass can also be high-performing for energy efficiency, so pairing solar control coatings or low-E layers can help offset costs.
Documentation – As of October 2024, the Department of Buildings will expect clear documentation proving compliance, so build this into your permit submittals and architectural specs.
LOOKING AHEAD: D.C. AS A DESIGN LEADER
D.C. isn’t the first city to pass bird-friendly building legislation, but it’s certainly one of the most architecturally influential to do so. As federal projects, mixed-use developments, and academic facilities continue to rise across the region, this act is already starting to shape façade design standards far beyond the District’s borders.
And in a city already steeped in sustainability and preservation goals, the Bird-Friendly Building Act is a natural evolution. So, whether you’re drafting elevations or discussing fenestration configurations in your next project meeting, consider this act not as a restriction, but as an invitation to innovate. Because in D.C., the next great design challenge isn’t just about skyline views — it’s about who sees them safely.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you’re working on a project and want help navigating bird-friendly glass options — or just want to talk through design implications and specification language — I’m happy to help. After all, protecting the skyline [and the sparrows] is a team effort.