Calgary bird-safe building bylaw checklist

Environmental Protection Alberta 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Alberta

Calgary, Alberta projects can reduce bird collisions by applying bird-safe glazing, lighting and site design early in the development process. This checklist explains how municipal policy and the Land Use Bylaw interact with planning approvals, building permits and compliance pathways so design teams and applicants can include bird-safe measures from schematic design through occupancy.

Integrate bird-safe measures at schematic design to avoid later permit changes.

Design checklist for new projects

  • Assess façade glazing: minimize large uninterrupted sheets of clear glass and specify frits, patterns, or external screens where risk is high.
  • Specify visual cues: use high-contrast visible markers, spacing patterns or angled glass to make glass visible to birds.
  • Coordinate landscaping: avoid planting dense shrubs and trees directly adjacent to highly reflective glass where migratory paths occur.
  • Detail building edges and terraces: reduce reflective surfaces and provide safe flight corridors past the building.
  • Budget for treatments: include costs for fritted or laminated glass, external screens, or other mitigation in the project budget.

Penalties & Enforcement

Calgary enforces land-use and building regulations through Planning & Development and Bylaw & Regulatory Services. Specific monetary penalties for bird-safe design noncompliance are not specified on the cited page; enforcement is typically managed through permit conditions, stop-work orders or compliance notices rather than a dedicated bird-safety fine.[1]

  • Enforcer: Planning & Development (development approvals) and Bylaw & Regulatory Services for bylaw compliance and complaints.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: complaints about construction or bylaw breaches are submitted to Bylaw & Regulatory Services.
  • Appeals and review: appeals for development permit or bylaw orders follow the procedures in the permitting and bylaw pages; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, compliance orders, permit revocation, and referral to court are the typical enforcement tools.

Applications & Forms

  • Development permit application: required when proposed facade or site changes trigger development approval; fees and submission instructions are on the city planning pages.
  • Building permit: required for glazing assembly changes or structural works; see the building permit application for documentation and submission method.
  • Fees: project-specific; fee schedules are published on the City of Calgary permit pages and may vary by application type.
If no specific bird-safety form exists, include mitigation measures in the design submission and supporting reports.

Common violations

  • Failure to disclose high-risk glazing in the development permit application.
  • Installing unapproved glass treatments after permit approval without amendment.
  • Ignoring compliance orders or stop-work notices related to façade works.

FAQ

Do Calgary bylaws require bird-safe glass on all new buildings?
Not universally; specific requirements depend on development permit conditions, site context and applicable land-use rules. Check permit conditions and discuss mitigation with Planning & Development.
Who inspects and enforces bird-safety measures?
Planning & Development enforces permit conditions and Bylaw & Regulatory Services handles bylaw complaints and compliance actions.
Where do I submit complaints about construction that threatens birds?
Submit a service request or complaint to Bylaw & Regulatory Services through the City of Calgary complaint portal or contact Planning & Development for permit issues.

How-To

  1. During concept design, identify high-risk façades and document proposed glazing and mitigation measures.
  2. Include bird-safety strategies in permit drawings and the design brief submitted with the development permit application.
  3. Engage with City planning staff early at pre-application meetings to confirm expectations and permit triggers.
  4. Specify products and patterns (manufacturer data) in contract documents and review submittals for compliance at shop-drawing stage.
  5. At construction, keep records of installed glazing and mitigation; respond promptly to any compliance notices.
  6. Post-occupancy, monitor and log collisions if requested by the city or environmental partners and amend measures if issues persist.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan bird-safe measures early to avoid permit changes and extra costs.
  • Document mitigation in permit submissions and during contractor review.
  • Contact Planning & Development and Bylaw & Regulatory Services for guidance and complaints.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007

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