Burnaby Bird-Safe Design Guidelines - City Bylaw

Environmental Protection British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Burnaby, British Columbia projects that include glazing, lighting, or landscape changes should follow bird-safe design principles to reduce collisions and protect migratory and resident bird species. This article summarizes typical guideline measures, implementation steps for developers and designers, and how municipal planning and building processes in Burnaby interact with bird-safe expectations.

Scope & Overview

The bird-safe design approach aims to minimise bird collisions by addressing glass treatments, building orientation, façade patterns, external screens, and night-time lighting. These measures are applied during design review, permitting, and construction phases and are recommended for new developments, major renovations, and significant façade retrofits.

Early coordination with planning and building staff reduces permit delays.

Design Measures and Best Practices

  • Use patterned or fritted glass, applied films, or external screens to break up clear reflections on large glazed areas.
  • Orient glazing and site landscaping to reduce reflected habitat and sightlines that attract birds to glass surfaces.
  • Implement fixtures and controls that reduce night-time illumination during migration periods and use full cut-off lenses for exterior lighting.
  • Specify visual markers spaced to recognised standards (for example, patterns with spacing no greater than 5 cm vertical or 10 cm horizontal where applicable).
  • Prioritise retrofit options on high-risk façades identified during site or ecological assessments.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for bird-safe design depends on how the guidelines are integrated into municipal approvals. Where bird-safe measures are referenced in planning approvals, building permits, or development agreements, compliance may be enforced through the City of Burnaby planning and building permit processes and by-law enforcement. Specific monetary fines and escalation steps are not consistently detailed in the guideline documents and therefore are not specified on the cited pages.

If bird-safe measures are conditions of permit approval, failing to comply can delay occupancy or trigger remedial orders.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges: not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remediation orders, stop-work notices, withholding of occupancy permits, or legal action via provincial courts (where applied under applicable bylaws).
  • Enforcer: City of Burnaby Planning and Building Departments and By-law Enforcement for compliance and inspection pathways.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: submit concerns or request inspections via city planning, building permit enquiries, or by-law complaint contacts listed in Resources.
  • Appeals/review: where permit conditions are imposed, appeal or review routes follow the City of Burnaby planning and permitting dispute procedures; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

  • Building permit application and checklists: see the City of Burnaby building permits and application forms for submission requirements; specific bird-safe application forms are not separately published on the guideline pages.
  • Deadlines and review timing: permit review timelines follow standard planning and building processes; specific bird-safe review timelines are not specified on guideline pages.
Include bird-safe details in permit-ready drawings and the project spec to avoid review delays.

FAQ

Who must follow bird-safe design guidance in Burnaby?
Designers and developers of new buildings and major renovations are advised to follow the guidelines; applicability may be applied during planning or permitting reviews depending on project type and site context.
Are bird-safe measures mandatory?
Bird-safe design guidance is typically advisory unless adopted as a permit condition, development agreement, or referenced in zoning or design approvals.
How do I report non-compliance or bird-collision hotspots?
Report concerns through the City of Burnaby planning, building, or by-law complaint channels listed in Resources.
Where can I get technical specifications for glass fritting or films?
Technical product specifications are provided by manufacturers and can be included in contract documents; the city guidelines recommend proven patterns and spacing but do not publish product lists.

How-To

  1. Perform an initial site and façade risk assessment during concept design to identify high-risk glazing and lighting locations.
  2. Incorporate bird-safe treatments into design drawings: fritted glass, applied markers, external screens, or reduced glazing where feasible.
  3. Document bird-safe measures in the permit application and construction specifications.
  4. Coordinate with City of Burnaby planning and building reviewers during the application process to confirm conditions.
  5. Implement monitoring or post-construction assessment if required by permit conditions and respond to any remedial directions.

Key Takeaways

  • Early design-stage action prevents costly retrofits and permit conditions.
  • Practical fixes include fritted glass, external screens, and controlled lighting.
  • Include bird-safe treatments in permit documents to streamline approvals.

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