Bird-Safe Design Standards - London Bylaw Guide

In London, Ontario, developers, architects and builders must consider bird-safe design early in project planning to reduce collisions and comply with applicable laws and municipal requirements. This guide summarizes practical design measures, approvals to check with Planning and Building Services, enforcement pathways, and how to document compliance for new developments and major renovations. Apply these steps during schematic design, permit applications, and site inspections to protect migratory and resident birds while avoiding project delays.

Design standards and recommended measures

While London does not currently publish a standalone municipal bird-safe bylaw, developers should apply proven, evidence-based measures during façade and glazing design, landscape planning, and exterior lighting to minimize bird strikes and habitat disruption.

• Use fritted, patterned or screen-protected glazing at high-collision façades and near vegetation.
• Specify visible, high-contrast patterns at regular intervals to break glass reflectivity.
• Avoid large uninterrupted expanses of reflective glass facing green space or water.
• Coordinate landscaping to limit attractive perch or foraging zones immediately adjacent to glazed areas.
• Incorporate bird-safe measures into project cost estimates and maintenance plans.

Integration with municipal approvals

Integrate bird-safe measures into site plans, elevations and the stormwater and landscaping sections of permit submissions. Flag measures in the design brief and in any urban design or site plan control applications so planners and reviewers can assess them during pre-application consultations.

Applications & Forms

There is no dedicated city form for bird-safe design; include measures in site plan, building permit and landscape submission documents or in a separate bird-safety memo submitted with applications.

Penalties & Enforcement

Responsibility for bylaw compliance falls to City of London By-law Enforcement and to Planning and Building Services for permit conditions. To report non-compliance, use the city complaint/report pathway referenced below ^[1]. Developers should also ensure compliance with federal legislation protecting migratory birds, including the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 ^[2].

Fine amounts, daily penalties, escalation rules and specific non-monetary sanctions for bird-related offences are not specified on the cited municipal pages; where municipal penalties apply they are established in the relevant bylaw or through permit conditions and orders, and may be accompanied by court action.

• Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
• Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
• Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remedy, stop-work orders, permit suspensions or court action may be available where bylaw or permit conditions are breached.
• Enforcer: City of London By-law Enforcement and Planning and Building Services; use official complaint/report channel to initiate inspection ^[1].
• Federal obligations: Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 protects many species from disturbance or destruction; consult federal guidance for possible enforcement or exemptions ^[2].

Applications & Forms

• No dedicated bird-safety application is published by the city; include bird-safety details in site plan and building permit submissions.
• If a permit condition is imposed, documentation, inspection checklists or monitoring reports may be required as part of occupancy conditions.

Implementation steps for developers

Follow clear, documented steps to incorporate bird-safe design into project delivery and to demonstrate compliance during municipal reviews and inspections.

1. Early design review: identify high-risk façades and landscape adjacency in schematic design.
2. Document measures in plans and in a bird-safety memo attached to permit and site plan submissions.
3. Specify materials, frit patterns or external screens in construction documents and warranty/maintenance schedules.
4. Arrange inspections and monitoring during commissioning; keep collision records and remedial actions on file.

FAQ

Do London building permits require bird-safe glazing?

Not currently as a standalone mandatory item; include bird-safe measures in permit documents where relevant and consult Planning Services for site plan conditions.

Who enforces bird protection rules in the city?

City of London By-law Enforcement and Planning and Building Services enforce municipal permit conditions; federal authorities enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act for protected species.

Are there provincial exemptions or approvals I must obtain?

Provincial species-at-risk rules may apply depending on species and site; consult provincial guidance and include assessments if development affects known habitat.

How-To

1. Assess risk: map bird habitat, corridors and glare-prone façades on the project site.
2. Design: select glazing treatments, screens, or setbacks and document them in plans and specifications.
3. Submit: include bird-safety memo with site plan or building permit applications and request pre-application feedback.
4. Implement and monitor: install measures per specifications, record collisions, and adapt maintenance if issues persist.

Key Takeaways

• Integrate bird-safe strategies early to reduce retrofit costs and permit delays.
• Document measures in permit submissions and keep monitoring records for inspections.
• Enforcement involves municipal bylaw officers and federal protections for migratory species.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of London - Report a Concern / By-law Enforcement
• City of London - Planning & Development
• City of London - Building Permits