Long Beach Bird-Safe Building Standards for Developers

Environmental Protection California 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

Long Beach, California requires developers and designers to consider bird-safe design strategies when building near avian migration routes and urban habitat. This guide explains where guidance and code references exist, typical compliance steps during design and permitting, enforcement pathways, and practical measures such as glazing treatments, lighting reductions, and plant selection to reduce collisions. Use this as a checklist for project teams preparing plans, permit applications, and environmental review documents in Long Beach.

Overview of Standards and Applicability

The City of Long Beach does not currently publish a stand-alone municipal ordinance titled "bird-safe building" in the consolidated municipal code; relevant requirements are most commonly implemented through design review, landscape and lighting conditions, and building permit conditions administered by the Planning and Building Department and Code Enforcement.[1] Projects near sensitive habitat or subject to discretionary review may receive bird-safety conditions during environmental review or design approval.[2]

Integrate bird-friendly glazing and lighting early to avoid redesign delays.

Design Best Practices

  • Use patterned or fritted glass where large expanses of glazing face green space or reflective water.
  • Limit nighttime exterior lighting and use shielded, downward-directed fixtures.
  • Landscape with native plants placed to avoid creating attractive perching immediately adjacent to large glass surfaces.
  • Include bird-safety measures in construction documents and specifications so they are enforceable at inspection.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of bird-safety conditions in Long Beach is handled through the City departments that issue project approvals—primarily the Planning and Building Department and Code Enforcement. Specific monetary fines or a dedicated bird-safe penalty schedule are not specified on the cited municipal code or department pages; enforcement typically occurs by conditions on permits, stop-work orders, or corrective compliance notices issued through code enforcement channels.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence details: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: permit conditions, stop-work orders, correction notices, and required remedial measures may be used.
  • Enforcer: Long Beach Planning and Building Department and Code Enforcement; inspections are tied to permit inspections and complaint investigations.[2]
  • Appeals and review: permit and code enforcement decisions follow the City's permit appeal procedures; official time limits for appeals are set in permit notices or code sections and should be checked on the decision notice or with the issuing department (not specified on the cited page).

Applications & Forms

The City does not publish a dedicated "bird-safe building" application form; compliance is usually documented within project permit applications and plan sets submitted to Development Services (building permits, design review or conditional use permits). For building permits and plan submittals use the standard Development Services permit portal and check project-specific plan checklists.[2]

If in doubt, include a dedicated bird-safety note and glazing schedule in the permit documents.

How-To

  1. At concept design, document potential bird collision risks and proposed mitigation in project narratives and plan sheets.
  2. Specify bird-friendly glazing, frit patterns, or film, and show fixture cut sheets for exterior lighting that demonstrate shielding and downward illumination.
  3. Include bird-safety measures as permit conditions and coordinate with plan check to ensure they appear on approved drawings.
  4. During construction, ensure inspectors verify installation matches approved bird-safety details; address any nonconformance promptly.
  5. If collisions or habitat impacts occur, report to Long Beach Code Enforcement or the Planning Department via the official complaint/contact channels.

FAQ

Do Long Beach building codes require bird-safe glass?
No single municipal code section titled "bird-safe glass" is published; bird-safety measures are applied via permit conditions, design review, and plan checks as relevant to each project.[1]
Who enforces bird-safety conditions?
The Planning and Building Department and Code Enforcement enforce permit conditions and correct noncompliance; contact details are available on official department pages.[2]
Are there fines for noncompliance?
Monetary fine amounts specific to bird-safety are not specified on the cited pages; enforcement typically uses corrective notices or permit remedies.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Plan for bird-friendly glazing and lighting early to avoid permit delays.
  • Document measures on permit drawings so they are enforceable at inspection.
  • Use official Planning and Code Enforcement contacts for complaints and clarification.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Long Beach, Code of Ordinances - Municode
  2. [2] City of Long Beach, Planning Division

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data