Spokane Bird-Safe Building Design Ordinance
Spokane, Washington projects that affect building facades and glazing should consider bird-safe design to reduce collisions and preserve migratory species. This guide summarizes official City of Spokane planning guidance and points designers to the municipal project review process, with practical compliance steps and enforcement contacts. For project-level requirements and design review pathways see the City of Spokane Planning & Development Services page.[1]
Overview of Bird-Safe Design Expectations
Many bird-safe design practices focus on reducing reflective and transparent glass hazards, using patterned glazing, external screens, or setbacks for landscaping. Spokane presently publishes guidance through planning and project review rather than a single codified chapter; where specific standards apply they are enforced during design review and building permit issuance.
Penalties & Enforcement
The Spokane planning and building review framework governs design review and permit conditions; specific monetary fines for bird-collision mitigation noncompliance are not stated on the cited planning page. Where standards are imposed as permit conditions, typical enforcement tools include stop-work notices, permit holds, and correction orders.
- Enforcer: Planning & Development Services and Building Services during plan review and inspection.
- Inspection: Compliance checked at plan review and at building inspections; follow-up inspections for noncompliance.
- Fines: Specific dollar amounts are not specified on the cited page.
- Appeals: Permit decisions and enforcement actions can be appealed per standard city permit appeal procedures; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: Stop-work orders, permit suspension, required remediation or retrofits, and referral to code compliance or the legal department.
Applications & Forms
The City does not publish a dedicated "bird-safe" permit form on the cited planning page; bird-safety measures are typically addressed within building permit applications, design review submittals, or via conditions of approval. Specific form names, fees, and submission instructions were not specified on the cited page.
Design and Compliance Best Practices
- Use patterned or fritted glazing to break up reflections on large glass expanses.
- Specify external screens, louvers, or architectural elements that reduce reflectivity on facades facing vegetation.
- Integrate bird-safe strategies early in schematic design to avoid costly revisions during permit review.
- Document materials and mock-ups in plan submittals to show compliance with any design-review conditions.
Common Violations
- Transparent corridors or glazed façades without mitigation.
- Retrofits omitted after conditioned approvals.
- Failure to submit required glazing details in plan review.
FAQ
- Does Spokane have a city ordinance that mandates bird-safe glazing?
- Spokane publishes design guidance through planning and project review; a single mandatory city ordinance specifically titled for bird-safe glazing is not specified on the cited planning page.
- Who enforces bird-safe requirements for new buildings?
- Planning & Development Services and Building Services enforce design-review conditions and building permit requirements during review and inspection.
- How do I request an interpretation or appeal a permit condition?
- Follow the City of Spokane permit appeal and interpretation procedures; specific time limits and steps are provided in the permit decision notice or are available through Planning & Development Services.
How-To
- Confirm whether your project requires design review during pre-application by contacting Planning & Development Services.
- Include bird-safe glazing details, material samples, and elevations in permit and design-review submittals.
- Respond to plan-review comments promptly and provide photos or mock-ups if requested by reviewers.
- If a condition is imposed, document completion before final inspection to avoid stop-work orders or holds.
Key Takeaways
- Integrate bird-safe measures in early design to minimize permit delays.
- Document compliance thoroughly in permit submittals and inspections.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Spokane Planning & Development Services
- City of Spokane Building Services
- Spokane Municipal Code (Municode)
- City of Spokane Contact & Customer Service