Portland, OR Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Facade with 30%+ glazing, first 60 ft
- Compliance level
- 90% of covered glazing must qualify
- Applies to
- New buildings & major remodels only
- Exempt
- Houses, ADUs, duplexes, historic landmarks
- Enforced by
- Portland Permitting & Development
Summary
Portland requires bird-safe glass on new buildings and major remodels in the Central City and South Reach areas to cut bird-to-building collisions, under Title 33 zoning standards.
The bird-safe glazing standards are intended to reduce the risk of bird-to-building collisions. The standards reduce the transparency, or reflectivity, of exterior windows and other glazed surfaces... The bird-safe glazing standards apply to new buildings and major remodeling projects. For new buildings, the standards apply per facade when the facade has 30 percent or more glazing... within the first 60 feet measured from the grade adjacent to the facade.
Full Breakdown
Portland Permitting & Development enforces bird-safe exterior glazing standards on new buildings and major remodeling projects in the Central City Plan District (and separately in the South Reach). Where a facade has 30%+ glazing in its first 60 feet, or major remodels alter 75%+ of such a facade, at least 90% of the glazing in the covered zones must use a treatment pattern from the Portland Bird Safe Windows List. Houses, ADUs, duplexes, and historic landmarks are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Title 33 provision, including this standard, is unlawful under 33.700.030; PP&D issues written notice of violation and enforces under City Code Chapter 3.30 and Title 22, which can include civil penalties and required correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portland require bird-safe glass on all buildings?
What counts as bird-safe glazing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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