Bird Protection: Boston vs New York
How do bird protection rules compare between Boston, MA and New York, NY?
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
No data available yet for Boston.
New York, NY
New York County
Native birds in New York City are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law §11-0535. NYC Local Law 15 of 2020 added bird-safe glass requirements to the city Building Code. Killing or disturbing protected birds or active nests is illegal.
View full New York rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Federal law | - | Migratory Bird Treaty Act |
| State law | - | ECL §11-0535 |
| Bird-safe glass | - | NYC Local Law 15 (2020) |
| Building Code | - | §1403 lower-story glazing |
| Volunteer rescue | - | Wild Bird Fund |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
No FAQs available.
New York FAQ
Can I remove a bird nest from my building?
Not if it is an active nest of any MBTA-protected species, which covers nearly every native songbird. Wait until the nest is empty and inactive, or apply for a federal depredation permit through the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Does Local Law 15 apply to existing buildings?
It applies to new construction and major envelope renovations, requiring bird-friendly glass on the first seventy-five feet of facade and adjacent to green roofs. Existing buildings are encouraged but not required to retrofit.
Compare other topics
See how Boston and New York compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool