Bird-Friendly Window Film: Meet Local Laws & Stop Collisions (NYC, SF & Beyond)

JO Staats, Inc
Oct 1
3 min read

Every year in the U.S., up to 1 billion birds die from window collisions. To a bird, clear or reflective glass looks like open sky - or the reflection of a safe tree. For schools, offices, and multifamily buildings, this invisible danger is now a legal responsibility in many cities.

Enter bird-friendly window film: a practical retrofit solution that prevents collisions, meets local laws, and preserves natural light.

Snapshot

Why it matters: Window collisions are one of the leading causes of bird deaths.
Where laws apply: Cities like New York (LL15) and San Francisco already mandate bird-safe façades.
How film helps: Retrofits existing glass with visible markers in patterns birds can see.

The Problem: Glass Is Deadly for Birds

Birds can’t perceive glass the way humans do. Instead, they see:

Reflections of trees or sky that look like safe flight paths.
Clear glass corridors they assume they can fly through.

The result: high-speed collisions, often fatal. Large glazed buildings, skywalks, and even school atriums are especially hazardous.

Local Laws You Need to Know

New York City – Local Law 15

Effective since 2021, LL15 requires new buildings and major renovations to incorporate bird-friendly materials:

First 75 feet of a façade must use patterned or treated glazing.
Glass with markers spaced at 2x2 inches or less is required for compliance.

San Francisco – Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings (Planning Code Sec. 139)

San Francisco mandates bird-safe treatments for:

Specific hazard areas like green roofs, atriums, and glass corners.
Solutions must reduce the “threat factor” as defined by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC).

Other Cities on the Move

Oakland, Washington D.C., Toronto, and more are adding bird-friendly standards.
Expect adoption to spread in 2025 as sustainability and wildlife protection merge with building performance codes.

How Bird-Friendly Window Film Works

Unlike new glass with frit or etching, window film can be applied to existing glazing:

Visible patterns: Dots, stripes, or other markers applied at safe intervals (2x2 or 2x4 inches).
UV-reflective films: Invisible to humans but visible to birds.
Retrofit flexibility: Can be applied selectively (e.g., lower façades, skybridges).

Films are tested using the ABC Threat Factor rating system, where a lower number means fewer collisions.

Benefits Beyond Birds

Compliance: Meet city laws without costly glass replacement.
Sustainability: Contributes to LEED and green building goals.
Public image: Demonstrates environmental stewardship.
Cost savings: Much less expensive than reglazing or curtain wall replacement.

Case Examples

NYC mid-rise retrofit: A school applied patterned film to 40,000 sq ft of glass, achieving compliance while maintaining daylighting.
SF corporate atrium: UV-patterned film reduced documented collisions by over 90% in the first migration season.

FAQ

Does bird-friendly film block views? No. Films are designed to be minimally intrusive while still visible to birds. Patterns often fade into the background for human eyes.

Will it make the building darker? Most films allow high levels of visible light transmission, so interiors remain bright.

How long does it last? High-performance exterior films typically last 7–10 years before replacement is needed.

Do all buildings need this? Check your local codes. In high-risk areas (adjacent to trees, water, or flight paths), even non-mandated buildings benefit from retrofits.

Compliance + Conservation in One Step

Bird-friendly window film solves two urgent problems at once: it helps cities meet environmental goals, and it keeps millions of birds safe from collisions. If you own or manage a school, office, or commercial property in a regulated city—or want to get ahead of future codes—this is one of the most cost-effective solutions available.

Next step: Schedule a compliance walk-through to see where bird-friendly film can retrofit your building and ensure both legal compliance and wildlife protection.

And when you’re ready, contact JO Staats, Inc. for professional installation. As a fully licensed and certified safety and specialty window film installer with over two decades of experience, we help schools and facilities achieve both security and sustainability.