Bird-friendly Design Ordinance
Summary
SCH Number
2026040332
Public Agency
City of Palo Alto
Document Title
Bird-friendly Design Ordinance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/8/2026
Document Description
The Bird-friendly Design Ordinance will add Section 18.40.280 to the Palo Alto Municipal Code. The ordinance establishes Bird Sensitive Areas within the city limits and regulates the required amount of bird-friendly treatment based on a project's location and type. It also provides alternative methods for compliance. This ordinance was established to reduce bird mortality from building collisions while maintaining balanced development.
Contact Information
Name
Kelly Cha
Agency Name
City of Palo Alto
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Palo Alto
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
Citywide
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15308
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is eligible for Class 8 (Section 15308) exemption because it consists of a regulatory action by the City to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, and protection of the environment. Specifically, the Project introduces a new set of requirements regulating glazing on buildings or structures to protect avian population from collisions.
The Project establishes bird-friendly glazing requirements to balance responsible development with environmental protection by reducing bird collisions. It imposes a certain percentage of bird-friendly treatment on each building elevation, which vary depending on whether a building is residential or nonresidential, and whether it is located within the established Bird Sensitive Area. It also offers an alternative approach for development seeking to meet the intent of the ordained through methods other than those specifically prescribed. By requiring bird-friendly treatments on buildings, it reduces glare on glazing, which will result in less frequent bird collisions into buildings or structures, thereby reducing bird mortality within built environment.
In addition, the Project does not relax any standard that would allow for environmental degradation. As this is a policy update via ordinance, the Project does not authorize ground-disturbing activity or physical construction projects.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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