Section A5.107 — BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDING DESIGN

A5.107 Bird-friendly building design. A newly constructed building, or an alteration of an existing building that includes the addition or replacement of 50 percent or more of the exterior glazing, shall comply with the bird-friendly building design elements and features in Sections A5.107.1 through A5.107.3 of the California Energy Code and the fire hazard severity zone regulations in Chapter 7A of the California Building Code.

Exception: Alteration to the glazing in historical buildings per the California Historical Building Code .

A5.107.1 Required elevation treatment. Building elevation treatment shall incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies. No less than 90 percent of a building elevation, measured from grade to a height of 40 feet (12 m) above grade, or from grade to the height of an adjacent mature tree canopy (whichever is greater), shall incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies. No less than 60 percent of building elevation, 40 feet (12 m) above grade to the top of the building elevation, shall incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies.

Strategies to minimize the risk of birds colliding with buildings: 1. Glazing

Glazing with visual markers shall include, but is not limited to, the following: a. Etched or fritted glass with patterns of elements on the exterior having minimum dimensions of [1] / 4 ” (.64 cm) diameter for dots or [1] / 8 ” (.32 cm) width for stripes in a density of 2 inches (5.1 cm) maximum horizontally and vertically (the “2 × 2 Rule”). Note: If the visual markers are on glass surface 2, they can be effective if visible behind an exterior surface with reflectivity of 15 percent or less. b. Interior or exterior glazing film with 2 × 2 visual markers. c. Laminated glass with 2 × 2 visual markers, patterned ultraviolet (UV) coating or use of contrasting patterned UV-absorbing and UV-reflecting films. Note: Low-e coatings shall be behind the visual markers. d. Glass block or channel glass. e. Developed glazing technologies documented to reduce bird strikes, as tested by an independent third party and approved by the authority having jurisdiction; or 2. Slats, Screens, Netting, Louvers

Glazing protected by exterior features that create a visible barrier in front of the glazing, may include, but not be limited to:

a. Horizontal or vertical slats of [1] / 8 ” (.32 cm) minimum face width with minimum 2” (5.1 cm) spacing that obscure 85 percent or more of glass when viewed from all feasible angles. b. Grilles, screens or [1] / 8 ” (.32 cm) dia. welded wire mesh with openings no more than 2” (5.1 cm) maximum horizontally and vertically installed parallel to and no more than 3 [1] / 4 ft (1 m) from the first surface of glass (glass surface 1). c. Netting with 1” (2.5 cm) maximum openings, installed taut at least 6” (15 cm) away from the first surface of glass; or d. Sunshades or louvers 9” (22.5 cm) deep vertically spaced a maximum 9” (22.5 cm) or 6” (15 cm) deep horizontally at maximum 6” (15 cm) spacing and parallel or angled to the glass surfaces.

and no more than 3 [1] / 4 ft (1 m) from the first surface of glass (glass surface 1). c. Netting with 1” (2.5 cm) maximum openings, installed taut at least 6” (15 cm) away from the first surface of glass; or d. Sunshades or louvers 9” (22.5 cm) deep vertically spaced a maximum 9” (22.5 cm) or 6” (15 cm) deep horizontally at maximum 6” (15 cm) spacing and parallel or angled to the glass surfaces.

A5.107.2 Special conditions. The following special conditions shall comply with the provisions in Section A5.107.1 (as appropriate):

1. Glass facades adjacent to vegetated roof.
2. Glass railings and guardrails.
3. Transparent corners that extend 5.5 feet (1.68 m) on either side of a building.
4. Glass passageways less than 5.5 feet (1.68 m) wide.
5. Auxiliary glass building such as a glass pavilion or atrium exposed to the sky.
6. Auxiliary glass building such as a glass pavilion or atrium exposed to a courtyard with a water feature or plants.
7. Stained glass windows insulated on the exterior with clear glazing.

A5.107.3 Nighttime conditions. Nighttime lighting at the top of the building, and in the interiors of all areas visible through exterior glazing, including lobby and atrium, shall be controlled with time-switch control devices or occupancy sensors complying with the current California Energy Code. The control device shall be programmed so the lights are extinguished from 2 am to dawn.

Exception: Emergency lighting, lighting required for nighttime security and aeronautical beacon lighting required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

A5.107.3.1 Systems or operation and maintenance manual. Include written recommendations that lighting is extinguished pursuant to Section A5.107.3 and janitorial services to the building are scheduled between sunrise and sunset.

APPENDIX A5-10 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

APPENDIX A5 – NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

DIVISION A5.2 – ENERGY EFFICIENCY

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A5-12 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

A5 NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

DIVISION A5.2 – ENERGY EFFICIENCY