Austin launches AI-driven building permit software

Austin has started to implement new AI-powered building permit assessment software which will speed up approvals and allow the city to focus on more complex evaluations.

The five-year contract comes after a three-month trial with Archistar’s AI eCheck technology that allows applicants to submit designs for a pre-check assessment. The city is one of the first in the US to enter into a contract with Archistar using this technology.

“The pilot was very successful,” José Roig, Director of Austin’s Development Services Department, told Cities Today. “This software was able to accurately understand [our] zoning code and implement those regulations when reviewing a set of residential building plans. We found the results of the analysis were reliable and repeatable across a wide range of residential projects, regardless of their zoning.”

And importantly for Roig, the software will greatly reduce the turnaround time for reviewing plans, while still being consistent and accurate.

The software benefits the Texan capital’s reviewers by providing them with a quick and consistent review of the building plans against its zoning codes. Archistar will not review every element of the plans, but it decreases what the city’s team will need to analyse. The initial roll out will be limited to single-family residential properties, with plans to expand to other review types.

“This will allow our reviewers to focus on the unique aspects of an application, taking advantage of their expertise and allow them to spend more time on customer service,” added Roig.

Many cities are in the same exploration phase as Austin regarding the use of AI. As Austin wants to become a leader in this space it is also collaborating on a second pilot programme with Archistar, in partnership with the International Code Council (ICC), focused on automating compliance review of the International Building Code.

While the Development Services Department is leading the initiative, it is working closely with the Communications and Technology Management department to ensure the software meets the city’s requirements.

“The Development Services Department is committed to embracing innovative technologies to improve our processes and better support our community,” said Roig. “We are proud to be at the forefront of cities which are finding new ways to serve their communities with the partnership of AI.”

Image: Bryan Roschetzky | Dreamstime.com