Greater Sudbury city council has given the green light to an $800,000 pilot project utilizing artificial intelligence to streamline the review of building permit applications. The aim is to identify issues early on and expedite processing times. The AI technology will serve as an initial screening tool, complementing city staff rather than replacing them.
Applicants submitting plans via the Pronto portal will have their applications automatically checked by the AI software for missing details and potential zoning or building code violations in Greater Sudbury. Kris Longston, the city’s general manager of planning and growth, highlighted that this could lead to immediate feedback for applicants, eliminating the need to wait days for staff review.
The AI system will undergo training on the city’s zoning regulations and permit procedures. Longston likened this process to onboarding a new employee who needs to grasp the system before handling complex tasks. The technology is anticipated to prevent incomplete applications from being submitted, setting a higher standard for submissions and potentially reducing turnaround times.
Morgan Roleau, CEO of the Northern Ontario Home Builders Association, expressed cautious optimism about Sudbury’s initiative, citing permit delays affecting builders in the region. While AI could standardize requirements and checks, Roleau cautioned that faster screening might not address all issues in the permitting process, such as processing delays and inconsistent requirements.
AI, according to Mojgan Jadidi, an associate professor at York University, could streamline repetitive tasks in the permitting process by cross-referencing documents against set rules. However, she emphasized the importance of human oversight in complex scenarios where AI may fall short.
John Lane, president of the Ontario Building Officials Association, noted AI’s effectiveness in flagging clear and repetitive issues in building plans but stressed the irreplaceable role of human judgment in more intricate cases. The potential of AI lies in alleviating administrative bottlenecks, allowing professionals to focus on more complex decisions.
Funding for the project will be sourced from the city’s Building Permit Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund, with anticipated annual AI licensing fees of $350,000 if full implementation proceeds post-pilot. Sudbury’s pilot program seeks to enhance the initial stages of the permitting process, with a thorough evaluation planned before any decision on broader implementation.