Greater Sudbury city council has given the green light to an $800,000 pilot program that will utilize artificial intelligence to assist in the review of building permit applications. The aim is to identify issues earlier in the process and expedite processing times. The AI technology will serve as an initial screening tool rather than a substitute for city personnel.
Under this initiative, when individuals submit plans via the city’s Pronto portal, the AI software will analyze the application for any missing details and potential violations of Greater Sudbury’s zoning regulations and relevant sections of the Ontario Building Code. Kris Longston, the city’s general manager of planning and growth, explained that this could result in applicants receiving prompt feedback, eliminating the need to wait several days for an initial staff review only to discover missing or incorrect information.
The system will undergo training on the city’s zoning laws and permit procedures initially. Longston likened this process to onboarding a new employee who must first grasp the system’s operations before tackling more complex tasks. The technology is also anticipated to prevent incomplete applications from being submitted through Pronto eventually, setting a higher standard for incoming applications and potentially leading to quicker turnaround times.
Morgan Roleau, CEO of the Northern Ontario Home Builders Association, expressed cautious interest in Sudbury’s plan, noting that permit delays have posed challenges for builders in the region. While AI could streamline requirements and compliance checks, Roleau cautioned that expedited screening might not address underlying issues in the permitting process. Delays, she highlighted, can stem from procedural challenges, staff turnover, and inconsistent requirements rather than technological shortcomings.
According to Mojgan Jadidi, an associate professor at York University overseeing the Regulatory Compliance Intelligence Lab, AI is well-suited for managing repetitive tasks in the permitting process. By automating checks against established rules, AI could reduce administrative burdens, allowing professionals to focus on complex decision-making. However, Jadidi emphasized that human expertise remains crucial in cases involving intricate interpretations or competing priorities, underscoring the importance of human oversight alongside technology.
John Lane, president of the Ontario Building Officials Association, emphasized that while AI excels at verifying clear and routine requirements, it cannot replace the judgment of a plans examiner in cases involving complex drawings or nuanced building code interpretations. The potential of AI lies in expediting administrative processes rather than supplanting human decision-making. Building officials should focus on collaboration to standardize zoning and planning information across municipalities, instead of developing separate systems.
The pilot project will be financed through Greater Sudbury’s Building Permit Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund. Should the city proceed with full implementation post-pilot, annual AI licensing fees of $350,000 will be covered by building permit revenues. The pilot aims to assess whether the technology can enhance the initial stages of the permitting process, with a decision on full implementation contingent on the evaluation of results.