Greater Sudbury city council has given the green light to an $800,000 pilot initiative utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the review of building permit applications. The project aims to enhance efficiency by detecting issues early on and reducing processing times. The AI technology will serve as an initial screening tool, complementing the work of city staff rather than replacing it.
When applicants submit plans via the city’s Pronto portal, the AI software will analyze the applications for missing details and potential violations of Greater Sudbury’s zoning regulations and sections of the Ontario Building Code. This proactive approach is expected to provide prompt feedback to applicants, eliminating the need to wait several days for initial staff reviews to identify deficiencies.
Kris Longston, the city’s general manager of planning and growth, emphasized the importance of training the system on the city’s zoning laws and permit procedures. He likened the process to onboarding a new employee who must familiarize themselves with the workflow before tackling more complex tasks. Longston anticipates that the AI technology will evolve to prevent incomplete applications from being submitted through Pronto, setting a higher standard for incoming applications and potentially expediting the turnaround time.
Builders in the region, such as Morgan Roleau, CEO of the Northern Ontario Home Builders Association, have expressed cautious interest in Sudbury’s AI initiative. Permit delays have been a significant concern for builders, with some applications taking months to process due to various issues. While AI could standardize requirements and compliance checks, Roleau cautioned that faster screening might not address all challenges in the permitting process, such as delays caused by processing issues and inconsistent requirements.
Experts like Mojgan Jadidi, an associate professor at York University, highlighted AI’s ability to handle repetitive tasks in the permitting process efficiently. By automating compliance checks based on clear rules, AI can reduce administrative burdens and allow professionals to focus on intricate decisions. However, Jadidi stressed the necessity of human oversight, especially in cases involving complex circumstances that require human expertise.
John Lane, president of the Ontario Building Officials Association, emphasized that AI is best suited for checking straightforward and repetitive requirements, such as dimensions of stairs, doors, and windows. While AI can expedite compliance checks and generate reports faster than humans, it cannot replace the professional judgment of plans examiners for complex or interpretive aspects of building plans. Collaboration among municipalities in developing such technologies was also recommended to address differences in managing zoning and planning information.
The pilot project will be financed through the city’s Building Permit Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund, with potential full implementation contingent on the pilot’s outcomes. Should the city proceed with full adoption, annual AI licensing fees of $350,000 would be covered by building permit fees. Sudbury’s pilot aims to assess the effectiveness of AI in enhancing the initial phase of the permitting process, with a decision on broader implementation pending the evaluation of results.