Greater Sudbury city council has given the green light to an $800,000 trial initiative utilizing artificial intelligence to assist in reviewing building permit applications. The main aim is to identify issues earlier on and streamline processing times. The AI technology will serve as an initial screening tool rather than a substitute for city personnel.
Through the city’s Pronto portal, when individuals submit plans, the AI software will assess the applications for missing details and potential conflicts with Greater Sudbury’s zoning regulations and sections of the Ontario Building Code. Kris Longston, the city’s general manager of planning and growth, mentioned that this could lead to applicants receiving prompt feedback, avoiding the need to wait days for an initial staff review only to discover missing elements or necessary corrections.
The system will undergo training on the city’s zoning laws and building permit procedures initially. Longston likened this process to onboarding a new employee who must grasp the system before handling more intricate tasks. It is anticipated that the technology will eventually prevent incomplete applications from being submitted through Pronto, setting a higher standard for incoming applications and potentially reducing turnaround times.
Morgan Roleau, CEO of the Northern Ontario Home Builders Association, expressed concerns over permit delays affecting builders in the region, with some applications taking months to clear. Roleau cautiously welcomed Sudbury’s plan, acknowledging that AI could enhance standardization in requirements and compliance checks. However, she cautioned that expedited screening might not resolve all the issues in the permitting process, citing instances where minor errors lead to significant delays.
Mojgan Jadidi, an associate professor at York University specializing in regulatory compliance intelligence, highlighted AI’s potential in handling repetitive aspects of the permitting process efficiently. While AI excels in rule-based scenarios with quality data, human expertise remains crucial for complex interpretations and decision-making.
John Lane, president of the Ontario Building Officials Association, emphasized AI’s aptitude for checking clear and repetitive requirements but emphasized the irreplaceable role of human judgment in complex cases or ambiguous building code mandates. AI is seen as a valuable tool in streamlining administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus on intricate decisions.
Funding for the project will come from Greater Sudbury’s Building Permit Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund, with the possibility of incorporating annual AI licensing fees of $350,000 if full implementation follows the pilot. The trial aims to assess the technology’s effectiveness in enhancing the initial stages of the permitting process before any decision on broader adoption.
