AI will soon be part of the Austin’s building permit process.
The city has contracted with Archistar, an Australian company that uses the technology to assess building permit applications, for the deployment of its automated software.
Austin is the first U.S. city with a contract to implement Archistar's AI-powered platform, which will allow applicants to submit designs for a pre-check assessment.
The move, which comes after successful completion of a three-month pilot program, will "improve efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and speed of the development process, enhancing the applicant experience,” according to a Austin Development Services Department announcement.
The city will initially limit the use to permit applications for single-family residential properties but said it plans to expand it to other building and development categories at some point.
“With Archistar’s platform, we will be able to provide faster and more informed feedback on building plans, and that’s crucial in our journey to improve the development process," Development Services Department director José G. Roig said.
The city and Archistar, in partnership with the International Code Council, are also collaborating on a pilot program to automate compliance review of the International Building Code.