San Jose, California, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is testing new artificial intelligence software designed to speed up the city's building permit process with the aim of making homes easier.
The pilot program, launched on Thursday by the city's planning, building and code enforcement department, will use CivCheck's AI to pre-check the application before submitting and use flag issues. According to the department's housing production dashboard, the lack of information means that over 90% of the accessory residential unit applications will be returned to the applicant, potentially delaying construction. The city aims to build 62,200 units by 2031.
The pilot is part of a greater push for the use of technology across San Jose's government, from optimizing bus routes to installing license plate readers.
Tasha Dean, Mayor Matt Mahan's Chief Communications Officer, called the effort a step towards “bringing government into the 21st century.”
“Do you think most residents interact with the government in several ways? They wait in line at the DMV, they come to city council meetings and go for hours with elected officials, or they go for weeks with planners. [and] Prove that the government can meet people's needs. ”
The building permit testing phase will begin this fall, with staff using the tool along with manual reviews. If the pilot project proved successful, Dean said the city would be open to the public as early as next year, and would first make the permits for the Accessory Residential Units public.
“So, part of the big delays and problems that make the housing crisis so bad in California, is how long it takes,” she said. “And hopefully, if we can reduce the friction there, we will ultimately get more shovels on the ground.”
Dean said the AI system can help cities move quickly in emergencies, similar to the tools that California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last May.
