California Taps AI To Fast-Track Wildfire Recovery Permits

Forbes

03-05-2025

Archistar AI Fast-tracked online building permit assessment tool, image courtesy office of ... More California Governor Gavin Newsom
In a move to expedite recovery from devastating wildfires, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of a cutting-edge AI tool designed to streamline the building permit approval process. The initiative aims to accelerate reconstruction efforts in Los Angeles County, where over 16,000 structures were destroyed by the recent Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
Developed by Australian tech firm Archistar, the AI software employs machine learning and computer vision to automatically assess building plans for compliance with local zoning and safety codes. This technology enables homeowners and developers to pre-validate their designs, significantly reducing the time-consuming back-and-forth typically associated with permit approvals.​
"The current pace of issuing permits locally is not meeting the magnitude of the challenge we face," Governor Newsom stated. "To help boost local progress, California is partnering with the tech sector and community leaders to give local governments more tools to rebuild faster and more effectively." ​
The AI tool is being provided free of charge to Los Angeles City and County through a collaboration between the state and philanthropic organizations, including LA Rises and Steadfast LA, with contributions from Autodesk and Amazon. ​
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to expedite the city's recovery. "Getting residents home quickly and safely is my top priority," she said. "With the announcement of this AI solution, we're infusing new technologies into City Hall processes to ensure nothing stands in the way of families getting home." ​
Los Angeles County has also committed to utilizing the software, with the Board of Supervisors passing a resolution to establish a unified permitting authority for the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Center. Supervisor Kathryn Barger noted, "This AI tool has the potential to save homeowners valuable time by helping them submit code-compliant plans from the start." ​
The introduction of AI into the permitting process comes at a critical time. According to reports, nearly four months after the wildfires, residents have begun the arduous process of rebuilding, with only a few permits approved due to the traditionally slow and intricate permitting process. ​
The deployment of Archistar's AI tool in Los Angeles is part of a broader trend of integrating technology into disaster recovery efforts. The software is already in use in over 25 municipalities across the United States, Canada, and Australia, including cities like Vancouver, Austin, Houston, and Seattle. ​
In addition to California's innovative use of AI for streamlining building permit approvals post-wildfire, several other cities and regions worldwide are making use of AI to enhance their permitting processes.​
Austin, Texas, has adopted AI-driven building permit software to expedite the permitting process for single-family homes. The software y interprets zoning codes and implements regulations accordingly during reviews of residential projects. Similarly, the City of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, is utilizing AI to reduce building permit approval times.
The Honolulu, Hawaii city's Department of Planning and Permitting has likewise cut the time to complete residential permits by 70% through the use of AI, demonstrating the technology's potential to enhance governmental efficiency.
Experts suggest that such technological innovations could serve as a model for future disaster responses, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with rebuilding efforts. David Waite, a partner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, who chaired the permitting reform workstream at this year's Luskin Summit, highlighted the benefits of expedited permitting, citing Santa Rosa's recovery after the 2017 Tubbs Fire, where the Coffee Park neighborhood was 85% rebuilt within three years partly due to streamlined processes. ​
As California continues to grapple with the aftermath of its most destructive wildfires, the integration of AI into the rebuilding process represents a significant step toward resilience and efficiency. By leveraging technology and fostering public-private partnerships, the state aims to not only rebuild but also set a precedent for innovative disaster recovery strategies nationwide.