California Construction News staff writer
In a step to speed up recovery from the recent Eaton and Palisades wildfires, Gov Gavin Newsom has announced the rollout of a new AI-powered software tool designed to accelerate the approval of building permits in Los Angeles City and County.
Developed by Archistar and provided at no cost through a public-private partnership, the tool uses artificial intelligence to instantly check building plans against local zoning and building codes. It aims to dramatically shorten permitting timelines — turning what has often taken weeks or months into a process of hours or days.
“The current pace of issuing permits locally is not meeting the magnitude of the challenge we face,” said Governor Newsom. “California is partnering with the tech sector and community leaders to give local governments more tools to rebuild faster and more effectively.”
The software is being offered free of charge to local governments and residents, thanks to contributions from philanthropic partners LA Rises and Steadfast LA, with support from Amazon and Autodesk. The state, while not directly responsible for issuing local permits, is facilitating access and removing barriers to expedite recovery.
Rick Caruso, Chairman of Steadfast LA, emphasized the software’s impact on cost, safety, and speed:
“Bringing AI into permitting will allow us to rebuild faster and safer. This is a game-changer for families and communities trying to get back on their feet.”
The tool allows property owners to pre-check their plans before submission, reducing rejections and administrative delays for city and county staff. The County of Los Angeles has passed a resolution to adopt the tool and integrate it into its new one-stop recovery center in Altadena.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the innovation, noting it aligns with her recent executive directive to pilot AI permitting tools:
“With this AI solution, we’re ensuring nothing stands in the way of families getting home — and keeping our recovery effort on track to be the fastest in modern California history.”
Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath also praised the effort, highlighting its potential to bring speed, transparency, and relief to fire survivors in LA County.
The technology is already in use in over 25 cities across North America and Australia, including Vancouver, Houston, and Austin. It’s now available statewide through a procurement contract, allowing other California municipalities to adopt the system quickly.
This initiative forms part of a broader recovery push. Governor Newsom has issued multiple executive orders to suspend regulatory hurdles, streamline environmental reviews, and empower faster local rebuilding following the fires.
The announcement also marks the expansion of Engaged California, a new platform to involve residents directly in shaping policy, with wildfire recovery as its first area of focus.
As LA rebuilds, state and local leaders are uniting with philanthropy and technology to transform what’s typically a bureaucratic process into one driven by speed, innovation, and public service.
For ongoing updates on LA’s fire recovery and rebuilding efforts, visit CA.gov/LAfires.
