More cities and counties are moving permit applications online, and a few are testing AI tools that check plans before a human reviewer sees them. This guide collects the rollouts we have covered, grouped by what the tool does. Each entry links to our full write-up, which names the vendor, the date and the source. Updated November 2026.
Most of these programs are new. Where a town has not published processing times or results, we say so. Before you rely on any of them, check your own building department’s page for current forms, fees and which permit types the portal accepts.
Online building permit portals
- Newtown, Connecticut: Building permits moved online on September 1. The vendor claims up to 95% faster processing, but the town has not published results.
- Nassau County, Florida: A new Accela-based online permitting portal was set to launch October 12. The county has not published processing-time data.
AI permit pre-checks and screening
These tools flag problems in an application before or during review. Most approve nothing on their own.
- Honolulu’s CivCheck: The city says AI screening cut review time on residential permits. An independent review found faster home permits overall but slower commercial ones.
- Pittsburgh’s EZ Permits pilot: Aims to issue low-risk home permits in one business day, based on applicant attestation. The results are unproven.
- Toronto’s AI permit pre-check: A voluntary one-year pilot that launched August 27 for small residential permits. It flags problems before you submit but approves nothing.
- Spokane: People who lost homes in the August fires get a free year of AI permit pre-screening from Permittable. The city has not reported time savings yet.
- Cities testing AI permit checks: A roundup of what officials report, what the tools cost and what no source has measured.
Faster permits for solar and batteries
- California AB 1738: Would require cities and counties to offer remote inspections for home solar and batteries.
- Delaware: Accepted four ECA Power community solar projects, more than 16 MW in total, into a faster permitting track.
- Harford County, Maryland: Publishes an online map of 26 proposed solar and battery projects with each project’s review status.
Other local government tech rollouts
- Poughkeepsie, New York: PK Connect is a free app for reporting potholes and streetlights with a photo and map pin. The city has not published results.
- Menlo Park, California: Laurel is a Citibot-powered chatbot for city services. A local newspaper found errors in its answers.
- Ocala, Florida: An AI assistant answers resident questions on bills, permits and rentals. Public details are thin.
- Lee County, North Carolina: Parks and Recreation takes sign-ups and facility reservations online. Residents must create new accounts.
- Phoenix: A vendor reports up to 29% less afternoon-peak delay on one corridor. Independent evaluations are pending.
How to check a portal before you apply
- Confirm the portal accepts your permit type. Many launch with a short list.
- Ask your building department what the fees are and whether paper applications are still taken.
- Treat vendor speed claims as claims until the town publishes its own numbers.
- Keep copies of your confirmation numbers and uploaded plans.
We add new rollouts as they launch. For related coverage, see our Technology and Society section and our community solar programs guide.