AI could change how St. Pete approves building plans

St. Petersburg has tested more than 20 artificial intelligence systems to help review building plans, but city officials say the technology still has trouble interpreting building codes.

After roughly six months of evaluations, the city is taking a narrower approach. Instead of using AI to decide whether construction plans meet code requirements, officials are concentrating on helping residents and contractors get their permit applications right the first time.

City technology staff discussed the findings Thursday during a Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting, where councilmembers also debated how aggressively St. Petersburg should bring AI into everyday operations.

John Baker, a special project manager with the city’s Department of Technology Services, said staff gave some vendors actual construction plans to test their systems.

The software struggled with code provisions that require judgment, including accessibility requirements and the placement of doors. It also had difficulty determining which rules take precedence when regulations conflict.

Then there’s the question of accuracy. A system might flag dozens of supposed problems in a set of plans, leaving employees to figure out which findings are legitimate.

For now, Baker said, AI is “best suited for pre-submitted assistance.”

The city is implementing Tyler Technologies software for permitting and licensing, with a rollout expected this spring. The system will walk applicants through the process, asking for contractor information, drawings and other required paperwork.

Someone remodeling a bathroom, for example, could be prompted to submit the necessary plumbing, electrical and floor plans before the application reaches a city employee.

Officials also described Evolve software that would check whether those documents are actually included, whether drawings have a scale and whether required engineering reviews are documented.

Both are intended to cut down on the repeated requests for missing paperwork that can hold up an application. Neither was presented as a replacement for city plan reviewers.

Other Florida cities have started experimenting with similar technology. Naples offers AI-assisted checks before plans are formally submitted, while Miami Beach has sought vendors for a pilot program aimed at reviewing commercial renovation applications.

Thursday’s discussion follows St. Petersburg’s adoption of its first policy governing generative AI in August.

As previously reported by the Catalyst, the policy allows employees to use approved programs, including ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, but restricts access to protected information and requires workers to verify AI-generated material.

Councilmember Mike Harting, who requested the citywide discussion, said he wants the city to make AI a more deliberate part of how departments operate.

“I believe you innovate or die,” Harting said, acknowledging that government cannot move as freely as a private business.

City officials said department directors are encouraged to identify where new technology might help, with proposals evaluated for cost, security and performance.

Harting argued that municipalities have an opportunity to establish practices and rules around AI instead of waiting for other levels of government to do it for them.

Councilmember Richie Floyd wasn’t as eager to embrace every application.

Floyd said the city needs to distinguish between specialized systems that analyze particular kinds of information and generative AI tools that can produce inaccurate answers.

“We need to do a better job delineating between generative and dedicated tools,” he said.

His greater concern was with generative AI, particularly when employees are expected to verify complicated information produced by the software.

Floyd also cautioned against using AI to generate creative work or make decisions affecting law enforcement.

Residents have raised concerns of their own.

At an August open house, the city invited public feedback on its AI plans. Staff told councilmembers Thursday that more survey respondents were uncomfortable with AI than comfortable with it. Applications involving flooding, stormwater and water leaks drew greater support than automated permitting reviews and damage assessments.

Even the city’s existing AI-powered website chatbot came under criticism.

Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz said she tried using the city’s AI-powered chatbot to find an upcoming City Council agenda, only to receive links to unrelated committee meetings. The agenda was already on the city’s website.

“Our city council agenda’s on our website and our own chat box can’t find it,” Hanewicz said.

Technology staff acknowledged the problem, pointing to difficulties keeping the chatbot’s information current.

Councilmember Copley Gerdes, who requested a separate discussion about AI and building permits, acknowledged the technology’s limitations.

“It’s not there yet,” Gerdes said.

But he doesn’t want the city to wait until contractors are routinely using AI-generated plans before deciding how to handle them. Gerdes said builders are already exploring the technology, and that St. Petersburg needs to prepare for changes in how construction plans are prepared and submitted.

The committee agreed to fold his permitting referral into the broader AI discussion and keep the subject under review.

“The city is eventually going to have to deal with AI,” Gerdes said. “Either we are the ones leading that charge and change or we’re just going to be reactive and responsive to what the contracting community is bringing forward.”