Opinion: AI Permitting Is Coming — Are Florida Contractors Ready?

Broward County’s recent pilot of AI-assisted plan review marks the beginning of a seismic shift in how Florida processes construction permits. Within three years, I predict most major Florida municipalities will use some form of artificial intelligence in their permitting workflow. The question isn’t whether this will happen — it’s whether contractors and architects are prepared.

AI plan review means your submissions need to be cleaner, more standardized, and digitally native. Gone are the days of hand-marked redlines and casual code interpretations. The AI doesn’t have relationships to leverage or ambiguity to exploit. It checks every detail against the code — consistently, every time.

For firms already using BIM and digital submission workflows, this is excellent news. For those still operating with 2D CAD drawings and paper-based processes, the transition will be painful but necessary.

My advice to Florida contractors: invest in digital workflows now. The early adopters will see faster permit approvals, fewer rejections, and a significant competitive advantage in a market where time is money.

By James Whitfield, AIA, Director of Innovation, Baker Barrios Architects — Orlando

Author: Catherine Marsh

Legal & Regulatory Affairs Editor. Tracks construction legislation, OSHA enforcement, and licensing policy in Tallahassee and Washington. Former construction law paralegal and policy analyst.