Clariti Launches AI Studio to Help Cities Speed Housing Approvals
Clariti announced AI Studio, a program that gives local government teams direct access to expertise in applying AI to permitting workflows. The move comes after Honolulu cut residential plan review cycles by 70% using Clariti's AI plan review tool.
Housing approvals have become urgent. The White House, Congress, and dozens of states have prioritized permitting reform as housing shortages and affordability pressures intensify. Yet many agencies lack a clear path to apply AI effectively to their workflows.
What the results look like
Honolulu reduced residential plan review times by 70% and total review time by 64%, bringing what once took up to 90 minutes down to 20-30 minutes. Denver recently selected Clariti to modernize its building permitting process. Seattle and Calgary have CivCheck pilots underway.
"When building permit approvals drag on for months, it creates real pressure for residents, builders, and city staff alike," said Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, City and County of Honolulu. "What's made the biggest difference is that their team worked alongside our staff to fit AI into the way we already review plans."
How the program works
AI Studio offers 45-60 minute one-on-one workshops led by subject-matter experts. Each session is built around an agency's actual workflow and identifies where delays occur.
The workshops focus on three common bottlenecks:
- Incomplete or unclear submissions at intake
- Inconsistent code compliance interpretation
- Lengthy back-and-forth review cycles
Teams leave with a concrete assessment of where AI could reduce turnaround times and improve consistency in decision-making.
Why the approach differs
Clariti's AI plan review solution is built with AI at its core from the start, not as an add-on to existing steps. This means fewer errors, less rework, and more predictable timelines.
"Delays don't start at review - they begin before an application ever reaches the city," said Julia Richman, Clariti Government Relations. "In each workshop, experts work with jurisdictions to uncover root causes and identify where AI might address those challenges."
Local government agencies interested in participating can request access at claritisoftware.com/clariti-ai-studio. Clariti serves communities across 26 states.
For construction and real estate professionals, understanding how AI Agents & Automation affect permitting timelines is increasingly relevant. Many jurisdictions are moving toward these systems, which will change how projects move through approval stages.
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