In California, almost every construction project — from a small garage conversion to a multi-unit development — gets caught in the same bureaucratic web: plan checks, code reviews, resubmittals, and endless comments that often add little value to actual safety.
As a licensed general contractor, real estate developer, and someone who has gone through dozens of city reviews, I've seen firsthand that the inspection process is what truly keeps construction safe, not endless plan check cycles.
Plan Checks: A System Stuck in the Past
The original purpose of plan checks was to ensure that projects meet building codes before construction begins. That made sense when everything was done on paper — before automated code analysis and AI-assisted design tools existed.
But today, the majority of plan check comments are repetitive, clerical, or inconsistently enforced. Many cities still manually check Title 24 energy compliance, structural load calculations, or fire separation distances — tasks that can be automated within seconds using modern software.
It's not uncommon for a project to sit idle for months waiting for corrections that have no impact on health or safety. Every delay costs the homeowner, developer, and ultimately the housing market itself.
What Actually Keeps Construction Safe
Inspections do.
Inspectors are the last line of defense between paper plans and real-world conditions. They see whether:
- Foundations are properly reinforced
- Electrical wiring is up to code
- Framing connections are secure
- Plumbing and mechanical systems are installed safely
An inspector can walk onto a jobsite and immediately spot something that could cause future structural failure or life-safety issues — something no plan check ever would.
That's why we need to shift funding and resources away from excessive plan check bureaucracy and toward inspection staffing. Many cities simply don't have enough inspectors to keep up with the volume of permits, which leads to delayed finals and unnecessary project slowdowns.
Automation Can Handle the Rest
Most of building code compliance can be handled through automation:
- AI can validate floor plans against setback and egress requirements
- Automated systems can run seismic, energy, and load checks instantly
- Digital submission portals can flag missing documents automatically
Cities like Los Angeles and San Diego could easily integrate these systems — and some are already testing them. It's not a question of if automation can replace most plan check functions; it's simply a question of when we'll let it.
Keep Planning and Zoning — But Streamline the Rest
I'm not suggesting we remove city oversight entirely. Planning and zoning reviews are essential to protect community character, manage density, and ensure developments fit local context. Fortunately, these checks are usually faster and more objective than the back-and-forth of building and safety reviews.
We should keep those — and automate the rest.
The Bottom Line
If California wants to solve its housing shortage, it needs to build smarter, not slower. The fastest, safest way forward is simple:
- Automate building plan checks
- Maintain city planning and zoning reviews
- Fund and hire more qualified inspectors
Because in the end, construction safety doesn't come from more paperwork — it comes from more eyes on the jobsite.