Avolve expands AI plan review tools for public agencies

Avolve said Oct. 1 it is expanding its AI tools for public agencies, using more than two decades of permissioned plan review data from 350-plus jurisdictions. The update adds purpose-built agents across plan submission, review and GIS workflows to reduce resubmissions and speed infrastructure delivery.

Why it matters: - Public agencies are under pressure from tighter review windows, higher application volumes and retirements among experienced reviewers. - Avolve’s expanded AI portfolio is aimed at reducing repetitive work so staff can spend more time on judgment, code interpretation and public-service decisions. - The company is positioning AI as part of the authoritative record for community infrastructure, not as a separate add-on.

What happened: - Avolve announced an expansion of its applied AI portfolio for public agencies on Oct. 1, 2026. - The new offering is trained on more than 20 years of permissioned plan review data from the 350-plus jurisdictions Avolve serves. - The portfolio uses purpose-built agents across the infrastructure delivery lifecycle, from pre-submission checks to drawing-set review and resubmittal analysis. - Avolve AI builds on ProjectDox and DigEplan, the company’s electronic plan review products. - The system is powered by Esri ArcGIS and built on Microsoft technology.

The details: - Avolve AI Submit is already commercially available and flags common submission errors before an application enters review. - Avolve AI Readiness is a public-facing experience that checks whether a project is ready before it reaches reviewers. - Avolve AI Readiness combines submission checks with building code and zoning validation, and later is expected to help applicants find suitable locations and answer questions about codes, zoning and GIS. - Avolve AI Review adds capabilities inside ProjectDox and DigEplan workflows. - Avolve AI Review includes Avolve AI Companion for questions about building codes and GIS data, change detection between resubmissions, object counting and checks against adopted codes and local zoning. - Avolve AI with GIS is a new capability in development for GIS teams. - The GIS tools are designed to help teams connect spatial context, development activity and community infrastructure data. - Avolve says the AI keeps one authoritative record moving forward so readiness and review work do not need to be rebuilt at each handoff. - Becky Tamashasky, Avolve’s chief executive officer, said the value of AI depends on the quality and trustworthiness of the data behind it. - Tamashasky said the goal is to let technology handle repetitive work while public-sector professionals focus on judgment, problem-solving and service. - Avolve says its relationship with the International Code Council provides a trusted foundation for Avolve AI. - The company says code checking starts with state-adopted ICC codes, which cover roughly 90% of what agencies enforce. - Avolve says that approach reduces the setup time and cost of training models for each agency. - The company said support will expand over time to agencies’ local code books. - Avolve says current customers can contact their Customer Success Manager to request access. - Avolve also plans an upcoming webinar on how Avolve AI and GIS work together. - More information is available on Avolve’s website.

Between the lines: - Avolve is differentiating its AI by tying it to public-sector workflows, spatial data and approval records rather than offering a generic assistant. - The company is also using its long-running data relationships as a competitive moat, since permissioned agency data is difficult to replicate. - The emphasis on validation, code checking and authoritative records suggests Avolve is trying to make AI easier for agencies to adopt in regulated environments.

What’s next: - Avolve plans to expand Avolve AI’s support beyond state-adopted ICC codes to local code books. - The company is rolling out GIS-focused AI capabilities for agencies and GIS teams. - Existing customers are being directed to request access through their Customer Success Manager. - Avolve will host a webinar to show how Avolve AI and GIS can speed plan review and improve spatial intelligence.

The bottom line: - Avolve is turning its plan review software into a broader AI platform for public infrastructure delivery, with data, code validation and GIS at the center of the pitch.