AI is revolutionizing zoning analysis for real estate professionals. Here's what you need to know:
- 3 key AI tools: UrbanForm, Deepblocks, and Gridics
- Benefits: Faster research, visual development potential, investment opportunity spotting
- Limitations: Still bound by current zoning rules, need accurate data input
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Key Feature | Use Case | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UrbanForm | Detailed PDF reports | Zoning lookups | $197/report |
| Deepblocks | 3D + financial analysis | Site selection | $19.99/month |
| Gridics | 3D visualization | City planning | Varies |
These tools turn weeks of work into minutes, but they're not perfect. They can't suggest zoning changes or predict trends yet. Human expertise is still crucial for catching nuances and making judgment calls.
Bottom line: AI zoning tools offer speed and accuracy, but they're just one part of the urban planning toolkit.
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UrbanForm
UrbanForm is changing the game in zoning analysis with its AI-powered platform. It's giving real estate pros quick access to zoning info that used to take ages to dig up manually.
What's UrbanForm bringing to the table?
- Zoning reports in 60 seconds or less
- Spot-on calculations for Zoning Floor Area, max building height, and stories
- Zoning allowance data baked right in
- A clear picture of what you can build
For developers and architects, this is huge. Just punch in an address, lay out your plans, factor in incentives, and play with the numbers. Boom - you've got a feasibility study to chew on.
Jonah Gamblin from Design Research Office puts it this way:
"UrbanForm gets you to that first level of understanding, with the information you need, much faster than anything else. It's about information management; UrbanForm is indispensable at this point."
But it's not all smooth sailing. During a demo in LA, two folks spotted errors in seconds. So, there's still some fine-tuning to do on the accuracy front.
Want to give it a spin? A one-time detailed zoning report for a single property will set you back $197. That includes all the zoning explanations, calculations, and source links in a neat PDF package.
UrbanForm's mission? To make sense of the zoning maze. Just picture this: if you stacked up all the pages of LA's zoning code, it'd be about 11.5 feet tall. UrbanForm wants to be your shortcut through that paper mountain.
2. Deepblocks
Deepblocks is shaking up zoning analysis with AI. Their Automated Zoning Report service covers 126 U.S. cities, giving instant property development insights.
What can Deepblocks do for you?
- Spit out zoning reports for any parcel in seconds
- Calculate max development area
- Figure out how many units you can build
- Mash up 3D models with financial analysis
Here's the kicker: Deepblocks is FAST. Traditional reports? Days. Deepblocks? Seconds. That's game-changing speed for real estate pros.
They've got two main offerings:
| Product | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Report | $28 | Instant report, all the zoning data you need |
| Developer | $19.99/month | 3D models, financials, full feasibility breakdown |
CEO Olivia Ramos spills the beans on their secret sauce:
"All the data on the platform comes from publicly-available resources that the Deepblock team then structures, organizes, and combines to power the platform."
This approach lets them crunch massive amounts of data at lightning speed. Case in point: They found 13 hot properties out of 18,000 in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant area in under 30 seconds. That's months of work done in the blink of an eye.
What's next for Deepblocks? They're gunning for every U.S. city, then Latin America. They've already snagged $5.2 million in VC cash to fuel their growth.
For real estate pros, Deepblocks is a no-brainer. It's a one-stop shop for zoning data, financial analysis, and 3D modeling. Make smarter investments, faster. Simple as that.
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3. Gridics
Gridics is shaking up zoning analysis with AI-powered tools. Their main product, ZoneIQ, is the only 3D planning and zoning software out there.
What's in Gridics' toolbox?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D Visualization | Interactive zoning and development capacity maps |
| Real-time Updates | Instant property development insights |
| Geospatial Analysis | Zoning rules applied at parcel level |
| CodeHUB | Unified code text publishing tool |
Cities across the U.S. are jumping on board. Miami Beach, Cupertino, and Placer County are using Gridics to streamline zoning.
In Cupertino, homeowners can see their property's building potential in 3D. Mayor Steven Scharf says:
"This tool doesn't design homes, but it helps residents visualize what they can do with their property based on our zoning code."
For real estate pros, Gridics is a big deal. It crunches data to give insights on:
- Zoning and uses
- Development potential
- Lot attributes
- Setbacks
Jason Doyle, Gridics CEO, explains:
"Our tech analyzes and applies development and usage rules at the parcel level, as defined in the zoning ordinance."
It's not just for cities. Developers and brokers can analyze opportunities in seconds - a job that used to take weeks and cost a fortune.
Gridics has hit New York City, with Daniel Lebensohn of BH3 saying:
"Gridics has literally cracked the code with their 3D technology."
For cities and real estate pros, Gridics offers powerful tools to navigate zoning and make quick, data-driven decisions.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Let's compare UrbanForm, Deepblocks, and Gridics in the AI zoning analysis space:
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| UrbanForm | - Quick zoning info access - Automated solutions - Detailed PDF reports |
- Bound by current zoning rules - $197 per property report |
| Deepblocks | - Fast site selection - 3D modeling + financial analysis - $18/month subscription |
- Not available in all US cities |
| Gridics | - 3D visualization - Real-time updates - Parcel-level geospatial analysis |
- Potentially costly to implement - Depends on accurate data input |
UrbanForm excels at quick zoning lookups. $197 per report? Sounds pricey, but it's a steal compared to manual research. Jonah Gamblin from Design Research Office puts it this way:
"UrbanForm gets you to that first level of understanding, with the information you need, much faster than anything else. It's about information management; UrbanForm is indispensable at this point."
Deepblocks? It's FAST. We're talking 18,000 properties in 30 seconds. In Brooklyn, it found 13 hidden gems out of 18,000 properties. Talk about finding a needle in a haystack!
Gridics brings 3D to the party. It's the only 3D planning and zoning software out there. Cities like Miami Beach and Cupertino are already using it. Cupertino's Mayor Steven Scharf says:
"This tool doesn't design homes, but it helps residents visualize what they can do with their property based on our zoning code."
But here's the catch: these tools mostly stick to existing rules. They're not quite ready to suggest zoning changes or predict future trends. And they're only as good as the data they're fed.
The bottom line? AI zoning tools are speedy and accurate. But they're not perfect. We still need humans to catch nuances and make judgment calls. The next challenge? Making these tools more flexible and responsive to changing urban needs.
Wrap-up
AI zoning tools are shaking up real estate and urban planning. Here's what you need to know:
| Tool | Use Case | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| UrbanForm | Zoning lookups | Detailed PDFs |
| Deepblocks | Site selection | 3D + financial analysis |
| Gridics | 3D visuals | Live updates |
These tools turn weeks of work into minutes. Deepblocks can scan 18,000 properties in 30 seconds, spotting opportunities humans might miss.
But they're not perfect. Most can't suggest zoning changes or predict trends. And they need accurate data to work well.
Getting started? Think about:
- Your main need (speed, visuals, or in-depth reports)
- Tool availability in your area
- Cost vs. time saved
Remember, these tools help but don't replace humans. As Cupertino's Mayor Steven Scharf said about Gridics:
"This tool doesn't design homes, but it helps residents visualize what they can do with their property based on our zoning code."
The future? These AI tools will likely get smarter, making urban planning even smoother.
