INYO Spatial CityDiff Apply for a pilot

CityDiff by INYO Spatial

Monitor physical change across your city.

CityDiff helps local governments identify exterior construction and property changes across the city, compare them with permit records, and focus staff attention on the cases that deserve review.

Physical-change intelligence for local government.

Apply for a pilot See what CityDiff finds
May 4BaselineNo visible work
May 18ExcavationSoil disturbance and equipment
June 1Slab pouredNew foundation footprint
June 15Structure erectedExterior construction underway

See change while it is still underway.

More frequent observations create an earlier signal—so staff can review activity while evidence is current, not months after the fact.

Observation cadence

A project can start and finish between surveys.

Typical periodic survey

January → May
  1. Overhead observation of the parcel before construction begins.
    Before work
  2. Overhead observation of the same parcel after the building project is complete.
    After completion

The entire project occurred between captures.

CityDiff

Every two weeks or more often
  1. Overhead observation of the parcel before construction begins.
    Before work
  2. Overhead observation showing excavation at the parcel.
    Excavation
  3. Overhead observation showing the new slab at the parcel.
    Slab
  4. Overhead observation showing the erected structure at the parcel.
    Structure
  5. Overhead observation of the same parcel after the building project is complete.
    Complete

Observed while work is underway.

Actual frequency depends on geography, imagery availability, weather, and pilot scope.

From visible change to an actionable review queue.

Review changes, compare available records, and decide which cases merit staff attention.

  1. 01 Observe Imagery · May 4 → June 15
  2. 02 Organize Parcel · SYN-042-017
  3. 03 Compare Available-record status · No matching permit found in available records
  4. 04 Prioritize Disposition · Staff review

A more current view of visible construction and property change.

Surface exterior changes with a consistent citywide process.

Baseline aerial view of the parcel before construction begins
T-1 · May 4, 2026
Current aerial view of the same parcel with the structure erected
T · June 15, 2026

Excavation and new structure

Dates
May 4–June 15, 2026
Area
Approx. 186 m²
Confidence
High
Visibility
Clear; minor tree-edge occlusion

Review recommended

Illustrative baseline aerial view of a wooded peri-urban parcel before site clearing
T-1 · June 2, 2026
Illustrative current aerial view of the same peri-urban parcel after vegetation clearing and soil disturbance
T · June 16, 2026

Clearing and disturbed soil

Dates
June 2–16, 2026
Area
Approx. 2,340 m²
Confidence
Moderate
Visibility
Partial tree-edge occlusion

Record check incomplete

Illustrative baseline aerial view of a suburban home, yard, driveway, and neighboring parcels before hardscape work
T-1 · July 6, 2026
Illustrative current aerial view of the same suburban home with new paving and a partially completed pool behind the house
T · July 20, 2026

Paving and major hardscape

Dates
July 6–20, 2026
Area
Approx. 128 m²
Confidence
Moderate
Visibility
Partial canopy cover

Record matched

CityDiff focuses on visible exterior physical change. Visibility depends on feature size, tree cover, shadows, weather, viewing conditions, and how long a change remains visible.

Structured data

{
  "schema_version": "demo-1",
  "parcel_id": "SYN-042-017",
  "observed_from": "2026-05-04",
  "observed_to": "2026-06-15",
  "change_category": "excavation_and_new_structure",
  "affected_area_m2": 186,
  "confidence": "high",
  "permit_match_status": "no_match_in_available_records",
  "visibility_notes": "Clear view; minor tree-edge occlusion",
  "evidence_refs": ["T-1_2026-05-04", "T_2026-06-15"],
  "recommended_disposition": "staff_review"
}

Staff report

Parcel SYN-042-017 · May 4–June 15, 2026 · 186 m² · High confidence

Excavation and new structure · Evidence T-1 May 4 and T June 15

Clear view; minor tree-edge occlusion

New exterior activity · No matching permit found in available records · Review recommended

Change review

A focused report, not another map to search.

Start with a concise queue organized around the places that need attention. Every signal stays connected to its imagery, available-record status, and recommended next step.

31 changes detected · 23 matched · 8 recommended for review

  • Record matched
  • Review recommended
  • Limited visibility

One current record of physical change. Multiple city workflows.

Share the same review-ready context across departments while keeping each team’s role clear.

Primary workflow

Building and code

Connect visible construction activity with available permit records and focus staff review.

Related application

Planning and zoning

Add current exterior context to site-plan and land-use review.

Related application

Public works and stormwater

Surface grading, road work, and drainage-related change for follow-up.

Related application

Property and assessment

Bring visible improvements into scheduled property research.

Related application

Capital projects

Compare visible project progress with planned milestones.

Responsible use

Built to support public servants, not replace public judgment.

CityDiff organizes exterior-change evidence for review. It does not turn an observation into a municipal decision.

Evidence organized for authorized staff review.

  1. 01 Exterior observation Visible physical change
  2. 02 Record comparison Available city context
  3. 03 Authorized staff review Evidence and recommendation
  4. 04 City decision Municipal authority
  • Visible exterior physical change, not people
  • No face recognition
  • A recommendation, not a violation
  • Authorized city staff retain interpretation, inspection, outreach, and enforcement authority

Pilot program

Help shape the next generation of municipal change intelligence.

INYO Spatial is selecting pilot cities to help shape CityDiff around real municipal review workflows.

  1. 01Select areaDefine a useful pilot geography.
  2. 02Establish baselineAlign imagery and available records.
  3. 03Review recurring findingsPut evidence in front of staff.
  4. 04Measure valueEvaluate findings and workflow fit.
Municipal championA staff lead who can coordinate the evaluation
Accessible parcel and permit recordsData available for scoped comparison
Disposition feedbackWillingness to share staff review outcomes

Start a conversation

Tell us what your city wants to evaluate.

INYO Spatial will review your municipality's goals and contact qualified pilot applicants to discuss scope, data readiness, and evaluation criteria.

Apply for a pilot Opens your email application This site does not collect or store the information you include.

Practical details

Frequently asked questions

CityDiff helps teams prioritize review of visible exterior changes while keeping interpretation and action with the city.

How often does CityDiff observe change?

A typical CityDiff observation cadence is every two weeks or more often. Actual frequency depends on geography, imagery availability, weather, and pilot scope.

Does CityDiff make permit or enforcement decisions?

No. CityDiff only recommends review. Authorized city staff retain interpretation, inspection, outreach, and enforcement authority.

Does CityDiff identify people?

No. CityDiff focuses on visible exterior physical change, not people, and does not use face recognition.

What can CityDiff observe?

CityDiff can surface visible exterior changes such as construction, excavation, clearing, and paving. Observability depends on feature size, tree cover, shadows, weather, viewing conditions, and how long a change remains visible.

Can CityDiff use existing city imagery?

Suitable existing city imagery can be evaluated for a pilot. Usefulness depends on resolution, capture dates, coverage, and viewing conditions.

What does a city need for a pilot?

A municipal champion, a defined evaluation area, accessible parcel and permit records, and willingness to provide disposition feedback help establish pilot readiness.

What is CityDiff?

CityDiff is a product of INYO Spatial.

Bring a more current view of physical change to your city.

Apply for a pilot Opens your email application