---
title: "List checks before a city or county uses a generative tool in an assessment"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/advise-councils-on-genai-use-in-assessments/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A12-B8-2-US"
practice_area: "Planning & Environment"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# List checks before a city or county uses a generative tool in an assessment

> List whether the assessment file would be entered into a tool that discloses it, whether a person will verify the output, and which published ordinance the output would be checked against.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/advise-councils-on-genai-use-in-assessments/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List whether the assessment file would be entered into a tool that discloses it, whether a person will verify the output, and which published ordinance the output would be checked against. Write no assessment and no advice letter. |
| What the lawyer must review | ABA Formal Opinion 512 of 29 July 2024 requires the lawyer to verify generative output, and Model Rule 1.6 prohibits revealing information relating to the representation, including by entering it into a tool that discloses it, unless the client gives informed consent or an exception applies. Government Code section 65850 lets a city or county regulate by ordinance the use of buildings, structures, and land. An assessment that applies that ordinance is the city or county work. You decide whether staff may use a tool and what may be entered. A generated assessment is not the decision. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Advise councils on GenAI use in assessments](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/advise-councils-on-genai-use-in-assessments.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List whether the assessment file would be entered into a tool that discloses it, whether a person will verify the output, and which published ordinance the output would be checked against. Write no assessment and no advice letter.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- A federal detailed statement under 42 USC section 4332 is a separate document. Do not treat a local assessment as that statement.
- No judge standing order on generative tools was opened. Do not invent a disclosure paragraph.

## Sources

- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 1.6, Confidentiality of Information](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_6_confidentiality_of_information/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [California Government Code section 65850 (authority to adopt zoning ordinances)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=65850.) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*