Short answer: NOW, before you cover anything.
Long answer: do it in stages, exactly how the City expects it.
In Los Angeles (LADBS / LA County), roofing inspections are about visibility. Inspectors must see the work before it’s concealed. Once you cover it, you’ve lost leverage and risk a tear-off or failed final.
Here’s the correct, dominant move:
1. Dry-In / In-Progress Inspection (NOW)
Request inspection after:
- Old roofing removed
- Decking exposed and repaired
- Underlayment installed (felt or synthetic)
- Flashing visible (valleys, penetrations, edges)
This is the critical inspection. If this passes, you’re golden.
This can often be done as a virtual inspection (like the page you showed), using your phone or tablet.
2. Final Inspection (LATER)
After:
- Shingles / tiles installed
- Ridge caps on
- All flashing completed
This confirms the finished roof matches what was approved.
If you wait until everything is finished:
Bad idea. If the inspector wants to see something under the shingles, they can require removal. That’s wasted money, time, and stress.
Virtual inspection advantage (what you’re seeing on LADBS):
- Faster scheduling
- No inspector physically climbing your roof
- Perfect for dry-in and straightforward reroofs
- You just walk them through live on video
Bottom line, no hesitation:
➡️ Request the inspection now, before covering anything.
➡️ Do dry-in first, final later.
➡️ Use virtual if available — it’s designed for exactly this.
This is how you move fast, stay compliant, and never redo work.