Two local roofing contractors urged the Fruita City Council on public comment to allow documented photo or video inspections so crews can finish roofs on weekends instead of waiting for a city inspector.
Don Fowler, owner and operator of Fowler Roofing, said his small crew sometimes tears off roofs on a Saturday or Sunday but cannot cover them until a city deck inspection occurs. “All I ask is, let me take a video of the house number, climb up on the roof, show the plywood looks good, and dry it in,” Fowler said.
Donnie Espinosa, regional manager for a commercial roofing contractor who said he grew up in the valley, described how other jurisdictions accept mid-roof photographs emailed to inspectors for remote review. “They have us take a bunch of photos, email it to the inspector, and then he reviews it,” Espinosa said, adding that photo review can speed inspections after a large storm and help contractors bring buildings up to current code.
Why it matters: Contractors said restrictive inspection scheduling is costing crews weekend pay and slowing storm-recovery work; council did not take immediate action during the meeting. Fowler and Espinosa asked staff to consider a photographic or video option so crews can document deck condition when the inspector cannot make a weekend visit.
Supporting details: Fowler described a recent job where rain forced a delay because he could not legally cover the roof until the deck inspection occurred; he said inspectors give a four-hour morning and four-hour afternoon window that can make weekend scheduling difficult for small crews. Espinosa said crews are removing multiple roof layers to bring older commercial buildings into compliance with current state requirements and that streamlined inspection options would help that work proceed faster.
Next steps: No ordinance or policy change was proposed or adopted at the meeting. The contractors’ requests were recorded in public comment; city staff were present at the meeting and may follow up in the administration or building department work plan.