Continuous Footing

YomsDesigns

A home owner want me to build for him a shed size 14'x28'. I told him with that size, the 2006 building code would require a continuous footing for his shed (any thing larger than 256sf). He told me that some company is going just build the shed and slap it on his back yard without the continuous footing. I was just wondering how are these shed building company can go around code?

Crock

Only if it is CONNECTED to the home.

SLSTech

Hey guys, where are you located at? Locations in profiles help us figure out what codes may be in your area, or someone out there can give you a heads up on local issues.

Not attached or temp structure would be my guess - check with your local Building Dept if in doubt

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

genecarp

Many companies are happy to slap up a shed in your yard on 4 cement blocks. Most homeowners are happy to put up a shed without the knowledge of there local building dept. Thats how... G

Note, those shed building companies have a disclaimer that states, Not responsible for building permits or code violations.

__________________

greg24k

In NJ sheds 200 SF or over must have a footings and the shed has to be anchored to the footings. Footings don't have to be continues but should be adequately laid out per code to support the structure. Anything under 200 SF it can sit on a bed of gravel or concrete, under 100 SF no permit is required.

__________________

bwalley

In Florida it would need a footer, not only does a footer support the structure, it also helps keep it in place during a hurricane or other high wind event.

A shed settling is one thing, going through your neighbors house and possibly killing them is another matter.

Based on the statement 2006 building code, it is apparent you are not in Florida though, as we don't have a 2006 Building code, we have FBC 2004 with 2006 revisions and we just adopted the FBC 2007, with the 2008 and 2009 glitch ammendments.

greg24k

Do you need a continues footer or you can use a poured concrete piers at 4 corners and centers and perhaps a 4" concrete slab over it with anchors securing the sill plate from which you have steel straps going up the wall every 4'-6' to the top plate and then hurricane straps tie the plate to the rafters. I'm just curious.

__________________

MJW

Shed companies get around some things because they have their own engineers. Building officials are on their knees in the presence of an engineer.

Is it stick framed from that company or is it a pole shed?

bwalley

In Florida the shed would have to go through plan review for a permit.

If the P.E. did not follow FBC, the plans would be rejected.

YomsDesigns

Preciate all the infor guys. I am in Virginia and have already check with the local inspector. We do need continuous footing for any thing greater than 256sf. I will follow code, just shock that shed building companies didn't, or how they get around not doing it.

SLSTech

GeneCarp nailed it above

They have no problems dropping off their product & assembling it, its up to you to make sure everything is ready for them including permits - if you didn't well thats your issue, the product has been sold

Now if you put Virginia in your profile that would be cool

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

user38755

Here in Page County Iowa we have very little codes. Example: Right now, three doors down from my home, a neighbor is having a three car garage built with a loft(approx.70X35). To prepare for the garage the GC removed the grass and dug a 4" wide trench with a ditch witch and poured a 4" flat slab. The framing started with untreated lumber drilled half way through at bolt locations so bolts could be cut off below surface of sill plate that is sitting directly on the floor. This is within 3/4 mile of a river and water level is maybe 6ft below the surface. I have a single car garage built in '84 with 3ft footing and raised sills that is sinking on one side, and the garage that is being replaced is because the sills all rotted sitting on the floor and slid off the concrete. I cannot compete in Page County with these kind of practices being allowed. Oh and it's been under construction for over 5 months, haven't seen any progress in the last three weeks. Talk about "Quality Construction".

Anti-wingnut

They get around it because they have a tight contract which stipulates that permits and adherance to building codes are the responsibility of the purchaser. 14' X 28' in most cases would require a permit, and footings and foundation as per code or engineered specs.