CODE
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
ENGINEERING & BUILDING
STANDARDS DEPARTMENT
INTERPRETATION
VOLUME:
Volume VII
SUBJECT:
Footings for small accessory buildings
REVIEWED BY:
Gene Morton
QUESTION:
If a small accessory building 400 square feet or less, with any dimension
greater than twelve (12) feet (such as a storage shed, workshop, or small
garage) is constructed with a concrete slab, is a concrete or masonry
footing required?
CODE REFERENCE:
Section 103.1
ANSWER:
Yes. A masonry or concrete footing is required by the code.
The provisions of Section 103.1 allows small accessory buildings which
meet all of the three conditions to be constructed without a masonry or
concrete footing. The second condition requires the building to be
supported on a wood foundation of minimum sizes as specified.
The code allows small one story, lightweight wood framed buildings
(sometimes viewed as portable) to be constructed on wood skids or
runners provided they are adequately anchored. The reason is that
small movements such as foundation settlements or freeze-thaw actions
do not usually affect them. Concrete or masonry constructed buildings
are affected by such movements and therefore must have the more
substantial masonry or concrete foundations.
Approved By:
GENE MORTON
Date: 09/01/00