Photo: Lisa Fotios

Does a concrete slab for a shed need footings?

Does a cement slab need footings for a shed? It depends on what your local building code requirements are. In some cases, a floating concrete pad (4” thick on a base of crushed stone) is sufficient. In other cases, 12” deep footers may be required as part of the concrete pour.

siteprep.com - Shed Footings: The Complete Guide for 2023 - Site Prep

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Footing Requirements for a Shed

1. Footing Requirements by Shed Size

This may be the single most important shed footing factor. Many local governments in our region divide sheds into the following size categories:

Less than 100 square feet

Sheds under 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft in some locations) often require no footers whatsoever. Very small sheds like these have a low risk of sinking or buckling. Even if they do, any harm caused is likely to be insignificant. (A shed foundation can still increase the longevity of a small shed; you can read more about whether your shed needs a foundation here.)

Between 100 and 600 square feet

Sheds in this range often do not require “frost-proof” foundations but may be required to have a stone pad or shallow footers at 12” deep. For example, 12×16 shed foundation footers may not be required, but some type of gravel shed foundation would likely be advisable.

Over 600 square feet

Larger sheds like these typically require “frost protection”, aka shed footings that extend below the local frost line. Some locales make an exception to the footer depth requirement if the building is placed on a concrete slab.

2. Footing Requirements by Shed Wall Height

Height is another significant factor as it helps to determine how much weight the shed footers will be supporting per square foot. Note that for these purposes, shed heights are typically measured at the wall (or “eave”) height rather than the height at the roof peak. Sheds are often divided by height as follows:

Less than 10’ high

Sheds with walls under 10’ (or 12’ in some locales) may not require footings of any kind (although this is usually tied to a square footage requirement as well). If the shed includes a built-in floor, some municipalities allow them to be placed directly on a gravel pad.

Over 10’ high

Sheds over 10’ in height (or 12’ in some municipalities) often require footings of some type. Additionally, the local government may require both a zoning and construction permit for accessory buildings of this size. For example, barn shed footings would likely be required if the building contains a loft area or a second story.

3. Footing Requirements by Shed Utilities

Footings may be required if a building will be connected to any type of utility service. This includes electric, gas, oil, and/or sewer. In the photo above, an electrical conduit was installed as part of the shed footing/shed foundation installation; it will be connected to the shed when it is delivered. A utility connection can also affect whether a construction permit is required for the shed. This makes sense since the repercussions of a sinking shed are greater if it also runs the risk of rupturing or exposing a utility line.

4. Footing Requirements by Shed Use

If a shed will be used for habitation or any other human activity, shed footings may be required. In at least one case, a township noted that frost-depth shed footings were not required if “the building presents a low hazard to human life in the event of failure”. So if someone asks whether footers are necessary for an implement shed, the likely answer is “no”. However, shed footings are a good idea if an outbuilding will be used as a workshop, she shed, or office (as shown above). Here are links to shed footing regulations from several municipalities that you can refer to for ideas of what the typical requirements look like:

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What does Irish Spring smell like?

The familiar scent of Irish Spring opens with fresh bergamot and citrus, followed by floral and herbal notes on a woody base.

theflamingcandle.com - Irish Spring (Type) Fragrance Oil - The Flaming Candle

Irish Spring (Type) Fragrance Oil

The familiar scent of Irish Spring opens with fresh bergamot and citrus, followed by floral and herbal notes on a woody base. Disclaimer: The Flaming Candle Company (TFC) does not offer finished products. What we do offer is custom fragrances through duplications, creations, or modifications created, manufactured and purchased from our supplier for use in finished products. Product names, brands, and other trademarks or trade names featured or referred to within TFC are the property of their respective holders. These holders are not affiliated with TFC, our products, our website, nor do they sponsor or endorse our materials. The use of these trademarks or trade names in no way indicates any relationship between TFC and the holders and is used only for descriptive identification to convey the aroma being purchased. Every effort has been made to properly identify and attribute trademarks or trade names to their respective owners wherever possible and/or practical.

Notes:

Top - Bergamot, Orange

Bottom - Cedar, Musk, Wood

Soap and lotion safe

Phthalate-free

Not subject to California Proposition 65 warning requirements

Flashpoint: 182° F

Vanillin - 0.00%

Formulated to work in both paraffin and soy wax

Recommended Usage Amounts:

Candles and wax melts: Typical use is 1 ounce per pound of wax, but can vary depending on type of wax, additives, and scent throw preference Soap and skin care products: Please reference IFRA 50th Amendment (June '21) information below