Photo: Sunsetoned

Does a shed slab 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 2022 - 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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How do I keep squirrels out of my shed in the winter?

Close off any holes that are found around and in the shed. Select a commercial squirrel repellent to use, such as fox urine, Shake Away, Critter Ridder, Ro-pel, Squirrel Away or Whole Control. Fox urine will keep the squirrels away because foxes are a natural predator of squirrels.

gardenguides.com - How to Keep Squirrels out of a Shed - Garden Guides

Check the exterior of the shed for holes that a squirrel could fit through. Close off any holes that are found around and in the shed. Select a commercial squirrel repellent to use, such as fox urine, Shake Away, Critter Ridder, Ro-pel, Squirrel Away or Whole Control. Fox urine will keep the squirrels away because foxes are a natural predator of squirrels. Shake Away is granulated urine from foxes, bobcats and elk. Shake Away will last four to six weeks, if you don’t live in a wet climate. Critter Ridder is organic and will keep the squirrels away for 30 days. Ro-pel and Squirrel Away will give the squirrels a bitter taste, so it is used on things they will chew. Dr. T’s Whole Control is a spray repellent used in large areas. It is non-toxic and biodegradable. Apply a squirrel repellent around the exterior of the shed, creating a 3-foot barrier. Reapply the repellent at regular intervals, based on manufacturer's directions. Trim all trees around that shed that would give the squirrel a launching source. Squirrels can jump about ten feet from a tree on to the roof of the shed.