Opinion: Minimum footing depth at common wall of house and garage

Inquiry: 

98-44 

Subject: 

Minimum footing depth at common wall of house and garage

Code:

1996 MSBC 1300.5500 

Submitted By:

Minnesota Building Officials

Approved By:

Thomas R. Joachim, State Building Official 

Issue Date: 

August 3, 1998 

Question:  

May a thickened slab on compacted fill, or footings not installed to the minimum required frost depth, be installed in lieu of a frost depth foundation under the common wall between the house and attached garage? 

Answer:

 No.  Unless the builder proposes an acceptable site specific alternate foundation design that has been prepared by an "engineer competent in soil mechanics", the footings at this location must extend to the minimum required depth specified in this section.