Footing

County approved permit plans are required on site for all inspections including reinspections.

For new dwellings and additions where a soils report is required, a complete copy of the report must be provided on site for this inspection.

This FOOTING inspection is required prior to placing concrete.

  1. Footings are to be dug straight.
  2. Footing trench bottoms shall be level and a minimum of 18″ below grade (frost depth). Soft areas including fill must be excavated until suitable bearing soil is exposed. If a soils report is required the footing trench bottoms are to be excavated to the depth required by the report. If the trench bottom slopes more than one inch in ten inches (1:10), it shall be stepped so that both top and bottom of concrete footings are level. Bulkheads for steps must be in place, located not less than 12″ horizontally from step-downs, with the bottom edge of the bulkheads no lower than the top of the lower footing. The thickness of the concrete shall be marked in an approved manner.
  3. Masonry chimney footings shall have a 6″ projection (Distance from the vertical face of the chimney to the vertical face of the footing) on all sides. The chimney footing shall be supported by a minimum 12″ thickness of concrete.
  4. Pier footings are to be excavated to the size and depth shown on the approved plans. All pier footings shall be located and aligned per the approved plans.
  5. All mud, soft areas, loose dirt, frozen soil, water, roots, organic material and “backhoe bucket tooth marks” shall be removed.
  6. Where reinforcing steel (re-bar) is required, re-bars are to be secured to their supports and to adjoining re-bar so that they cannot be displaced (securely tied, etc.). The re-bars shall have a minimum clearance from earth of 3″ under and 3″ at sides and ends. ‘Chairs’ used for re-bar support shall be 3″ steel, plastic or other material approved by the Concrete Reinforcing Institute and manufactured for this purpose, or steel dowels driven into the ground with re-bars tied thereto at the required 3″ height. Solid concrete brick may also be used, however regular brick or block chairs are not permitted. These re-bar support members shall be placed maximum 5 feet on center to prevent re-bar deflection. Re-bars are to be lapped (generally 24 times the bar diameter) and tied as required by A.C.I. for the size bars used. All mud, ice, oil, or other foreign substances shall be removed from re-bars prior to placing concrete.
  7. Rebar installed in the footings may be required to be used as the grounding electrode system (Section E3508 Virginia Residential Code).
  8. Footing inspections are also required for deck footings prior to concrete placement. If the deck is to be built under the same permit as a new house or an addition, this inspection may be requested at the same time or separate from footing inspections for the main part of the project.  If round footings are used in lieu of a typical square footing the following chart will apply.
    Square Round
    12″ 14″
    16″ 18″
    18″ 21″
    20″ 23″
    24″ 28″
  9. The deck stair location may require tempered glazing to be installed in the house or addition.  See item #12 in the VENEER section for the specific requirements.
  10. Band boards, rim joists and sill plates abutted by decks, porches, steps, stoops and landings shall be pressure-treated or such appurtenances shall be freestanding with appropriate lateral bracing to provide stability.  Decks, porches, steps, stoops and landings shall be flashed with an approved material.
  11. Footing inspections performed by a Registered Design Professional are to follow the requirements of the Henrico County Footing Inspections Policy enacted August 1, 1999.

Contact Us

Building Inspections

Physical Address
Department of Building Construction and Inspections
4301 East Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23228

Phone
(804) 501-4360
Automated Permit System
(804) 501-7770

Mailing Address
Department of Building Construction and Inspections
P. O. Box 90775
Henrico, VA 23273-0775

 
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