Michigan Construction Code Requirements for Concrete Lifting
At Mid-Michigan Concrete Lifting, we take local codes and building regulations seriously so that our work is reliable, durable and code-compliant every time.
Michigan’s construction codes, primarily the Michigan Building Code (MBC) and Michigan Residential Code (MRC), establish the baseline standards for any concrete work, including lifting or leveling of slabs. These codes are updated periodically at the state level to align with modern safety and structural criteria (for example, Michigan adopted the 2021 MBC with enforcement beginning in 2025). Key code provisions impacting concrete lifting and soil support include:
Foundation and Soil Standards: The code requires that foundations (and slabs that support structures) be built on stable, adequate soil. By default, the MRC assumes a minimum soil bearing capacity of 1,500 pounds per square foot for footings, but if the building official suspects weaker soil, they can mandate a soil investigation and engineered solution. In practice, this means if a slab has settled due to compressible or eroded soil, simply lifting it may not be enough; the underlying soil should be stabilized or improved so it can support the slab per code requirements.
The code also stipulates that footings must rest on undisturbed natural soil or properly compacted engineered fill. This is why professional concrete lifting contractors often assess soil conditions; if poor compaction or voids caused the settlement, those voids should be filled and compacted or injected with stable material during the leveling process to meet code and prevent re-settling.
Frost Protection: Michigan’s climate demands that any structural concrete (like footings or porch slabs attached to a house) be protected against frost heave. The MRC requires footings to be placed at least 42 inches below grade in most of Michigan to get below frost line. Flat work like sidewalks or driveways doesn’t require frost-depth footings, but understanding frost action is important – repeated freeze-thaw cycles and frost heave can contribute to slab movement.
Best practice is to ensure any void under a slab is filled so water cannot collect and freeze. While frost depth is more of a design consideration for new construction, a good concrete lifting job will seal cracks and fill voids to minimize water infiltration and frost heaving of a lifted slab.
Building Permits: Michigan’s state code sets uniform rules for when building permits are required. In general, purely flat concrete work on grade (such as sidewalks, patios or driveways that are not part of an accessible building entrance and are not over a basement) is exempt from permit requirements. For example, the code explicitly exempts “a sidewalk or driveway not more than 30 inches above grade” from needing a permit. This means homeowners or contractors can typically lift/level a residential sidewalk or driveway without pulling a building permit, as it’s considered maintenance of flat work.
However, if the concrete slab is structural – for instance, a garage floor that supports posts, or an interior basement slab that will be structurally altered – then a permit may be required as it falls under building alterations. Moreover, even when a permit isn’t mandated by state code, the repair must still comply with code standards for safety. Code officials can deem unsafe work a violation even if no permit was needed. As a rule of thumb, any significant structural repairs or changes in load-bearing conditions should be reviewed by the local building department. It’s always wise to check with local code enforcement if unsure, because local jurisdictions enforce the state code and may have interpretations on whether a particular concrete leveling project warrants a permit.
Standards for Materials and Strength: When lifting settled concrete, the materials used (whether a cementitious grout or a polyurethane foam) should create a stable, permanent support that meets the intent of the code. The Michigan Building Code references ACI (American Concrete Institute) standards for concrete construction and repair. For instance, new concrete used to fill gaps or repoured sections must meet appropriate compressive strength and durability requirements for the climate (including being air-entrained for freeze-thaw durability if exposed to the elements). Polyurethane foam, while not a traditional “concrete” material, is commonly used for slab lifting and is accepted in practice because it can meet necessary load-bearing capacity – high-density structural foams can have compressive strengths of 50 to 100 PSI or more, sufficient to support normal traffic loads. There is no explicit mention of “polyurethane foam” in the building code, but the code does require that any method used must safely support the structure.
In fact, the Michigan Department of Transportation and many engineers favor polyurethane injection for stabilizing concrete pavements due to its reliability; some major highway projects specify polyurethane foam for slab undersealing and will not accept mudjacking (cement grout) bids because of the foam’s superior performance. From a code perspective, as long as the foam or grout provides equivalent support to soil (and does not create a hazardous condition), it is considered an acceptable method of repair. Contractors should follow manufacturer specifications for these materials and industry guidelines (e.g. those from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance) to ensure the installation is sound.
Structural Integrity During Repairs: If concrete lifting is done on a piece of concrete that is an integral part of a building (for example, leveling a settled portion of a foundation slab or an interior floor), the construction code expects that the repair will restore the slab’s structural integrity. The Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings, part of the construction code) generally requires that repairs must not reduce the structural performance of the element below what the code requires for new work. This implies that lifting a slab should not introduce new weaknesses – e.g., drill holes for injection should be properly patched, and any reinforcement (rebar or mesh) cut or affected should be restored or accounted for. In cases of substantial structural underpinning or foundation leveling, an engineer’s design and inspection may be required by code.
For example, lifting an entire settled building foundation would typically need a design for underpinning, per code, to ensure loads are transferred properly. For typical small-scale slab leveling (like sidewalks, driveways), formal engineering is usually not mandated, but the contractor’s methods should still align with building code principles of stability and safety.
Michigan’s construction codes create the framework: use proper materials, ensure stable soil or fill, protect against frost and loads, and comply with permitting and design rules – all of which underpin a successful concrete lifting project.
Need an experienced, code-compliant team for concrete leveling or concrete lifting ‘near me’ in Michigan? Mid-Michigan supports residential and commercial projects across the state.
Call us at (989) 277-4967 or send a query via our contact page.
