PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code
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9.4.4.1.Allowable Bearing Pressures
(1) Footing sizes for shallow foundations shall be
(a) determined in accordance with Section 9.15., or
(b) designed in accordance with Section 4.2. using,
(i) the maximum allowable bearing pressures in Table 9.4.4.1., or
(ii) allowable bearing pressures determined from subsurface investigation.
(2) The design procedures described in Section 4.2. are permitted to be used in lieu of the design procedures in this
Subsection.
Table 9.4.4.1.
Allowable Bearing Pressure for Soil or Rock
Forming Part of Sentence 9.4.4.1.(1)
Type and Condition of Soil or Rock Maximum Allowable Bearing Pressure, kPa
Dense or compact sand or gravel(1) 150
Loose sand or gravel(1) 50
Dense or compact silt(1) 100
Stiff clay(1) 150
Firm clay(1) 75
Soft clay(1) 40
Till 200
Clay shale 300
Sound rock 500
Notes to Table 9.4.4.1.:
(1) See Note A-Table 9.4.1.1.
(3) The design procedures described in Section 4.2. shall be used where,
(a) deep foundations are used,
(b) the footing size falls outside the scope of this Section, or
(c) the foundation is constructed on peat, filled ground or on sensitive clays as described in Article 9.15.1.1.
This provision includes a table — formatting is preserved from the source; refer to the official code for the authoritative layout.
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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.