Does a Shed Need to Be Anchored to the Ground

  • By: Rob Jones
  • Date: May 27, 2022
  • Time to read: 4 min.
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Many people get a shed to store their tools, lawn equipment, or other items they don’t have room for inside their house. But, does a shed need to be anchored down to the ground?

A shed does not need to be anchored down as long as it is properly constructed. If a shed is not anchored down, it may blow over in high winds, even if heavy objects are inside the shed. Depending on your local area, it may be required by law to anchor your shed down.

In most cases, the answer is no. However, there are certain situations where you may want to consider anchoring your shed. We will also go over some of the different types of anchoring you can use to keep your shed on the ground. Keep reading to learn more!

Does a shed need to be anchored

No, a shed doesn’t need to be anchored to the ground, but it is recommended. A shed that is not anchored to the ground is at risk of being blown away in high winds.

To prevent this from happening, you can either anchor your shed to the ground or build it on a foundation. If you choose to anchor your shed, you will need to purchase some heavy-duty anchoring materials and follow the instructions carefully.

shed on concrete

If you choose to build a foundation, you will need to dig some trenches and pour some concrete. The foundation will provide a more stable base for your shed, but it will be more expensive and time-consuming to build.

In some places, its a legal requirement to have your shed anchored to the ground. Check with your local building code to see if this is the case in your area.

Why should you anchor a shed

  • The local building laws probably require sheds to be anchored securely 
  • It protects your financial investments in case of a storm
  • Airborne sheds can be very dangerous
  • Helps to reinforce the integrity of the entire structure
  • Can keep sheds on the uneven ground from shifting or moving

The most obvious reason why you should anchor a shed is that it may be required by law. A quick look at the facts makes it obvious why the law may require anchoring for building a shed. During tornadoes or hurricanes, an airborne shed can be a huge hazard. The contents of the shed will also be airborne if the shed gets blown away.

Building a shed or buying one can be a big financial investment. The items you store in the shed could also be of high-value, tools are expensive. You want to protect your financial investments in case of a storm, as well as a lookout for safety concerns. It is unwise to invest in a shed and then not protect it by installing an anchoring system.

Garden sheds, like other structures, are governed by building laws. They must meet a certain standard of safety. Concrete is the best way to securely anchor a shed, but augers can also be used. Depending on the type of shed, anchoring is usually inexpensive and fairly easy to do.

Augers Facts Concrete foundation facts
Augers are screwed deep into the soil

Not as strong as using concrete and masonry brackets

Best option other than concrete

Uses straps, cords, etc to attach the augers to the shed

Can be added later in the construction
Bolts can be attached from the concrete foundation to the floor of the shed while concrete is still wet

Wet anchoring must be done within the time before the concrete sets

Accuracy of the placement is very important

Masonry tools can be used to screw brackets securely into concrete that is already set

Concrete is the best for anchoring

Sheds without concrete foundations can use concrete pillars dug into the dirt in each corner of the shed

The best anchoring system and the number of anchors needed will depend on the size, weight, and materials of the shed. Smaller garden sheds will require fewer anchors than large garden sheds. The anchors are placed in the four corners of the shed, but some anchoring systems include attaching cords, straps, or other devices which go over the roof of the shed to provide pressure from the top of the structure.

Can I anchor a shed without concrete

You are advised to have some sort of anchoring system in place for your shed, but the good news is you don’t need to have it attached to the concrete. Of course, it will depend on the size of the shed but it’s possible to anchor a shed without concrete.

Just as there are many reasons why you would anchor a shed, there are also many ways you can anchor it. As mentioned, it all depends on the size of your shed and the weather conditions of your local area as to which type of anchoring you’ll need.

Different types of shed anchoring

A simple anchor/auger kit might be adequate for keeping your shed securely on the ground.

Or perhaps using anchor plates to secure your shed to its base or foundation.

If you are going to add a concrete foundation then you may want to consider adding an anchoring system, such as a base post before the concrete sets. Planning ahead in this way will certainly be the best and most secure way to anchor your shed.

Conclusion

So, does a shed need to be anchored? Small storage sheds may not require building permits, but the larger ones almost always do. The building permit and other local ordinances may require that the shed be anchored down. Even if it is not required by law in your area, we highly recommend that you be proactive in anchoring the shed in case of high winds or natural disasters.

Rob Jones

Rob is an enthusiast of all backyard DIY projects. He has spent many years researching, learning, and building. From a backyard shed to a garden pond, Rob will have done it!

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