by Jerry Peck - Codeman on Sun May 03, 2009 5:48 pm
Hi Richard,
The best way to answer that is to define what type of stucco system you have.
Stucco on masonry or stucco on frame?
Stucco on masonry has different requirements than stucco on frame.
Stucco on masonry, typically applied from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch thick is allowed to extended directly down into earth grade below.
From the Florida Building Code, Residential. (underlining and bold are mine)
- SECTION 704
- - INSPECTION FOR TERMITES
- - - In order to provide for inspection for termite infestation, clearance between exterior wall coverings and final earth grade on the exterior of a building shall not be less than 6 inches (152 mm). (Jerry's note: the wall covering, of any type, is required to stop and leave a minimum of 6 inches between the bottom of the wall covering and earth grade below, think of that as the sod or mulch line.)
Exceptions: (Jerry's note: Requires the 6 inches stated above UNLESS one of the following apply.)
- - - - 1. Paint or decorative cementitious finish less than 5/8 inch (17.1 mm) thick adhered directly to the masonry foundation sidewall. (Jerry's note: On masonry construction only, if the stucco is 5/8 inch or less in thickness, and the stucco is fully adhered - not loose - to the wall and edge of the foundation, the stucco is allowed to extend down into earth below.)
- - - - 2. Access or vehicle ramps which rise to the interior finish floor elevation for the width of such ramps only. (Jerry's note: This allows for the driveway to rise to the level of the garage floor, and allows for handicap accessible ramps to rise to the floor level they must meet.)
- - - - 3. A 4-inch (102 mm) inspection space above patio and garage slabs and entry areas. (Jerry's note: The 6 inch minimum termite inspection space may be reduced to 4 inches above patio, garage, and porch areas where there is a concrete slab.)
- - - - 4. If the patio has been soil treated for termites, the finish elevation may match the building interior finish floor elevations on masonry construction only. (Jerry's note: For masonry construction ONLY - if the patio slab has been pretreated for termites the patio slab may be raised to the level of the interior floor ... for masonry construction ONLY - DOES NOT APPLY TO frame construction.)
- - - - 5. Masonry veneers. (Jerry's note: When brick, stone or other masonry veneer is installed, that veneer is allowed to extend down to grade as allowed for under masonry veneers, i.e., the below grade part is to be fully grouted and have through the wall flashings, etc., as required/allowed in R703.7 Stone and masonry veneer, general.
Hopefully the above information helps clarify what it allowed.
Jerry Peck - CodeMan
AskCodeMan.com
Construction Litigation Consultant - Retired
Construction and Code Consultant - Semi Retired