Ground Level Wood Siding
A more invasive option is to raise the garage and put in some concrete blocks.
Ground level wood siding. For comparison my 1998 home is in need of new siding because of the sawdust weyerhaueser siding. Realize the building code is a set of minimum standards. And the price about 3 per square foot installed and painted is slightly less than that of most wood clapboard. Any clearance is better than none.
That means if you place the siding 6 inches above the ground you get a 70 percent on the test. Also you should direct roof spillage and surface runoff water away from the building in order to avoid insect rot infestation and damage. The further the better. Keep siding at least 6 above fround level and certainly never bury siding at wall bottoms.
Building siding ground clearance distance specifications codes. Wood siding should be 4 or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface. Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground. Above ground treated lumber can be used in applications that are easily maintained or replaced can only be used in applications more than 6 from the ground can only be used when the wood has proper ventilation and drainage see more uses for above ground treated lumber.
But don t dig it so low that the ground is pitched toward the garage. When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized. The ground should be dug lower so it s not touching the siding anymore. Mike the building code here in the usa used to say that wood siding must be 6 inches above grade.
No wood comes anywhere close to the ground. Six inches would not be too far. The bottom 3 feet above ground level is concrete foundation. Fiber cement siding is virtually indistinguishable from painted wood yet it never rots won t burn extends the life of a paint job and is warranted for 50 years.