First of all, assuming you are an engineer, it is "footing" not "footer". That's a contractor term.
In almost all cases, footings are reinforced. While some codes allow lightly loaded footings to be "unreinforced" or "plain" concrete, it is usually more trouble than it's worth to get it by an inspector, even when shown on the plans.
Thanks for the input. I'm actually a young architectural designer trying to learn as much as i can. I am designing a small 2000 SF, 1 story wood framed addition to a daycare building. I was just curious if I could get away without reinforcing the footings, even though it seems that it is common practice.
I agree with Ron here. Put in the rebar - it's cheap insurance.
Oh, and never, but never try to "get away" with something structurally. Chances are it will come back to bite you where you really don't want to be bitten, as in your professional reputation.
Do you have any idea what kind of soil you are putting your building on? If it's expansive, even a couple of bars won't keep it from moving around. I would have hoped that with your architecture training you would have also received some basic engineering training.
For example, we can "away with" just one bar top and bottom for "footer", but in Australia, the same "footer" might have three bars top and bottom with some stirrups thrown in for good luck.
Wonder if FLW (Frank Lloyd Wright) ever got enough rebar in some of his structures. Hope you learned about him in your history of architect course.
