Am I required to use footings when building a deck or can I just have the posts resting on the ground? (Wisconsin)
So I was able to get confirmation on an answer from a local building inspector. As per Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 321.15(2)(f)


  (f) Deck footings. Decks attached to dwellings and detached decks which serve an exit shall be supported on a structural system designed to transmit and safely distribute the loads to the soil. Footings shall be sized to not exceed the allowable material stresses. The bearing area shall be at least equal to the area required to transfer the loads to the supporting soil without exceeding the bearing values of the soil.


SPS 321.15(2)(f)

So in essence, if there is a door that leads onto the deck it must have proper footings in the ground (as explained to me).