Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - paver porch question

I have been told that I need a 42 inch footing for a front porch that I am planning to build, it will be 6' X 10', then when I was talking to the paver place they said I don't need footings for that size and that all I have to do is com[pact it really good underneath and go up, just like a retaining wall, is this tru? do I need footings for this porch, it will only be 15" high.

Thanks,

A 42" deep footing is because you are in an area where frost is a concern -- no -- FROST is a fact of life for you!! The SIZE of the porch has nothing to do with it. You need the footing depth to get below the frost line, or the porch will heave.

Now, tell us where you are at. I'm in CA -- frost is not an issue in about 90% of the state. In some parts of Alaska, a 42" deep footing is little more than a scratch in the soil. (Some of the footings under that pipeline are over 20' deep!!)