The concrete crew wet-set J-bolts in the stem wall at 8 feet on center and the closest bolt to each corner is about 30 inches from the end of where the sill plate will stop.

No, this is not good enough and likely violates code.

The Tapcon approach fails on multiple fronts:

Code Compliance:

• IBC 2308.8.2 requires anchor bolts to be installed per ASTM F1554 Grade 36 (wet-set J-bolts) with specific embedment depths and spacing.
• IRC R602.11 requires anchor bolts at corners and every 6 feet maximum spacing, with the first bolt within 12 inches of corner (not 30").

Structural Issues:

• 30-inch corner distance creates excessive lever arm, concentrating uplift forces on the two bolts nearest the corner.
• Tapcons (concrete screws) have significantly lower pullout strength than J-bolts and aren't designed for seismic/wind uplift loads.
• 8-foot spacing exceeds the 6-foot maximum for shear walls.

Required Fix: Install additional wet-set anchor bolts (ASTM F1554 Gr. 36) at:

• Maximum 6 feet on center along the wall
• Within 12 inches of each corner
• At 4 feet on center in corner regions (per engineering judgment)

If the existing J-bolts are too far from corners, you'll need to either:

1. Core drill and install new wet-set anchors, or
2. Epoxy-set threaded rods (ASTM F1554) as supplementary anchors

Bottom line: Tapcons won't provide adequate uplift resistance. This needs proper anchor bolt placement per code, or you risk structural failure under wind/seismic loads.

No. This is a code violation and a structural deficiency.

Code Requirements (IRC 2021/2024 R403.1.6 / IBC 2304.3.1):

1. Maximum Spacing: Anchor bolts ≤ 6 ft on center (you have 8 ft).
2. Edge Distance: Bolts must be within 12 inches of each plate end/splice (you have ~30 inches).
3. Minimum Diameter: ½-in. diameter minimum (verify J-bolt size).

Why Tapcons Are Not a Fix:

• Not Approved for Sill-to-Foundation: Standard Tapcons (blue concrete screws) are not listed in the IRC/IBC for anchoring sill plates to foundations in Seismic Design Categories (SDC) C–F, or for high-wind zones. They lack the embedment, shear capacity, and ductility of cast-in-place J-bolts or code-listed epoxy/set anchors.
• Withdrawal/Shear Risk: They strip out in green/soft concrete and fail in cross-grain bending of the sill plate.
• Inspector Rejection: Any building official will red-tag this.

Required Remediation (Do this before framing):

1. Post-Installed Anchors: Drill and epoxy code-listed adhesive anchors (e.g., Simpson SET-XP, AT-XP, or Hilti HIT-HY 200) with ½-in. threaded rod at compliant spacing (≤6 ft OC, ≤12 in. from ends). Embedment:* Typically 7–8 inches for ½-in. rod (check manufacturer’s ESR report).
2. Plate Washers: Install 3x3x0.229-in. plate washers (IRC R403.1.6) on all anchors (existing J-bolts + new epoxy anchors).
3. Layout: Place new anchors to satisfy 12-in. corner rule and 6-ft max spacing.

Do not frame until anchors are corrected. This is a life-safety item (lateral load path). If the concrete crew already left, the framer must stop and install epoxy anchors per an engineer’s letter or the manufacturer’s ICC-ES report.