It would also be interesting to find out what tree(s) you were thinking of planting and how far from the bldg. would it be?

I've not published anything on it! I did cite a book on the subject (Cutler & Richardson, 1991. Tree Roots and Buildings ISBN 0-582-03410-8).

A lot depends on the species, and even more on the soil conditions.

Clay is the worst (it shrinks when roots abstract the water from it, leaving foundations unsupported), and the worst trees are deep-rooted species with high water demand like willows and poplars.

Resin

I scanned this from a book published recently* here :

{{gwi:395148}}

And translated titles/captions as best as I could (my English isn't getting any better - Resin, please feel free to make this more comprehensible, it should be easy ;-) :

Dangerosité des principaux arbres d'ornement vis-à -vis des dégâts racinaires sur immeubles (Cutler et Richardson, 1989)
Dangerousness of main landscape trees concerning root damage to buildings (Cutler and Richardson, 1989)

Genres
Genus

Distance maximale des dégâts (m)
Maximum distance damage may occur (m)

Distance au-dessous de laquelle 50% des dégâts ont été constatés (m)
Distance below/under which 50% of damage has been observed (m)

% des dégâts liés à l'essence considérée (1)
% of damage due to/confered on this genus

% de l'essence dans la population (2)
% of this genus in the population (2)

Coefficient de dangerosité = (1) : (2)
Dangerousness factor

*© "Les Racines, Face cachée des arbres", coordinated by Christophe Drénou, Institut pour le Développement Forestier. ISBN 2-9047-4092-9.

Let me see if I'm interpreting that correctly.

The maximum distance damage may occur with the Acer genus is approximately 66 feet? Doesn't everyone have a maple within 66' of their foundation?

Not me.
Oaks, pecans, and walnuts - and even a hackberry, but no maples.

Wouldn't the type of foundation you have also be a big factor. I would think homes in the south with concrete slabs with thickened perimeters would be more susceptable to damage than homes in the north with 8' foundation walls and footings. The roots would have to penetrate deeper in homes with full basements. Maybe it's flawed logic - correct me if I'm wrong please.

I'm sure it also depends on the species and depth of the root structure.

A lot of the reports regarding tree root damage to foundations is due to a misunderstanding of how tree roots grow and what is actually impacting the foundation. As resin states, it is far more likely to become a problem in certain types of clay soils than it is in other soils and also more likely to become a problem if the foundation is not structurally sound to begin with or is a shallow or slab type.

It is a large generalization, but barring specific clay soil conditions, structures with a well designed, deep foundation as is found with most recently built homes will not be damaged by tree roots. Common sense should govern how close the tree in question can or should be planted to the structure, but that's more of an issue with damage resulting from the top growth or the impact on the health of the tree itself.

Tree roots lifting or damaging sidewalks, patios or driveways is an entirely different issue and can occur with all sorts of species, as many trees can and will develop extensive and large surface roots.

The following link is one of the best I've read on the subject. Although it is written for a specific area, the information is accurate and very applicable for more universal approach.

Here is a link that might be useful: tree roots and foundations