Frost Line Depth in Bullhead City, Arizona

  • Bullhead City’s adopted code
  • Checked Oct 2026
  • Sources

Verified

0in

No frost depth required

Set in the building code Bullhead City has adopted.

Footings still go at least 12 in (30 cm) below undisturbed ground (IRC R403.1.4).

Source and how we checked

Document: bullheadcityaz.gov

Climate: 2 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Bullhead City, 1.2 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

How deep is the frost line in Bullhead City?

Bullhead City's building authority sets the frost line depth at 0 in (0 cm). Footings, piers and other permanent supports still go at least 12 in below undisturbed ground (IRC R403.1.4).

Who sets the frost line depth in Bullhead City?

Arizona has no statewide residential code, so Bullhead City adopts its own and fills in the frost line depth. The value above comes from Bullhead City’s own document on bullheadcityaz.gov. Mohave County uses the same 0 in, so the depth does not change at the city limits. See how Arizona sets frost line depth.

How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Bullhead City?

Project
House or garage footing in Bullhead City: dig at least 12 in. grade 0 in 122436486072 12 in code minimum frost line 0 in dig 12 in

House or garage footing in Bullhead City: dig at least 12 in (30 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Bullhead City with a 0 in frost line
ProjectDepthRule
House or garage footing12 inBelow the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)12 inBelow the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line12 in6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom12 inNo code rule; common practice is below the frost line

Work out posts, concrete and footing sizes with the fence post depth calculator or the deck footing calculator.

How cold does it get in Bullhead City?

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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  12. D
0°32°120° J F M A M J J A S O N D 32 °F

Bullhead City never averages a low below freezing. 2 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Dec is coldest, with an average low of 43.9 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Bullhead City station, 1.2 mi away, elevation 531 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table
°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low44.846.650.656.765.873.381.180.872.661.250.543.9
High6569.878.687.496.3106.7110.7109.3102.789.474.263.6
0202 nightsBullhead City 2

Bullhead City has fewer freezing nights than 33 of the 35 other Arizona places we track. The Arizona median is 12. Coldest: Flagstaff; mildest: Yuma.

What frost line depth do towns near Bullhead City use?

One official code near Bullhead City is verified.

Official frost line depths near Bullhead City
PlaceVerified frost lineDistance
Mohave County 0 in 61 mi away

How likely is the soil in Bullhead City to heave?

USDA rates the sampled soil around Bullhead City as 96% none, 4% low for frost action (main soils: Huevi, Carrizo, Carrwash).

USDA NRCS soil survey, 9 sample points within 2 mi. Higher frost action means more risk of heave; see frost heave.

How do you confirm the frost line before you dig in Bullhead City?

Bullhead City at a glance

Frost line depth
0 in
County
Mohave County
Population (2023 est.)
43,302
Mean annual temperature
74.2 °F
ZIP codes (2)
86429 · 86442