Frost Line Depth in Littleton, CO: Nearby Codes Require 36 in

No official local value

No official frost line depth is published for Littleton.

Nearby official codes require 36 in (2 verified codes).

Source and how we checked

We searched this place’s own code and website and found no published frost line depth.

Climate: 147 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Marston Fltr Plt, 3.2 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

36 in2 verified codes within 25 mi
147nights a year at or below 32 °F
63%of nearby soil rated “low” for frost action (USDA)

Does Littleton have an official frost line depth?

No adopted frost line depth found for Littleton in its official documents (checked Oct 2026). The nearest official values, from codes we verified, are 36 in. Use the deepest of them until the building department confirms Littleton’s own number.

What frost line depth does Littleton use for footings under Table R301.2(1)? Is it 36 in, like Douglas County?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Littleton building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 36 in (the deepest nearby value) unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

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

Drawn with the deepest nearby official value (36 in). Confirm Littleton’s own depth before you dig.

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Littleton: dig at least 36 in (91 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Using the nearby official value of 36 in until Littleton confirms its own
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	36 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	36 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	42 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	36 in	No 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 Littleton?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Mar. 147 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 19.3 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Marston Fltr Plt station, 3.2 mi away, elevation 5,610 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	19.3	20.3	28.1	34.5	43.8	53.4	59.5	57.5	48.7	36.7	27.7	20.2
High	45.8	46.5	54.6	60.1	69	80.8	86.4	85	77.2	64.2	53.4	45.4

Littleton has fewer freezing nights than 14 of the 14 other Colorado places we track. The Colorado median is 176. Coldest: Eagle County; mildest: Littleton.

What frost line depth do towns near Littleton use?

2 official codes near Littleton are verified; each links to its document.

Official frost line depths near Littleton
Place	Verified frost line	Distance
Douglas County	36 in	19 mi away
Broomfield	36 in	25 mi away

How likely is the soil in Littleton to heave?

Low 63%Moderate 37%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Littleton as 63% low, 37% moderate for frost action (main soils: Manzanola, Blakeland, Fondis).

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

Littleton at a glance

Frost line depth: No official local value
County: Arapahoe County
Population (2023 est.): 44,451
Mean annual temperature: 50.8 °F
ZIP codes (8): 80110 · 80120 · 80121 · 80122 · 80123 · 80127 · 80128 · 80129