Parker, CO Frost Line Depth: 36 in

Verified

36in

91 cm · 3 ft

Set in the building code Parker has adopted.

Source and how we checked

Document: parkerco.gov

Climate: 177 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Parker, 1.5 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

2 of 2nearby verified codes use the same depth
177nights a year at or below 32 °F
55%of nearby soil rated “moderate” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Parker?

Parker's building authority sets the frost line depth at 36 in (91 cm). Footings, piers and other permanent supports must reach at least this depth (IRC R403.1.4.1).

Who sets the frost line depth in Parker?

Colorado leaves the frost line depth to each city or county, and Parker fills it in when it adopts the residential code. The value above comes from Parker’s own document on parkerco.gov. Douglas County uses the same 36 in, so the depth does not change at the city limits. See how Colorado sets frost line depth.

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

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

Minimum depths in Parker with a 36 in frost line
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 Parker?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Apr. 177 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Dec is coldest, with an average low of 14.2 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Parker station, 1.5 mi away, elevation 5,904 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	14.9	16.9	24.3	31.3	40.3	49.6	55.1	53.6	44.9	32.3	22.4	14.2
High	47	49.3	57.2	64.1	72.3	83.4	87.9	85.2	78.9	67.1	54.6	46.8

Parker has more freezing nights than 8 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 Parker use?

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

Official frost line depths near Parker
Place	Verified frost line	Distance
Douglas County	36 in	15 mi away
Arapahoe County	36 in	26 mi away

How likely is the soil in Parker to heave?

Low 45%Moderate 55%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Parker as 45% low, 55% moderate for frost action (main soils: Newlin, Satanta, Bresser).

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 Parker?

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

Parker at a glance

Frost line depth: 36 in
County: Douglas County
Population (2023 est.): 62,743
Mean annual temperature: 49.7 °F
ZIP codes (3): 80112 · 80134 · 80138