Frost Line Depth in Howard County, IN: 30 in (Indiana rule)

State-set value

30in

76 cm · 2 ft 6 in

30 in (Indiana rule)

Set by the state: Indiana Residential Code Table R301.2(1), Howard County (state sets the whole design table).

Source and how we checked

Howard County does not publish its own value; the state rule applies.

Document: codes.iccsafe.org

Climate: 131 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Kokomo 3 Wsw, 3.7 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

131nights a year at or below 32 °F
77%of nearby soil rated “high” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Howard County?

Indiana sets the frost footing depth for Howard County at 30 in (76 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 Howard County?

Indiana writes this depth into its statewide residential code, so Howard County’s building department enforces the state’s number rather than setting its own. See how Indiana sets frost line depth.

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Howard County: dig at least 30 in (76 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Howard County with a 30 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	30 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	30 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	36 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	30 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 Howard County?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Mar. 131 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 16.7 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Kokomo 3 Wsw station, 3.7 mi away, elevation 822 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	16.7	19.3	28.1	38.5	50.1	59.6	62.5	60.5	53.1	41.8	31.5	22.8
High	32.5	36.9	48.7	61.9	72.6	81	83.7	82.3	77.2	64.7	49.9	37.6

Howard County has more freezing nights than 47 of the 55 other Indiana places we track. The Indiana median is 120. Coldest: LaGrange County; mildest: Evansville.

How likely is the soil in Howard County to heave?

Moderate 23%High 77%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Howard County as 23% moderate, 77% high for frost action (main soils: Crosby, Brookston, Treaty).

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 Howard County?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Howard County building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 30 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Howard County at a glance

Frost line depth: 30 in (Indiana rule)
Population (2023 est.): 83,831
Mean annual temperature: 50.6 °F
ZIP codes (12): 46068 · 46076 · 46901 · 46902 · 46919 · 46928 · 46929 · 46932 · 46936 · 46937 · 46965 · 46979