LaPorte County, IN Frost Line Depth: 36 in

Verified

36in

91 cm · 3 ft

Set in the building code LaPorte County has adopted.

Source and how we checked

Document: laporteco.in.gov

Climate: 119 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Laporte, 4.4 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

1 of 1nearby verified codes use the same depth
119nights a year at or below 32 °F
43%of nearby soil rated “moderate” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in LaPorte County?

LaPorte County'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 LaPorte County?

Indiana sets frost line depth in its state code, and LaPorte County’s own document lists the value above (laporteco.in.gov). See how Indiana sets frost line depth.

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

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

Minimum depths in LaPorte County 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 LaPorte County?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Dec to Mar. 119 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 17.3 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Laporte station, 4.4 mi away, elevation 809 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	17.3	20.3	28.7	39.3	50	59.7	64	62.8	55.2	43.9	32.9	23.5
High	31.2	35.1	46	58.8	70	78.9	82.1	80.3	74.4	62	47.7	36.2

LaPorte County has fewer freezing nights than 28 of the 55 other Indiana places we track. The Indiana median is 120. Coldest: LaGrange County; mildest: Evansville.

What frost line depth do towns near LaPorte County use?

One official code near LaPorte County is verified.

Official frost line depths near LaPorte County
Place	Verified frost line	Distance
Porter County	36 in	17 mi away

How likely is the soil in LaPorte County to heave?

Low 33%Moderate 43%High 23%

USDA rates the sampled soil around LaPorte County as 33% low, 43% moderate, 23% high for frost action (main soils: Elston, Coupee, Tracy).

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 LaPorte County?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the LaPorte County 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.

LaPorte County at a glance

Frost line depth: 36 in
Population (2023 est.): 111,706
Mean annual temperature: 50 °F
ZIP codes (15): 46340 · 46345 · 46346 · 46348 · 46350 · 46360 · 46365 · 46371 · 46382 · 46390 · 46391 · 46532 · 46552 · 46554 · 46574