Salina, KS Frost Line Depth: 36 in

Verified

36in

91 cm · 3 ft

Set in the building code Salina has adopted.

Source and how we checked

Document: salina-ks.gov

Climate: 116 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Salina Municipal Airport, 2.1 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

116nights a year at or below 32 °F
50%of nearby soil rated “low” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Salina?

Salina'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 Salina?

Kansas leaves the frost line depth to each city or county, and Salina fills it in when it adopts the residential code. The value above comes from Salina’s own document on salina-ks.gov. See how Kansas sets frost line depth.

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

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

Minimum depths in Salina 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 Salina?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Dec to Feb. 116 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 20.1 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Salina Municipal Airport station, 2.1 mi away, elevation 1,269 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	20.1	23.6	33.2	42.3	53.4	64.2	69.1	67.1	58.2	44.9	32.1	22.6
High	41.4	46.3	57.3	66.9	76.8	88.1	92.8	90.1	81.9	69.1	55.1	43.2

Salina has fewer freezing nights than 3 of the 7 other Kansas places we track. The Kansas median is 116. Coldest: Leavenworth County; mildest: Wichita.

How likely is the soil in Salina to heave?

Low 50%Moderate 48%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Salina as 50% low, 48% moderate, 1% high for frost action (main soils: Detroit, Roxbury, Crete).

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 Salina?

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

Salina at a glance

Frost line depth: 36 in
County: Saline County
Population (2023 est.): 45,792
Mean annual temperature: 55.8 °F
ZIP codes (2): 67401 · 67470