Frost Line Depth in Owensboro, KY: 24 in (Kentucky rule)

State-set value

24in

61 cm · 2 ft

24 in (Kentucky rule)

Set by the state: Kentucky Residential Code Table R403.1.4, all other counties.

Source and how we checked

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

Document: codes.iccsafe.org

Climate: 83 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Calhoun Lock 2, 17.6 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

83nights a year at or below 32 °F
87%of nearby soil rated “high” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Owensboro?

Kentucky sets the frost footing depth for Owensboro at 24 in (61 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 Owensboro?

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

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Owensboro: dig at least 24 in (61 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Owensboro with a 24 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	24 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	24 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	30 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	24 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 Owensboro?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Dec to Feb. 83 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 26.1 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Calhoun Lock 2 station, 17.6 mi away, elevation 402 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	26.1	29.5	37.2	46.9	56.8	64.7	67.8	66.5	59	47.3	36.3	30.6
High	42.5	46.7	57.1	68.2	76.8	84.3	87.2	86.5	81.7	70.3	56.5	46

Owensboro has fewer freezing nights than 14 of the 20 other Kentucky places we track. The Kentucky median is 90. Coldest: Shelby County; mildest: Barren County.

How likely is the soil in Owensboro to heave?

None 13%High 87%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Owensboro as 13% none, 87% high for frost action (main soils: Alford, Water, Udorthents).

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 Owensboro?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Owensboro building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 24 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Owensboro at a glance

Frost line depth: 24 in (Kentucky rule)
County: Daviess County
Population (2023 est.): 60,140
Mean annual temperature: 57.2 °F
ZIP codes (2): 42301 · 42303