Frost Line Depth in Pike County, KY: 33 in (Kentucky rule)

State-set value

33in

84 cm · 2 ft 9 in

33 in (Kentucky rule)

Set by the state: Kentucky Residential Code Table R403.1.4, Pike County.

Source and how we checked

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

Document: codes.iccsafe.org

Climate: 95 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Williamson, 14.9 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

95nights a year at or below 32 °F
76%of nearby soil rated “moderate” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Pike County?

Kentucky sets the frost footing depth for Pike County at 33 in (84 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 Pike County?

Kentucky writes this depth into its statewide residential code, so Pike County’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 Pike County?

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Pike County: dig at least 33 in (84 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Pike County with a 33 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	33 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	33 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	39 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	33 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 Pike County?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Dec to Feb. 95 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 25.8 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Williamson station, 14.9 mi away, elevation 760 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	25.8	29	34.5	43.5	53.9	62.5	66.5	65.6	59	46.6	34.9	30.1
High	46.5	50.7	59.7	71.7	78.6	85.3	88.6	87.6	82.2	71.5	61	50.2

Pike County has more freezing nights than 13 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 Pike County to heave?

None 23%Moderate 76%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Pike County as 23% none, 1% low, 76% moderate for frost action (main soils: Marrowbone, Clifftop, Matewan).

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 Pike County?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Pike County building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 33 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Pike County at a glance

Frost line depth: 33 in (Kentucky rule)
Population (2023 est.): 55,973
Mean annual temperature: 57.7 °F
ZIP codes (39): 41501 · 41503 · 41512 · 41513 · 41514 · 41519 · 41522 · 41524 · 41526 · 41527 · 41528 · 41531 · 41534 · 41535 · 41537 · 41538 · 41539 · 41540 · 41543 · 41544 · 41547 · 41548 · 41553 · 41554 · 41555 · 41557 · 41558 · 41559 · 41560 · 41562 · 41563 · 41564 · 41566 · 41567 · 41568 · 41571 · 41572 · 41605 · 41659