Frost Line Depth in Linn County, OR: 12 in (Oregon rule)

State-set value

12in

30 cm · 1 ft

12 in (Oregon rule)

Set by the state: Oregon Residential Specialty Code Table R301.2(1), Linn County.

Source and how we checked

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

Document: codes.iccsafe.org

Climate: 79 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Cascadia, 7.3 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

2 of 2nearby verified codes use the same depth
79nights a year at or below 32 °F
67%of nearby soil rated “low” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Linn County?

Oregon sets the frost footing depth for Linn County at 12 in (30 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 Linn County?

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

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

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

Minimum depths in Linn County with a 12 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	12 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	12 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	18 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	12 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 Linn County?

Linn County never averages a low below freezing. 79 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 32.6 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Cascadia station, 7.3 mi away, elevation 960 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	32.6	32.7	34.3	36.9	42	45.7	49.1	47.5	43.9	39.3	35.3	32.6
High	45.2	49.8	53.6	58.4	65	69.7	78.9	79.9	73.8	62	50.2	43.8

Linn County has more freezing nights than 16 of the 22 other Oregon places we track. The Oregon median is 54. Coldest: Deschutes County; mildest: Lincoln County.

What frost line depth do towns near Linn County use?

2 official codes near Linn County are verified; each links to its document.

Official frost line depths near Linn County
Place	Verified frost line	Distance
Marion County	12 in	29 mi away
Corvallis	12 in	37 mi away

How likely is the soil in Linn County to heave?

Low 67%High 33%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Linn County as 67% low, 33% high for frost action (main soils: Blachly, Cruiser, Keel).

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 Linn County?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Linn County building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 12 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Linn County at a glance

Frost line depth: 12 in (Oregon rule)
Population (2023 est.): 131,496
Mean annual temperature: 50.1 °F
ZIP codes (22): 97321 · 97322 · 97327 · 97329 · 97333 · 97335 · 97336 · 97345 · 97346 · 97348 · 97350 · 97352 · 97355 · 97358 · 97360 · 97374 · 97377 · 97383 · 97386 · 97389 · 97446 · 97759