Frost Line Depth in Medford, Oregon
- Medford’s adopted code
- Checked Oct 2026
- Sources
Verified
12in
30 cm · 1 ft
Set in the building code Medford has adopted.
Source and how we checked
Document: medfordoregon.gov
Climate: 64 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Medford Rogue Vly Airport, 3.2 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
How deep is the frost line in Medford?
Medford's building authority sets the frost line depth 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 Medford?
Oregon sets frost line depth in its state code, and Medford’s own document lists the value above (medfordoregon.gov). See how Oregon sets frost line depth.
How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Medford?
House or garage footing in Medford: dig at least 12 in (30 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).
| 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 Medford?
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Medford never averages a low below freezing. 64 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 32.5 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Medford Rogue Vly Airport station, 3.2 mi away, elevation 1,297 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 32.5 | 33.9 | 37.2 | 41 | 46.9 | 52.3 | 58.6 | 57.9 | 51.2 | 42.1 | 36.4 | 32.6 |
| High | 48.2 | 54.2 | 59.4 | 64.6 | 73.9 | 81.5 | 91.6 | 91.1 | 84.3 | 70.1 | 54 | 46.1 |
Medford has more freezing nights than 13 of the 22 other Oregon places we track. The Oregon median is 54. Coldest: Deschutes County; mildest: Lincoln County.
How likely is the soil in Medford to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Medford as 3% none, 97% low for frost action (main soils: Carney, Agate, Padigan).
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 Medford?
Medford at a glance
- Frost line depth
- 12 in
- County
- Jackson County
- Population (2023 est.)
- 85,098
- Mean annual temperature
- 55.9 °F
- ZIP codes (3)
- 97501 · 97502 · 97504