Frost Line Depth in Odessa, Texas
- Odessa’s adopted code
- Checked Oct 2026
- Sources
Verified
12in
30 cm · 1 ft
Set in the building code Odessa has adopted.
Source and how we checked
Document: odessa-tx.gov
Climate: 44 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Odessa, 0.8 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
How deep is the frost line in Odessa?
Odessa'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 Odessa?
Texas leaves the frost line depth to each city or county, and Odessa fills it in when it adopts the residential code. The value above comes from Odessa’s own document on odessa-tx.gov. See how Texas sets frost line depth.
How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Odessa?
House or garage footing in Odessa: 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 Odessa?
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Odessa never averages a low below freezing. 44 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 32.2 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Odessa station, 0.8 mi away, elevation 2,910 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 32.2 | 36.2 | 44 | 50.9 | 61 | 68.1 | 70.8 | 69.9 | 62.4 | 53.1 | 41.4 | 33.3 |
| High | 56.9 | 62 | 70.8 | 79.3 | 86.6 | 94 | 94 | 92.9 | 85.3 | 77 | 66 | 57.9 |
Odessa has more freezing nights than 126 of the 168 other Texas places we track. The Texas median is 32. Coldest: Amarillo; mildest: Brownsville.
How likely is the soil in Odessa to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Odessa as 100% none for frost action (main soils: Faskin, Kimbrough, Stegall).
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 Odessa?
Odessa at a glance
- Frost line depth
- 12 in
- County
- Ector County
- Population (2023 est.)
- 115,743
- Mean annual temperature
- 64.4 °F
- ZIP codes (9)
- 79706 · 79707 · 79758 · 79761 · 79762 · 79763 · 79764 · 79765 · 79766