Frost Line Depth in Murray, Utah
- Murray’s adopted code
- Checked Oct 2026
- Sources
Verified
30in
76 cm · 2 ft 6 in
Set in the building code Murray has adopted.
Source and how we checked
Document: murray.utah.gov
Climate: 112 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Cottonwood Weir, 5.8 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
How deep is the frost line in Murray?
Murray's building authority sets the frost line depth at 30 in (76 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 Murray?
Utah leaves the frost line depth to each city or county, and Murray fills it in when it adopts the residential code. The value above comes from Murray’s own document on murray.utah.gov. Salt Lake County uses the same 30 in, so the depth does not change at the city limits. See how Utah sets frost line depth.
How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Murray?
House or garage footing in Murray: dig at least 30 in (76 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).
| Project | Depth | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| House or garage footing | 30 in | Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4) |
| Deck footing (attached) | 30 in | Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3) |
| Water service line | 36 in | 6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5) |
| Fence post bottom | 30 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 Murray?
- J
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Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Feb. 112 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 22.8 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Cottonwood Weir station, 5.8 mi away, elevation 4,986 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 22.8 | 27 | 34.2 | 39.5 | 48.2 | 57.3 | 67.5 | 65.9 | 56.4 | 43.4 | 31.5 | 23.1 |
| High | 38.1 | 44.1 | 53.9 | 60.7 | 70.6 | 81.9 | 90.7 | 88.6 | 78.7 | 64.2 | 49.1 | 38.3 |
Murray has fewer freezing nights than 18 of the 25 other Utah places we track. The Utah median is 118. Coldest: Summit County; mildest: St. George.
What frost line depth do towns near Murray use?
5 official codes near Murray are verified; each links to its document.
| Place | Verified frost line | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Millcreek | 30 in | 4 mi away |
| West Jordan | 30 in | 7 mi away |
| South Jordan | 30 in | 8 mi away |
| Salt Lake City | 30 in | 9 mi away |
| Riverton | 30 in | 10 mi away |
How likely is the soil in Murray to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Murray as 31% moderate, 69% high for frost action (main soils: Chipman, Knutsen, Parleys).
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 Murray?
Murray at a glance
- Frost line depth
- 30 in
- County
- Salt Lake County
- Population (2023 est.)
- 49,553
- Mean annual temperature
- 53.2 °F
- ZIP codes (5)
- 84047 · 84107 · 84117 · 84121 · 84123