Frost Line Depth in Burlington, VT: 60 in Under the Vermont State Code

State-set value

60in

152 cm · 5 ft

60 in Under the Vermont State Code

Set by the state: Vermont Building Code §1809.5 (state code; covers public buildings incl. rental housing — not owner-occupied single-family homes).

Vermont’s state code covers public buildings and rental housing, not owner-occupied single-family homes. For your own home, ask the town.

Source and how we checked

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

Document: up.codes

Climate: 145 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Burlington International Airport, 4.7 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

145nights a year at or below 32 °F
41%of nearby soil rated “low” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Burlington?

Vermont's state building code requires foundations at least 60 in (152 cm, 5 ft) below finished grade for the buildings it covers (public buildings, including rental housing); owner-occupied single-family homes in Burlington follow the town's own code, if it has one. Footings, piers and other permanent supports must reach at least this depth (IRC R403.1.4.1).

Who sets the frost line depth in Burlington?

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

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Burlington: dig at least 60 in (152 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Burlington with a 60 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	60 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	60 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	66 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	60 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 Burlington?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Dec to Mar. 145 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 12.9 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Burlington International Airport station, 4.7 mi away, elevation 330 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	12.9	14.3	23.6	35.9	47.8	57.3	62.4	60.7	52.9	41.8	32.1	21.3
High	28.9	31.5	40.9	55.3	69	77.6	82.4	80.7	72.6	58.9	46.4	35

How likely is the soil in Burlington to heave?

Low 41%Moderate 20%High 39%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Burlington as 41% low, 20% moderate, 39% high for frost action (main soils: Beaches, Winooski, Limerick).

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 Burlington?

Call 811 at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Burlington building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 60 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Burlington at a glance

Frost line depth: 60 in Under the Vermont State Code
County: Chittenden County
Population (2023 est.): 44,528
Mean annual temperature: 47.6 °F
ZIP codes (4): 05401 · 05403 · 05405 · 05408