Frost Line Depth in Norfolk, Virginia
- 2 verified codes nearby
- Checked Oct 2026
No official local value
No official frost line depth is published for Norfolk.
Nearby official codes require 12–18 in (2 verified codes).
Source and how we checked
We searched this place’s own code and website and found no published frost line depth.
Climate: 32 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Norfolk NAS, 2.8 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
Does Norfolk have an official frost line depth?
No adopted frost line depth found for Norfolk in its official documents (checked Oct 2026). The nearest official values, from codes we verified, are 12 to 18 in. Use the deepest of them until the building department confirms Norfolk’s own number.
What frost line depth does Norfolk use for footings under Table R301.2(1)? Is it 12 in, like Hampton?
How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Norfolk?
Drawn with the deepest nearby official value (18 in). Confirm Norfolk’s own depth before you dig.
House or garage footing in Norfolk: dig at least 18 in (46 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).
| Project | Depth | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| House or garage footing | 18 in | Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4) |
| Deck footing (attached) | 18 in | Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3) |
| Water service line | 24 in | 6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5) |
| Fence post bottom | 18 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 Norfolk?
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Norfolk never averages a low below freezing. 32 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 34 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Norfolk Nas station, 2.8 mi away, elevation 17 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 34 | 35.4 | 41.3 | 50.3 | 59.5 | 68 | 72.6 | 71.5 | 66.7 | 55.5 | 44.7 | 37.9 |
| High | 50 | 52.8 | 59.4 | 69.5 | 77 | 84.4 | 88.7 | 86.3 | 80.8 | 71.7 | 61.4 | 53.9 |
Norfolk has fewer freezing nights than 22 of the 22 other Virginia places we track. The Virginia median is 94. Coldest: Shenandoah County; mildest: Norfolk.
What frost line depth do towns near Norfolk use?
2 official codes near Norfolk are verified; each links to its document.
| Place | Verified frost line | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton | 12 in | 9 mi away |
| Henrico County | 18 in | 68 mi away |
How likely is the soil in Norfolk to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Norfolk as 80% none, 20% low for frost action (main soils: State, Tomotley, Urban land).
USDA NRCS soil survey, 9 sample points within 2 mi. Higher frost action means more risk of heave; see frost heave.
Norfolk at a glance
- Frost line depth
- No official local value
- County
- Norfolk city
- Population (2023 est.)
- 230,930
- Mean annual temperature
- 61.4 °F
- ZIP codes (15)
- 23462 · 23502 · 23503 · 23504 · 23505 · 23507 · 23508 · 23509 · 23510 · 23511 · 23513 · 23517 · 23518 · 23523 · 23551