Frost Line Depth in Lynnwood, Washington
- Lynnwood’s adopted code
- Checked Oct 2026
- Sources
Verified
18in
46 cm · 1 ft 6 in
Set in the building code Lynnwood has adopted.
Source and how we checked
Document: lynnwoodwa.gov
Climate: 29 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Everett Snohomish Airport, 5.5 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
How deep is the frost line in Lynnwood?
Lynnwood's building authority sets the frost line depth at 18 in (46 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 Lynnwood?
Washington leaves the frost line depth to each city or county, and Lynnwood fills it in when it adopts the residential code. The value above comes from Lynnwood’s own document on lynnwoodwa.gov. Snohomish County uses the same 18 in, so the depth does not change at the city limits. See how Washington sets frost line depth.
How deep do footings, decks and water lines need to be in Lynnwood?
House or garage footing in Lynnwood: 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 Lynnwood?
- J
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- A
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- D
Lynnwood never averages a low below freezing. 29 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Dec is coldest, with an average low of 36 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Everett Snohomish Airport station, 5.5 mi away, elevation 606 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 36.6 | 36.9 | 39 | 42.6 | 47.6 | 51.4 | 54.7 | 55.4 | 52.3 | 46 | 39.9 | 36 |
| High | 45.8 | 47.9 | 51.6 | 56.1 | 62.5 | 66.4 | 72.3 | 73 | 67.7 | 57.7 | 49.7 | 44.6 |
Lynnwood has fewer freezing nights than 39 of the 47 other Washington places we track. The Washington median is 54. Coldest: Chelan County; mildest: Lakewood.
What frost line depth do towns near Lynnwood use?
5 official codes near Lynnwood are verified; each links to its document.
| Place | Verified frost line | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Everett | 18 in | 11 mi away |
| Redmond | 12 in | 14 mi away |
| Lake Stevens | 12 in | 15 mi away |
| Marysville | 18 in | 19 mi away |
| Bremerton | 12 in | 28 mi away |
How likely is the soil in Lynnwood to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Lynnwood as 100% none for frost action (main soils: Alderwood, McKenna).
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 Lynnwood?
Lynnwood at a glance
- Frost line depth
- 18 in
- County
- Snohomish County
- Population (2023 est.)
- 43,867
- Mean annual temperature
- 51.4 °F
- ZIP codes (4)
- 98026 · 98036 · 98037 · 98087