Chippewa County, WI Frost Line Depth: 48 in

Verified

48in

122 cm · 4 ft

Set in the building code Chippewa County has adopted.

Source and how we checked

Document: chippewacountywi.gov

Climate: 158 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Jim Falls 3Nw, 2.5 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

158nights a year at or below 32 °F
72%of nearby soil rated “moderate” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Chippewa County?

"{confirmed quote}". Footings, piers and other permanent supports must reach at least this depth (IRC R403.1.4.1).

Who sets the frost line depth in Chippewa County?

Wisconsin sets a statewide minimum, and Chippewa County’s code applies it locally. See how Wisconsin sets frost line depth.

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Chippewa County: dig at least 48 in (122 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).

Minimum depths in Chippewa County with a 48 in frost line
Project	Depth	Rule
House or garage footing	48 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4)
Deck footing (attached)	48 in	Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R507.3)
Water service line	54 in	6 in below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC P2603.5)
Fence post bottom	48 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 Chippewa County?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Mar. 158 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 6.9 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Jim Falls 3nw station, 2.5 mi away, elevation 1,070 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	6.9	9.4	21.2	33.2	45	54.8	59.1	57.2	49.4	37.7	26	13.7
High	23.4	28	40.4	54.3	67.5	76.6	80.7	78.7	71.6	57.6	41.2	29

Chippewa County has more freezing nights than 36 of the 52 other Wisconsin places we track. The Wisconsin median is 150. Coldest: Marinette County; mildest: Racine.

How likely is the soil in Chippewa County to heave?

Moderate 72%High 26%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Chippewa County as 2% low, 72% moderate, 26% high for frost action (main soils: Alban, Scott Lake, Seelyeville).

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 Chippewa County?

Call 811 (Diggers Hotline) at least a few working days before you dig, so buried lines are marked.
Confirm the frost line depth with the Chippewa County building department.
Ask whether your project needs a permit (decks, larger sheds and footings usually do).
Dig below 48 in unless the building department tells you otherwise.
Book the footing inspection before you pour concrete.

Chippewa County at a glance

Frost line depth: 48 in
Population (2023 est.): 66,970
Mean annual temperature: 44.3 °F
ZIP codes (14): 54433 · 54703 · 54724 · 54726 · 54727 · 54729 · 54730 · 54732 · 54739 · 54745 · 54748 · 54757 · 54766 · 54768