Frost Line Depth in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin state rule
Checked Oct 2026
Sources

State-set value

48in

122 cm · 4 ft

48 in (Wisconsin rule)

Set by the state: Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code SPS 321.16 (minimum; deeper where frost goes deeper).

Source and how we checked

Eau Claire County does not publish its own value; the state rule applies.

Document: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov

Climate: 168 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Augusta Rs, 8 mi).

Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction

Footings Deck Water line Fence post

1 of 1nearby verified codes use the same depth
168nights a year at or below 32 °F
67%of nearby soil rated “high” for frost action (USDA)

How deep is the frost line in Eau Claire County?

Wisconsin sets the frost footing depth for Eau Claire County at 48 in (122 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 Eau Claire County?

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

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

House or garage footing Deck footing Water service line Fence post

House or garage footing in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County?

Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Mar. 168 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 3.8 °F.

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Augusta Rs station, 8 mi away, elevation 960 ft.

Monthly temperatures as a table

°F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Low	3.8	6.3	19.4	32.8	45.3	55.6	58.9	56.9	48.4	35.3	23.9	11.3
High	22.2	26.8	39.5	54.3	67.6	77.2	81.6	78.8	70.3	56.5	40.8	27.7

Eau Claire County has more freezing nights than 47 of the 52 other Wisconsin places we track. The Wisconsin median is 150. Coldest: Marinette County; mildest: Racine.

What frost line depth do towns near Eau Claire County use?

One official code near Eau Claire County is verified.

Official frost line depths near Eau Claire County
Place	Verified frost line	Distance
Chippewa County	48 in	24 mi away

How likely is the soil in Eau Claire County to heave?

Low 20%Moderate 13%High 67%

USDA rates the sampled soil around Eau Claire County as 20% low, 13% moderate, 67% high for frost action (main soils: Seaton, Northfield, Curran).

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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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.

Eau Claire County at a glance

Frost line depth: 48 in (Wisconsin rule)
Population (2023 est.): 107,903
Mean annual temperature: 43.4 °F
ZIP codes (15): 54701 · 54703 · 54720 · 54722 · 54726 · 54727 · 54729 · 54738 · 54739 · 54741 · 54742 · 54755 · 54758 · 54768 · 54770