Frost Line Depth in Wood 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
Wood County does not publish its own value; the state rule applies.
Document: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Climate: 163 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020, Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Fld, 12.2 mi).
Checked Oct 2026. Report a correction
How deep is the frost line in Wood County?
Wisconsin sets the frost footing depth for Wood 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 Wood County?
Wisconsin writes this depth into its statewide residential code, so Wood 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 Wood County?
House or garage footing in Wood County: dig at least 48 in (122 cm). Below the frost line and at least 12 in deep (IRC R403.1.4).
| 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 Wood County?
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Average lows are at or below freezing from Nov to Mar. 163 nights a year reach 32 °F or colder; Jan is coldest, with an average low of 7.7 °F.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Fld station, 12.2 mi away, elevation 1,019 ft.
Monthly temperatures as a table
| °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 7.7 | 10.5 | 21.7 | 32.9 | 44.6 | 54.8 | 58.8 | 57.1 | 48.7 | 37.1 | 25.6 | 14.2 |
| High | 24.5 | 29.1 | 41.5 | 55.7 | 68.5 | 78.1 | 82.4 | 79.7 | 71.8 | 57.9 | 42.5 | 29.5 |
Wood County has more freezing nights than 41 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 Wood County use?
One official code near Wood County is verified.
| Place | Verified frost line | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa County | 48 in | 74 mi away |
How likely is the soil in Wood County to heave?
USDA rates the sampled soil around Wood County as 10% low, 12% moderate, 78% high for frost action (main soils: Vesper, Veedum, Norgo).
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 Wood County?
Wood County at a glance
- Frost line depth
- 48 in (Wisconsin rule)
- Population (2023 est.)
- 73,939
- Mean annual temperature
- 44.8 °F
- ZIP codes (15)
- 54410 · 54412 · 54413 · 54420 · 54441 · 54443 · 54449 · 54454 · 54457 · 54466 · 54469 · 54475 · 54489 · 54494 · 54495