Frostline.info

Frost line depth in Cumberland County, Maine

Frost reaches about 38 inches in typical soil across Cumberland County, from 37″ in the mildest ZIP code to 48″ in the coldest. Codes in this climate commonly set footing depth at 30 to 48 inches.

Source: NOAA 100-year air freezing index (1951–80 station records) · Last reviewed

Deep frost
Estimated frost depth
38″
typical silt/loam soil
Typical code footing depth
30–48″
rule of thumb for this climate
Design freezing index
1,468
°F-days, 100-year winter
ZIP codes covered
37
#12 of 16 counties in ME (1 = deepest)
38″ 0″12″24″36″48″60″ ground frozen
Est. frost (typical soil) Typical code footing depth Clay–sand range

Frost depth by soil type

Soil typeEst. frost depth
Sand / gravel (drains well)48″
Silt / loam (typical yard soil)38″
Clay (holds water)32″

County average. Methodology.

Verify before you dig. These are climate-based estimates. The legally required frost depth is the figure your building department publishes in its IRC Table R301.2 (climatic and geographic design criteria). Call the Cumberland County building or permitting office in Maine and call 811 before digging.

Frost depth by ZIP code in Cumberland County

ZIPCityEst. frostCode range
04003Bailey Island37″30–48″
04009Bridgton48″42–60″
04011Brunswick38″30–48″
04013Bustins Island37″30–48″
04015Casco37″30–48″
04017Chebeague Island37″30–48″
04021Cumberland Center37″30–48″
04024East Baldwin39″30–48″
04029Sebago38″30–48″
04032Freeport37″30–48″
04038Gorham37″30–48″
04039Gray37″30–48″
04040Harrison40″36–54″
04050Long Island37″30–48″
04055Naples38″30–48″
04062Windham37″30–48″
04066Orrs Island37″30–48″
04069Pownal37″30–48″
04071Raymond37″30–48″
04074Scarborough37″30–48″
04079Harpswell37″30–48″
04084Standish37″30–48″
04085Steep Falls37″30–48″
04091West Baldwin39″30–48″
04092Westbrook37″30–48″
04096Yarmouth37″30–48″
04097North Yarmouth37″30–48″
04101Portland37″30–48″
04102Portland37″30–48″
04103Portland37″30–48″
04105Falmouth37″30–48″
04106South Portland37″30–48″
04107Cape Elizabeth37″30–48″
04108Peaks Island37″30–48″
04109Portland37″30–48″
04110Cumberland Foreside37″30–48″
04260New Gloucester37″30–48″

What this means for your project in Cumberland County

Deck footings & piers

Footings must bear below the frost line and at least 12″ below undisturbed ground. For planning in this area, budget for holes around 48″ deep until your permit office confirms the exact figure.

Fence posts

Set posts at least one-third of their above-ground height. Where frost heave is a problem, carry concrete footings below the frost line (about 38″ here in typical soil) and bell or taper the bottom.

Water & irrigation lines

Bury supply lines below the frost depth. Your water utility or plumbing code sets the minimum cover; in a climate this cold, 4 feet or more is common for service lines.

Slabs & frost-protected foundations

Frost-protected shallow foundations (IRC R403.3) use the 100-year air freezing index — 1,468 °F-days here — to size perimeter insulation, letting footings sit shallower than the frost line.

Weather stations used

NOAA weather stationDistance100-yr AFI
Portland, ME10 mi1,407
Lewiston, ME21 mi1,401
Gardiner, ME39 mi1,643
Rumford 1 Sse, ME52 mi1,840

Nearby counties

Common questions

What is the frost line depth in Cumberland County?

About 38 inches in typical soil, based on NOAA's 100-year air freezing index. Across the county's ZIP codes the estimate runs from 37 to 48 inches.

How deep should footings be in Cumberland County, Maine?

Codes in climates like this commonly require 30 to 48 inches. The Cumberland County building department publishes the required frost depth in its adopted code (IRC Table R301.2).

Does frost depth vary within Cumberland County?

Yes. Estimates differ by 11 inches between the coldest and mildest ZIP codes, mostly from latitude and elevation. Check your own ZIP below.