Frostline.info

Frost line depth in Erie County, New York

Frost reaches about 35 inches in typical soil across Erie County, from 34″ in the mildest ZIP code to 40″ in the coldest. Codes in this climate commonly set footing depth at 30 to 48 inches.

Deep frost
Estimated frost depth
35″
typical silt/loam soil
Typical code footing depth
30–48″
rule of thumb for this climate
Design freezing index
1,302
°F-days, 100-year winter
ZIP codes covered
61
#38 of 62 counties in NY (1 = deepest)
35″ 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)45″
Silt / loam (typical yard soil)35″
Clay (holds water)31″

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 Erie County building or permitting office in New York and call 811 before digging.

Frost depth by ZIP code in Erie County

ZIPCityEst. frostCode range
14001Akron34″30–42″
14004Alden35″30–42″
14006Angola36″30–48″
14025Boston38″30–48″
14026Bowmansville34″30–42″
14030Chaffee40″36–48″
14031Clarence34″30–42″
14032Clarence Center34″30–42″
14033Colden39″30–48″
14034Collins38″30–48″
14043Depew35″30–42″
14047Derby37″30–48″
14051East Amherst34″30–42″
14052East Aurora37″30–48″
14055East Concord40″36–48″
14057Eden37″30–48″
14059Elma36″30–48″
14068Getzville34″30–42″
14069Glenwood40″36–48″
14072Grand Island34″30–42″
14075Hamburg36″30–48″
14080Holland39″36–48″
14081Irving36″30–48″
14085Lake View35″30–42″
14086Lancaster35″30–48″
14091Lawtons37″30–48″
14102Marilla36″30–48″
14111North Collins37″30–48″
14127Orchard Park36″30–48″
14134Sardinia40″36–48″
14139South Wales38″30–48″
14141Springville40″36–48″
14150Tonawanda34″30–42″
14170West Falls39″30–48″
14201Buffalo34″30–42″
14202Buffalo34″30–42″
14203Buffalo34″30–42″
14204Buffalo34″30–42″
14206Buffalo34″30–42″
14207Buffalo34″30–42″
14208Buffalo34″30–42″
14209Buffalo34″30–42″
14210Buffalo34″30–42″
14211Buffalo34″30–42″
14212Buffalo34″30–42″
14213Buffalo34″30–42″
14214Buffalo34″30–42″
14215Buffalo34″30–42″
14216Buffalo34″30–42″
14217Buffalo34″30–42″
14218Buffalo36″30–48″
14219Buffalo36″30–48″
14220Buffalo34″30–42″
14221Buffalo34″30–42″
14222Buffalo34″30–42″
14223Buffalo34″30–42″
14224Buffalo36″30–48″
14225Buffalo35″30–42″
14226Buffalo34″30–42″
14227Buffalo35″30–48″
14228Buffalo34″30–42″

What this means for your project in Erie 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 35″ 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 — 1,302 °F-days here — to size perimeter insulation, letting footings sit shallower than the frost line.

Weather stations used

NOAA weather stationDistance100-yr AFI
Lockport 2 Ne, NY26 mi1,147
Batavia, NY32 mi1,310
Franklinville, NY37 mi1,715
Fredonia, NY39 mi1,143

Nearby counties

Common questions

What is the frost line depth in Erie County?

About 35 inches in typical soil, based on NOAA's 100-year air freezing index. Across the county's ZIP codes the estimate runs from 34 to 40 inches.

How deep should footings be in Erie County, New York?

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

Does frost depth vary within Erie County?

Yes. Estimates differ by 6 inches between the coldest and mildest ZIP codes, mostly from latitude and elevation. Check your own ZIP below.