Frost line depth in Tacoma, WA 98433
Frost can reach about 12 inches deep in typical soil here (10″ in clay to 15″ in sand). Local codes in climates like this commonly set footing depth at 12 to 18 inches.
Moderate frostFrost depth by soil type
| Soil type | Est. frost depth |
|---|---|
| Sand / gravel (drains well) | 15″ |
| Silt / loam (typical yard soil) | 12″ |
| Clay (holds water) | 10″ |
Estimates use the modified Stefan equation with a turf / light-snow surface. Bare, plowed or paved ground freezes deeper; deep snow cover keeps frost shallower. How we calculate this.
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 Pierce County building or permitting office in Washington and call 811 before digging.
What this means for your project in Tacoma
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 18″ 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 12″ 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; add a margin below the estimate above for unusually cold winters.
Slabs & frost-protected foundations
Frost-protected shallow foundations (IRC R403.3) use the 100-year air freezing index — 153 °F-days here — to size perimeter insulation, letting footings sit shallower than the frost line.
Weather data behind this estimate
| NOAA weather station | Distance | 100-yr AFI |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma City Hall, WA | 12 mi | 117 |
| Puyallup 2 W Exp Sta, WA | 13.5 mi | 160 |
| Mc Millin Reservoir, WA | 15.2 mi | 204 |
98433 ranks #24 of 51 ZIP codes in Pierce County for frost depth (1 = deepest).
Nearby ZIP codes
Common questions
How deep is the frost line in Tacoma, WA?
Based on NOAA's 100-year air freezing index of 153 °F-days for 98433, frost can reach about 12 inches in typical soil, 10 inches in clay and 15 inches in sand or gravel.
How deep do deck footings need to be in 98433?
Footings must sit below the local frost line and at least 12 inches below undisturbed soil. In climates like Tacoma, codes commonly set the depth at 12 to 18 inches. The Pierce County building department sets the exact requirement.
Why does soil type change the frost depth?
Wet clay holds a lot of water, and freezing that water releases heat that slows the frost. Dry sand and gravel hold little water and conduct cold faster, so frost goes deeper.
Where does this data come from?
Freezing-index values come from NOAA National Climatic Data Center station records (1951–80), the same data behind the air-freezing-index map in the International Residential Code. We average the three nearest stations, weighted by distance.