Frost Depth & Snow Load in Aurora, CO (2026)
3 verified frost depth & snow load rules for Aurora, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Frost Line Depth
Aurora requires a minimum frost depth of 36 inches for foundations, published by the city's Building Division in its Engineering Design Criteria for the 2021 I-Codes.
Aurora Frost Depth: 36 Inches for Foundations
Some RestrictionsCity of Aurora Building Division, Engineering Design Criteria (Climatic and Geographic Criteria for the 2021 I-Codes)
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR THE 2021 I-CODES: Ground Snow Load - Pg 40 psf; Special Wind Region No; Topographic Effects No; Seismic Design Category (IRC) B; Weathering Severe; Minimum Frost Depth for Foundations 36 inches; Winter Design Temperature 1 DEGREE (F); Ice Barrier Underlayment Required Yes; Flood Hazard Varies - See City Code Chapter 70.
Ground Snow Load
Aurora sets a ground snow load of 40 pounds per square foot, and requires the roof snow load to be calculated from it rather than published as a fixed figure.
Aurora Ground Snow Load: 40 psf
Some RestrictionsCity of Aurora Building Division, Engineering Design Criteria (Climatic and Geographic Criteria for the 2021 I-Codes)
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR THE 2021 I-CODES: Roof Snow Load - Pf Ps Calculate per ASCE 7-16 chapter 7 (Pergola 20 psf); Ground Snow Load - Pg 40 psf; Basic Wind Speed - Vmph 105-110 Risk Category II, 110-115 Risk Category III, 115-120 Risk Category IV, 100-105 Risk Category I. Linear Interpolation is permitted between contours. See ASCE Hazard Tool (ascehazardtool.org) for site specif...
Building Design Criteria
Aurora's design criteria sheet sets seismic category B, Severe weathering, a 1°F winter design temperature and, unlike neighbouring Denver, requires ice barrier underlayment.
Aurora Building Design Criteria for Homes
Some RestrictionsCity of Aurora Building Division, Engineering Design Criteria (Climatic and Geographic Criteria for the 2021 I-Codes)
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR THE 2021 I-CODES: Special Wind Region No; Topographic Effects No; Exposure Category IRC R301.2.1.4 or IBC 1609.4.3; Seismic Design Category (IRC) B; Weathering Severe; Minimum Frost Depth for Foundations 36 inches; Winter Design Temperature 1 DEGREE (F); Ice Barrier Underlayment Required Yes; Flood Hazard Varies - See City Code Chapter 70.
Looking for Arapahoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Aurora city rules.
Frost Depth & Snow Load in Arapahoe County →