Building Design Criteria
Frost Depth & Snow Load
The full set of local design criteria, wind speed, seismic design category, weathering, termite risk and ice-barrier requirements, as adopted.
Building Design Criteria Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Connecticut
Some RestrictionsConnecticut fixes almost the entire residential design criteria table statewide: seismic category B, weathering Severe, a 7°F winter design temperature, required ice barrier…
Indiana
Some RestrictionsIndiana's state design criteria table gives every county a wind speed of 115 mph, a weathering classification of Severe and required ice shield underlayment, while seismic design…
Massachusetts
Some RestrictionsBeyond frost depth and snow load, the Massachusetts design criteria table sets weathering, termite risk, ice barrier, flood and air freezing index values that apply to every home built…
Ohio
Some RestrictionsOhio pre-fills four design criteria for the whole state, 115 mph wind speed, severe weathering, moderate to heavy termite risk and required ice barrier underlayment, and delegates the…
Rhode Island
Some RestrictionsRhode Island's substituted design criteria table sets weathering at Severe, termite risk at Moderate to Heavy, required ice shield underlayment, and a winter design temperature that…
Cities & Counties with Building Design Criteria Rules
4 locations
Other Frost Depth & Snow Load Topics
Frost Line Depth
How deep footings must go below finished grade to sit under the frost line, as adopted locally in IRC Table R301.2 or an amendment to R403.1.4.
Ground Snow Load
The ground snow load in pounds per square foot (Pg) the jurisdiction adopted, which sets what roofs and structures must be designed to carry.
Roof Snow Load
The minimum roof or flat-roof design snow load (Pf), a different quantity from ground snow load, where the jurisdiction adopts its own figure.
Deck Footing Depth
How deep deck and porch footings must be set, plus the size, attachment and permit thresholds that apply to decks specifically.
Fence Post Depth
How deep fence posts must be set relative to the local frost line, and when a fence needs a permit or an inspected footing.
Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations
Whether the jurisdiction permits a frost-protected shallow foundation under IRC R403.3 instead of digging to the full frost depth, and on what terms.