Ground Snow Load
Frost Depth & 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.
How Ground Snow Load Rules Differ by Place
Columbus, OH: Columbus OH Ground Snow Load: 20 psf
Few RestrictionsColumbus adopts a ground snow load of 20 pounds per square foot, the figure Ohio's code leaves for each jurisdiction to supply.
Dublin, OH: Dublin OH Ground Snow Load: 20 psf
Few RestrictionsDublin completes Ohio's blank ground snow load column with 20 pounds per square foot, one of the lowest adopted figures of any city we cover.
Lucas County, OH: Lucas County OH Ground Snow Load: 20 psf
Few RestrictionsLucas County establishes a ground snow load of 20 pounds per square foot, matching the City of Toledo and the rest of northwest and central Ohio.
Aurora, CO: Aurora Ground Snow Load: 40 psf
Some RestrictionsAurora 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.
Ground Snow Load Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Connecticut
Some RestrictionsConnecticut lists a ground snow load for each of its 169 towns in Appendix AY of the state building code, ranging from 30 psf across most of the state to 40 psf in the northwest hills.
Indiana
Light RestrictionsIndiana assigns each of its 92 counties a ground snow load of either 20 or 30 pounds per square foot, with the higher figure reserved for the northern counties along Lake Michigan and…
Massachusetts
Some RestrictionsMassachusetts publishes a ground snow load for every one of its 351 cities and towns in a single state table, ranging from 25 psf on the Cape and Islands to 60 psf in the hill towns.
Ohio
Some RestrictionsOhio leaves the ground snow load column of its design criteria table blank, directing each jurisdiction to fill it in from the ground snow load figure in the code.
Rhode Island
Some RestrictionsRhode Island lists a ground snow load for each of its 39 cities and towns, from 25 psf on Block Island to 40 psf in the northern communities, with 30 psf covering most of the state.
Cities & Counties with Ground Snow Load Rules
11 locations
Colorado
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.
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.
Building Design Criteria
The full set of local design criteria, wind speed, seismic design category, weathering, termite risk and ice-barrier requirements, as adopted.