Aurora, CO Frost Depth & Snow Load: Ground Snow Load (2026)
Key Facts
- Ground snow load (Pg)
- 40 psf
- Roof snow load
- Not fixed: calculate per ASCE 7-16 chapter 7
- Pergolas
- 20 psf
- Wind speed
- 105-110 mph Risk Category II, with linear interpolation permitted
- Special wind region
- No; topographic effects No
- Code edition enforced
- 2021 I-Codes
Summary
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.
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 specific values. Special Wind Region No. Topographic Effects No.
Full Breakdown
Aurora's Building Division publishes a ground snow load of 40 psf in its Engineering Design Criteria for the 2021 I-Codes. Unlike some Colorado jurisdictions it does not also publish a fixed roof snow load: the sheet directs that the roof value be calculated per ASCE 7-16 chapter 7, with one specific exception, pergolas, which carry 20 psf. That distinction matters, because a ground snow load is not a roof design load and Aurora is explicit that the conversion is the designer's to perform. For wind, the sheet gives a range by risk category rather than a single number and permits linear interpolation between contours, pointing to the ASCE hazard tool for site-specific values. Aurora is not a special wind region and topographic effects do not apply.
Violations & Fines
Ground snow load is a design input checked at plan review rather than a citable offence. Structural drawings must show the roof designed from the 40 psf ground load through the ASCE 7-16 chapter 7 calculation. Submitting the ground figure as though it were the roof design load, or using the 20 psf pergola value on anything other than a pergola, are the errors this sheet is written to prevent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ground snow load in Aurora?
What roof snow load should I design for?
How does Aurora compare with Denver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado frost depth & snow load overview
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