I am having an addition built on my existing PA home (925 sq ft) and when pulling my permit, the township requires that I have a drainage pit dug for the drainage of the 2 downspouts. The cost for this pit is $1700. They said it is part of the BOCA code, yet I don't have one for my existing structure, nor does anyone in my neighboorhood of less than 3 years old. Does anyone have a comment or experience with this?

In the first place, the BOCA Code is extinct, and the code in effect is the International Residential Code 2003. A quick glance through the code shows nothing that would require such pits. Perhaps you filed for your permiy earlier than the time the new code went into effect, and still fall under the BOCA code.
I believe that date was July 2004.

Scott,

if addition is going to be slab w/footing and lets say at back of house, i`d recommend waterproofing that back wall. gl

Rich Hetzel is correct.

I am a Pennsylvania certified Building Code Official and Residential Inspector and Pennsylvania no longer uses the BOCA building codes.

The only requirement under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code is that gutters terminate at least 5 feet away from the foundation.

No drainage pits are required under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code or the International Residential Code for 2003 that it references.

Your township may have amended or altered the Pa UCC to include a drainage pit requirement, and you would need to conform to the township requirements for a pit if that is the case.

If you post the name of your Township and the County in which you are located, I can look up the code requirements to see if what you have been told is true.

As Pennsylvania phases in it's UCC, there are still a lot of building code officials who don't have a clue what is truly required and what is now exempted.

It's quite possible, also, that your code official doesn't have a clue as well.

If you need additional help, list your county and township and we can go from there.

Also, I cannot tell you how many basement water problems I have solved by simply advising homeowners to disconnect their downspouts from whatever underground facility they are connected to, and extending them several feet from the foundation, and this was before the code requirement "homebild" mentions went into effect.

The biggest insanity is putting in perforated pipe footing drains (also now required but in many cases completely unnecessary) and then connecting the downspouts to them! This only pressurizes the perforated drains and can in fact PUMP the water into the building. A darinage pit can also act the same way, depending on your soil type and conditions, which is why "lic. waterproofer" suggested waterproofing the foundation.

The right way to deal with your roof water can only be determined by an examinattion of your site, your roof size and type, soil characteristics, availability of nearby storm drains, and other factors.