Pre-demolition Inspections

Ramsey County requires a pre-demolition inspection for all full residential and commercial/industrial demolition projects. You must also have an inspection for major commercial and industrial remodeling projects. To schedule an inspection, call 651-266-1199.

For more information on:

• Getting your demo permit, what's next (PDF)
• Ramsey County’s pre-demolition inspection program procedures. (PDF)
• Pre-Demolition Checklist (PDF) for hazardous materials that are required to be identified, removed and properly managed prior to beginning any demolition.
• Demolition Contractor's FAQ. (PDF)

Copies of the following are required from the demolition contractor, property owner or their designee to meet County pre-demolition inspection program requirements:

• City demolition permit, or in specific cases "City of St. Paul Notice to Proceed" letter.
• MPCA Notification of Intent to Perform a Demolition (submittal to Ramsey County required regardless of whether MN Pollution Control Agency requires the form under the NESHAP regulations).
• Asbestos survey, survey report, abatement receipts, and disposal manifests.
• Completed County Pre-Demolition Inspection Report.
• County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) form (if disposed of through Ramsey County HHW site).
• Disposal receipts including manifests for all commercial or industrial hazardous wastes.
• Appliance and electronics recycling receipts.
• Demolition waste processing or disposal tickets.
• Concrete, brick and metal recycling receipts.
• Proof-of-disposal or proof-of-recycling documents for all wastes.

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Notification of Intent to Perform a Demolition Form is required by Ramsey County regardless if MPCA requires a completed copy - MPCA form w-sw4-21 (PDF)
• Ramsey County Ordinances (PDFs) - Administrative, Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste.
• State of Minnesota Asbestos Programs and Rules - Pollution Control Agency or Department of Health.
• State of Minnesota, 7035.0805 Renovation and Demolition - Pre-Demolition Rule.
• Memo to Municipal Building Officials and Fire Marshalls (PDF)
• Minnesota Dept. Of Health (MDH) pre-demo pamphlet (PDF)
• MDH Friability memo (PDF)

Definitions from the Ramsey County Solid Waste Ordinance. (PDF)

• Construction Debris: waste building materials, packaging, and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition of buildings and roads.
• Demolition Debris: solid waste resulting from the demolition of buildings, roads, and other man-made structures, including concrete, brick, bituminous concrete, untreated wood, masonry, glass, trees and tree trimmings, rock, plastic building parts, and other inert waste materials which has been approved in writing by the Department. Demolition debris does not include asbestos wastes.
• Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): garbage, refuse, and other solid waste from residential, commercial, industrial, and community activities that the generator of the waste aggregates for collection, but does not include auto hulks, street sweepings, ash, construction debris, mining waste, sludges, tree and agricultural wastes, tires, lead acid batteries, used oil, and other materials collected, processed, and disposed of as separate waste streams.

To reduce waste during a demolition, consider removal of items for re-use or salvage before you begin. There are several for profit and non profit companies that accept usable household materials such as cabinets, doors, windows, hot water radiators, wood flooring and trim, light fixtures and appliances. There are also companies available that will come to your project location to remove building materials and pay for them.

Options:

• Demolition, recycling, salvage and disposal contractors (PDF)

Tips:

• Provide clearly labeled containers for recyclables, garbage and other waste.
• Tarp the waste container to secure it when it's not in use to avoid contamination.
• Stage dumpsters in secure area.
• Remove the waste immediately after the job is done.

Take construction and demolition waste (C&D Waste) to a solid waste transfer station, processing station or landfill that accepts C&D Waste.

Options:

• Demolition, recycling, salvage and disposal contractors (PDF)
• Residents A to Z Disposal Guide

The cost to dispose of C&D Waste is exempt from the County Environmental Charge (CEC) only if the waste is disposed at a C&D facility and not at a mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) facility. The State Solid Waste Management Tax applies to C&D Waste disposal. However, if a load of C&D Waste contains too much MSW (such as garbage from lunch, trash bags, carpeting, furniture or other household items), a C&D waste disposal or processing facility might reject it. If a load is rejected, it must go to a MSW facility and be subject to the CEC.