Pre-demolition Inspections

Prior to scheduling an inspection, the following documentation must be submitted to Ramsey County.

• Completed asbestos survey by a licensed asbestos inspector, including clearance air sampling (if required by MDH).
• City-issued demolition permit or Notice to Proceed. Cities and townships in Ramsey County require a demolition permit for all demolition of structures. Contact your city directly for information about fees and forms.
• Completed Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Demolition/Renovation notification (PDF), also known as the MPCA 10-Day Notification. This is required by Ramsey County prior to demolition regardless if MPCA requires a completed copy.

Within 30 calendar days after the completion of demolition, the following documentation must be submitted to the county for items identified in the asbestos survey and/or the pre-demolition inspection:

• Asbestos abatement documentation and disposal manifests.
• Disposal/recycling receipts for all major appliances and electronics.
• Disposal/dump tickets for all related municipal solid waste (MSW) and demolition waste.
• Documentation that refrigerant (central A/C or commercial/built in refrigerant/HVAC units) was properly evacuated onsite by a licensed technician.
• Documentation for all other commercial hazardous waste disposal (i.e., hazardous waste manifests, bill of lading, recycling receipts).
• Ramsey County household hazardous waste (HHW) form (if applicable).

At the job site, the county inspector meets with the contractor, building owner or property representative and performs a walk-through inspection to identify, document and discuss proper management of hazardous materials. This includes suspect asbestos containing materials, hazardous wastes, electronics, appliances and municipal solid waste (MSW).

The inspector provides an inspection report to the contractor or property representative to further explain contractor responsibilities. A follow-up inspection is generally not required. Additional demolition requirements, such as utility disconnects, are not inspected by the county, and the contractor should contact the city for more information.

Common materials found during pre-demolition inspections that require proper management:

• Asbestos containing materials.
  Asbestos requirements - Minnesota Department of Health (PDF)
• Appliances.
• Electronics.
• Fluorescent lamps.
• Hazardous materials (solvents, cleaners, paints, etc).
• Mercury containing devices.
• Oil related wastes.
• PCB containing devices.
• For additional materials: Pre-Renovation/Demolition Environmental Checklist - MPCA (PDF)

After an inspection has been conducted and all hazardous materials and asbestos are properly removed and managed, demolition may begin. The contractor or the property representative must submit all final required documentation (listed above) to Ramsey County to fulfill their requirements.

To reduce the amount of waste landfilled from a demolition, consider removal of items for reuse or salvage before you begin. There are several for profit and nonprofit organizations 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 that will come to your project location to remove building materials and pay for them. Learn more about building materials reuse (video)

• Recycling, salvage and disposal vendors for construction and demolition materials (PDF)

Reminders for managing construction and demolition material

• 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.

Construction and demolition material disposal

Construction and demolition (C&D) materials can be taken to a solid waste transfer station, processing station or landfill that accepts C&D waste for disposal. C&D processing facilities accept materials, such as asphalt, metals and wood for recycling and can recover materials for recycling and reduce the amount going to landfill.

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 may reject it. If a load is rejected, it must go to an MSW facility and cost of service or disposal is subject to the CEC.

Additional disposal options for residential projects

• Hazardous waste generated from a residential demolition may be disposed of at Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste collection site. If you are a contractor, Ramsey County pre-demolition inspection staff will provide required paperwork at time of inspection.
• Consider using the Ramsey County's residential A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide.

The removal of hazardous materials prior to demolition or deconstruction is required by Ramsey County Solid Waste Ordinance Section 15 and State of Minnesota Rule 7035.0805.

Asbestos programs and rules

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Memo to municipal building officials and fire marshalls (PDF)
• MDH friability memo (PDF)

Pre-demolition rules

• State of Minnesota, 7035.0805 Renovation and Demolition (PDF)

Ramsey County ordinances

• Administrative (PDF)
• Hazardous waste (PDF)
• Solid waste (PDF)

Key definitions from the Ramsey County Solid Waste Ordinance:

• 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.