Pre-demolition Inspections

Prior to scheduling an inspection

Submit the following:

• Asbestos survey completed by a licensed asbestos inspector, including air sampling clearance if required by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
• City-issued demolition permit or Notice to Proceed. Ramsey County municipalities require a permit for structure demolitions. Contact your city for more information.
• Completed Demolition/Renovation Notification (PDF), also known as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) 10-Day Notification. This is required by Ramsey County regardless if required by MPCA.

Within 30 calendar days after demolition completion

Submit the following for items identified in the asbestos survey and/or pre-demolition inspection:

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

During a pre-demolition inspection, an inspector will meet with the property/project representative to walk through the job site to identify and discuss proper management of hazardous materials. Other demolition requirements, like utility disconnects, are not inspected by the county. Contact your city for more information.

The inspector will then provide a report to further explain responsibilities. A follow-up inspection is generally not required.

Demolition may begin after all identified materials are properly removed and managed. Final documentation (listed above) must be submitted to Ramsey County within 30 days of demolition completion.

Common materials needing proper management

• Asbestos containing materials (requirements).
• Appliances.
• Electronics.
• Fluorescent lamps.
• Hazardous materials (solvents, cleaners, paints, etc).
• Mercury containing devices.
• Oil related wastes.
• PCB containing devices.
• Additional materials (PDF).

Consider reuse

To reduce construction and demolition (C&D) waste, consider removing items for reuse or salvage before demolition. There are several organizations that accept usable household materials, such as cabinets, doors, windows, radiators, wood flooring and trim, light fixtures and appliances. There are also companies that remove building materials onsite and pay for them.

• Learn more about building materials reuse

Manage C&D waste correctly

• Provide labeled containers for recyclables, trash and other waste.
• Tarp the waste container when not in use to avoid contamination.
• Store dumpsters in a secure area.
• Remove the waste immediately after the job is done.

C&D waste disposal

Construction and demolition material can be taken to a solid waste transfer station, processing station or landfill that accepts C&D waste. C&D processing facilities accept materials, such as asphalt, metals and wood for recycling.

Disposal costs

• The cost of C&D waste disposal is exempt from the County Environmental Charge (CEC) if disposed at a C&D facility, not at a mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) facility. If a load of C&D waste contains too much MSW (e.g., garbage from lunch, trash bags, carpeting, furniture, etc.), it may be rejected. As a result, it must go to an MSW facility. The cost of disposal is then subject to the CEC.
• The State Solid Waste Management Tax applies to C&D waste disposal.

Additional disposal options for residential projects

• Residential demolitions can disposal of hazardous waste at the county’s household hazardous waste collection site.
• Use the A to Z Green Guide for disposal options for other materials.

Pre-demolition rules

• Ramsey County Solid Waste Ordinance, Section 15 (PDF)
• Minnesota Rule 7035.0805

Asbestos rules and information

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

Ramsey County ordinances

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

Key definitions

From the 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.