Programs

Building Material Reuse Grants

Deconstruction is the process of taking apart a building so that building materials can be reused. Many building materials – including cabinets, light fixtures, bricks, doors, plumbing fixtures, windows and much more – can be reused instead of being sent to a landfill.

Grants are available to support projects including renovation, full structure deconstruction or full structural moves.

Grant requirements & eligibility criteria 

  1. Property owner or developer of residential or commercial properties may apply for the grant. 
  2. Residential or commercial properties located within Ramsey and Washington counties are eligible to apply.  
  3. Structures or area of renovation must be over 500 square feet and built prior to 1970 unless otherwise approved by R&E. Decks and sheds are not included in the square footage. 
  4. All proposed grant projects must meet all city, county, state, regional and national zoning, building, and fire codes.  
  5. All non-reusable building material generated from the project must be sent to a recycling facility that achieves a minimum 50% recycling rate. 

Funding available

Residential deconstruction grant

Residential properties in Ramsey and Washington counties, including multi-unit structures with a maximum of four units, can receive up to $5,000 ($2 per square foot) for projects that use deconstruction/salvage techniques. 

Commercial deconstruction grant

Commercial properties in Ramsey and Washington counties, including multi-unit residential properties with more than four units, can receive up to $10,000 ($2 per square foot) for projects that use deconstruction/salvage techniques. 

Used building material installation grant

Funding can be used to install used building materials in remodel, renovation, and new construction projects. Residential or commercial projects can receive up to $5,000 (up to $2 per square foot) to incorporate used building materials.

Structural move grant

Funding to physically relocate a building to another location. These projects can receive up to $15,000 per project (up to $5 per square foot) based on eligible expenses.

  1. Minimum of five material types from category A (detailed below) must be recovered. 
  2. Minimum of 1,000 pounds of material from category B (detailed below) must be deconstructed from residential properties for reuse. Minimum of 1,000 pounds of material from category B must be deconstructed from commercial properties for reuse. 
  3. All non-reusable building material generated from the project must be sent to a recycling facility that achieves a minimum 60% recycling rate (i.e. LRS and Dem-Con) or source separated material from the job site and delivered directly to end markets. For commercial properties, at a minimum concrete and metal are required to be recycled from the project. 
  4. Grant applicants must verify viable reuse options for materials by confirming that salvage retail organizations will accept their material. 
  5. An asbestos survey of all suspect materials within the proposed project footprint by a Minnesota Department House (MDH)-certified asbestos inspector is required. Any confirmed asbestos-containing materials to be disturbed within the project footprint must be abated by an MDH-licensed asbestos contractor prior to beginning salvage. Homeowners performing deconstruction work themselves are required to contact their county to discuss best management practices for asbestos abatement. 
  6. Projects must take place after the agreement to issue grant funds is established. Grant funding cannot be used for installation or deconstruction work that has already been completed. 
  1. A minimum of five different salvaged materials from Category A must be installed into the project, or 
  2. At least 500 pounds of salvaged lumber from Category B must be installed into the project. 
  3. Must provide documentation verifying reuse criteria was met to receive funds. 

Categories of material types that are acceptable for deconstruction include: 

Category A includes brick or stone blocks, cabinets, casing around doors and windows, light fixtures, mantels, molding, plumbing fixtures, solid wood doors, stair treads and railings, stone details, radiators, wood-framed windows and shutter or siding. 

Category B includes wood flooring, dimensional lumber and ceiling and floor joists. 

Apply for a building material reuse grant
  1. Applicant submits completed application. 
  2. A site visit will be conducted by county staff to assess eligibility. 
  3. After required documentation is received and site visit is completed, R&E staff will inform applicant of eligibility status. 
  4. If eligibility is confirmed, R&E staff will issue a preliminary contract. 
  5. Applicant completes deconstruction, installation, or move project.  
  6. Applicant submits itemized receipts from reuse retailers documenting items were purchased/accepted for reuse.  
  7. Applicant submits documentation showing non-reusable materials met the minimum recycling rate by weight and any hazardous materials were properly managed.   
  8. R&E staff verifies documentation and if confirmed, grantee is issued funds. 
  • All proposed projects must meet all city, county, state, regional and national zoning, building and fire codes. 
  • Before proposed projects can begin, formal approval from Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) must be received. 
  • R&E reserves the right to adjust program guidelines and requirements at any time. 
  • R&E reserves the right to accept or reject any applications and/or request additional information as deemed necessary. 
  • R&E reserves the right to limit the amount of funding or resources provided to any one participating entity. 

Program flier (PDF)

Not in Ramsey or Washington County? Check out Hennepin County’s deconstruction grant opportunity. 

Learn more about building materials reuse and salvage. 

Contact:
Email: programs@recyclingandenergy.org