Deconstruction 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.

Funding available

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 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Property owners or developers may apply.
Residential or commercial properties located within Ramsey and Washington Counties are eligible for funding. Publicly owned properties are not eligible for funding.
Structures or area of renovation must be over 500 square feet and be built prior to 1970. Accessory structures, such as garages, decks and sheds, are not included in the square footage.
Grants available to support projects including renovation, full structure deconstruction or full structure moves.

Minimum of five material types from category A (detailed below) must be recovered.
Minimum of 1,000 pounds of material from category B (detailed below) must be deconstructed from residential properties for reuse. Minimum of 2,000 pounds of material from category B must be deconstructed from commercial properties for reuse.
Non-reusable building materials generated from the project must be sent to county-approved construction and demolition waste recycling facilities (i.e. Atomic Recycling and Dem-Con).
Grant applicants must verify viable reuse option for materials by confirming that salvage retail organizations will accept their material.
An asbestos survey of all suspect materials within the proposed project footprint is required by a Minnesota Department House (MDH)-certified asbestos inspector. 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 Ramsey County to discuss best management practices for asbestos abatement.
Deconstruction must take place after the agreement to issue grant funds is established. Grant funding cannot be used for deconstruction work that has already been completed.

Reuse and Disposal Criteria

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.

Applicant submits application.
If not included in original application, county staff will request a copy of the asbestos survey and documentation to verify viable reuse options for materials.
A site inspection will be conducted by county staff to assess eligibility.
After requested documentation is received and inspection is completed, Ramsey and Washington Counties will inform applicant of eligibility status.
If eligibility is confirmed, Ramsey and Washington Counties staff will issue a preliminary contract.
Applicant completes deconstruction project.
Applicant submits itemized receipts from reuse retailers and documentation showing non-reusable materials were sent to approved construction and demolition recycling facility.
Ramsey and Washington Counties staff verifies documentation.
If documentation is 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 and Washington Counties? Check out Hennepin County’s deconstruction grant opportunity.

Programs