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Default rule and exceptions
Dallas City Code Sec. 43-63 makes the abutting owner reconstruct or repair a defective sidewalk at the owner's expense, and Sec. 43-33 makes the owner primarily liable for injuries it causes. The tree ordinance (Ch. 48) governs the trees themselves; the code quoted here has no tree-root exception for sidewalk repair.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Dallas City Code Sec. 43-63: "When a sidewalk, driveway, or any appurtenance to a sidewalk or driveway becomes defective, unsafe, or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair the sidewalk, driveway, or appurtenance, and the expense of such work must be borne by the abutting property owner." |
| City / public agency | Chapter 48 (Trees and Shrubs) puts tree planting, trimming, and removal under the Park Board and City Forester by permit; it does not transfer sidewalk repair off the owner. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 27, 2026.
When a sidewalk, driveway, or any appurtenance to a sidewalk or driveway becomes defective, unsafe, or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair the sidewalk, driveway, or appurtenance, and the expense of such work must be borne by the abutting property owner.
The abutting property owner or person enjoying the use of any property abutting on a sidewalk that has become defective and has resulted in causing damage or injury as a result of such defective condition shall be primarily liable in damages for any loss or damage sustained as a result of such defective condition.
Sec. 48-1. Park board - Authority to regulate planting, cutting, etc. / Sec. 48-2. Same - Appointment and qualifications of city forester / Sec. 48-4. Permits required for planting, trimming, spraying, etc. / Sec. 48-11. Duty to remove dead, diseased, and damaged trees from parkway.
City rules rest on state law. Read Texas's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for tree roots in Dallas, TX?
The property owner. Dallas City Code Sec. 43-63: "When a sidewalk, driveway, or any appurtenance to a sidewalk or driveway becomes defective, unsafe, or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair the sidewalk, driveway, or appurtenance, and the expense of such work must be borne by the abutting property owner."
What does the city cover in Dallas, TX?
Chapter 48 (Trees and Shrubs) puts tree planting, trimming, and removal under the Park Board and City Forester by permit; it does not transfer sidewalk repair off the owner.
What is this based on for Dallas, TX?
This verdict is sourced to Dallas City Code § 43-63 (owner must repair; expense borne by abutting owner) and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Dallas City Code § 43-63 (owner must repair; expense borne by abutting owner)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-27
- Dallas City Code Ch. 43, Sec. 43-33 (owner maintains sidewalk and parkway)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-07
- Dallas City Code Ch. 48, Trees and Shrubs (City Forester permits)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-27
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