If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
Fort Worth owns the trees between the sidewalk and curb (Code § 33-7), but Code § 30-1(b) puts the duty to repair a defective sidewalk on the abutting owner/tenant on notice, with no tree-root carve-out. So the owner pays for sidewalk repair even where a City-owned street tree’s roots caused the damage.
Permit required: yes.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Repair the defective abutting sidewalk within 30 days of the public works director’s notice (§ 30-1(b)), regardless of whether a City street tree caused the damage. |
| City / public agency | The City owns and controls the trees between sidewalk and curb (§ 33-7) but assigns the sidewalk-repair cost to the owner. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 9, 2026.
Any sidewalk, parkway, driveway or curb which has become or is defective, unsafe or hazardous is declared a nuisance. It shall be the duty of the owner or the agent in charge, or the tenant, of the property abutting on any street ... along which a sidewalk, curb or driveway is ordered by the director of the department of public works to be constructed, reconstructed or repaired within 30 days from the receipt of notice from the director of public works, to construct, reconstruct or repair such sidewalk, curb or driveway. The failure ... shall be a misdemeanor.
All trees, plants and shrubs growing between the sidewalk and the curb are the property of the city, and shall be under the control of the department of park and recreation.
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 Fort Worth, TX?
The property owner. Repair the defective abutting sidewalk within 30 days of the public works director’s notice (§ 30-1(b)), regardless of whether a City street tree caused the damage.
What does the city cover in Fort Worth, TX?
The City owns and controls the trees between sidewalk and curb (§ 33-7) but assigns the sidewalk-repair cost to the owner.
Do I need a permit to repair the sidewalk in Fort Worth, TX?
Yes. The rule on record requires a permit for sidewalk work in the public right-of-way.
What is this based on for Fort Worth, TX?
This verdict is sourced to Fort Worth Code § 30-1 (owner must repair defective sidewalk on notice; nuisance) and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Fort Worth Code § 30-1 (owner must repair defective sidewalk on notice; nuisance)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
- Fort Worth Code § 33-7 (trees between sidewalk and curb are the property of the city)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
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