# Sidewalk Repair in Miami, FL: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Miami the owner pays to repair the sidewalk only when the damage was owner-caused or came from a private-property tree root; other causes fall to the City.

**Who pays:** shared

Miami: the owner pays only when the damage was owner-caused or came from a tree on the private property, other causes fall to the City.

**Boundary:** Miami Code § 54-55 makes the abutting owner responsible for repairing the sidewalk where the damage is caused by the owner, its agent or contractor, or by tree roots from trees on the abutting private property, on 30 days’ notice from the director. Damage from other causes is not put on the owner by this section (the City handles it).

**Property owner:** Repair the abutting sidewalk within 30 days of notice where the damage was owner-caused or caused by roots of a tree on the private property (§ 54-55).

**City / agency:** The ordinance assigns owner responsibility only for owner-caused or private-tree-root damage; the City is left to handle other causes.

**Exceptions:** Owner responsibility is limited to owner-caused or private-tree-root damage (§ 54-55).; A sidewalk connected to or part of a driveway is the property owner's to repair.; If a repair is needed, the City temporarily "safes up" the sidewalk within two weeks.

## Sources
- [Miami Code § 54-55 (owner responsible for owner-caused or private-tree-root sidewalk damage)](https://library.municode.com/fl/miami/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH54STSI_ARTIICOEXRE_S54-55NORESIDRLAPALASWCU) — "An abutting property owner is responsible for the repair or replacement of the existing sidewalk, driving lanes, parking lanes, swales, curbs, and gutter (hereinafter "street improvements") where damage is caused by the act or inaction of the abutting owner, its agent or contractor, or where the damage is the result of tree roots from trees located on the abutting private property ... shall allow such owner agent or occupant 30 days in which to repair such street improvements." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Miami Code § 54-54 (unlawful to allow sidewalk/curb hazards; overgrowth)](https://library.municode.com/fl/miami/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH54STSI_ARTIICOEXRE_S54-54ALSISWCUREDACO) — "It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant or agent of any property to which a sidewalk, swale or curb is contiguous, to place or remove any materials or allow overgrowth of trees, shrubs and plants upon such sidewalk, sale or curb as to be dangerous or detrimental to the general public as determined by the director of resilience and public works." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Report a Damaged Sidewalk](https://www.miami.gov/My-Home-Neighborhood/Solve-a-Problem/Report-a-Damaged-Sidewalk) — "The city addresses sidewalk issues that interrupt pedestrian flow, may cause unsafe conditions, or greatly disturb the city's aesthetics." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Report a Damaged Sidewalk](https://www.miami.gov/My-Home-Neighborhood/Solve-a-Problem/Report-a-Damaged-Sidewalk) — "If the sidewalk is connected to, or is part of a driveway, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to repair." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Report a Damaged Sidewalk](https://www.miami.gov/My-Home-Neighborhood/Solve-a-Problem/Report-a-Damaged-Sidewalk) — "If repair is deemed necessary, within two weeks, the city will temporarily "safe up" the sidewalk until further action can be scheduled." (accessed 2026-10-03)

_Last verified 2026-10-03. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/miami-fl-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._