Default rule and exceptions
The City of Miami Department of Resilience and Public Works repairs and maintains City sidewalks in the public right-of-way, and its Report-a-Damaged-Sidewalk page expressly addresses sidewalks made "un-level due to tree roots" The abutting owner is responsible only for the portion connected to or part of a driveway. (City of Miami jurisdiction; county sidewalks route to Miami-Dade.)
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Repair the sidewalk portion connected to or part of a driveway; do not allow tree/shrub overgrowth to make the sidewalk dangerous (§ 54-54). |
| City / public agency | The Department of Resilience and Public Works repairs City sidewalks, including tree-root uplift; it will temporarily "safe up" a reported sidewalk within two weeks. |
| Exceptions | Driveway-connected sidewalk portion is the owner’s; county-jurisdiction sidewalks go to Miami-Dade. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 27, 2026.
Do you see a sidewalk that is broken into multiple pieces or has become un-level due to tree roots, equipment, etc? The city addresses sidewalk issues that interrupt pedestrian flow, may cause unsafe conditions, or greatly disturb the city's aesthetics. ... If the sidewalk is connected to, or is part of a driveway, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to repair.
If repair is deemed necessary, within two weeks, the city will temporarily "safe up" the sidewalk until further action can be scheduled.
City rules rest on state law. Read Florida's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for tree roots in Miami, FL?
The city / utility. Repair the sidewalk portion connected to or part of a driveway; do not allow tree/shrub overgrowth to make the sidewalk dangerous (§ 54-54).
Are there exceptions in Miami, FL?
Driveway-connected sidewalk portion is the owner’s; county-jurisdiction sidewalks go to Miami-Dade.
Is there any cost help for tree roots in Miami, FL?
Report via 311; the City temporarily "safe ups" the sidewalk within two weeks and schedules the permanent repair. Owner pays only the driveway-connected portion.
What is this based on for Miami, FL?
This verdict is sourced to City of Miami: Report a Damaged Sidewalk (City addresses sidewalks un-level due to tree roots) and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- City of Miami: Report a Damaged Sidewalk (City addresses sidewalks un-level due to tree roots)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-27
- City of Miami: Department of Resilience and Public Works (repairs/maintains City sidewalks in the ROW)official · research-cited · accessed 2026-09-09
- Report a Damaged Sidewalkofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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