# Tree Root Sidewalk Damage in Phoenix, AZ: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Phoenix Code 31-54 makes the owner keep the sidewalk in repair even when a street tree caused the damage. On default the city repairs and liens the property.

**Who pays:** owner

Phoenix puts sidewalk repair and injury liability on the abutting owner, and can lien your property for the cost, with no exception for city-tree root damage.

**Boundary:** The owner must keep the abutting sidewalk in repair and is liable for injuries caused by failing to (Phoenix City Code 31-54). Cutting or trimming a public-place tree needs City Forester permission and is done at the applicant's cost (34-15), but that does not shift the sidewalk bill.

**Property owner:** Phoenix City Code 31-54: "It shall be the duty of the owner or the lessee of any lot or parcel abutting upon any sidewalk now or hereafter constructed in the City to keep and maintain such sidewalk in repair," and an owner who fails "shall be liable for any damage on account of any injury."

**City / agency:** Tree work in public places requires City Forester permission (34-15): "Such cutting, trimming or pruning shall be done by the City Forester at the cost of the applicant."

## Sources
- [Phoenix City Code 31-54/31-55/31-57 (owner duty, liability, city lien)](https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/31-54) — "It shall be the duty of the owner or the lessee of any lot or parcel abutting upon any sidewalk now or hereafter constructed in the City to keep and maintain such sidewalk in repair. (Code 1962, § 35-66)" (accessed 2026-09-07)
- [Phoenix City Code 34-15, Trees and Vegetation (City Forester permission)](https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/34-15) — "It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, trim, remove, injure or interfere with any shrubbery or ornamental trees or shrubbery in parks, pleasure grounds, boulevards, alleys or streets of the City." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Phoenix City Code § 34-15](https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/34-15) — "Such cutting, trimming or pruning shall be done by the City Forester at the cost of the applicant." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Phoenix City Code 31-54/31-55/31-57 (owner duty, liability, city lien)](https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/31-54) — "shall be liable for any damage on account of any injury." (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-27. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/phoenix-az-tree-roots/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._