Salt Lake City, UT · Tree Roots

Tree Roots in Salt Lake City, UT: Who Pays?

Who pays?
The property owner pays

Salt Lake City: the adjacent owner is responsible for the sidewalk, but the 50/50 Concrete Program splits the bill for single-family homes when applications are open.

High confidence · Verified Sep 5, 2026 · 3 sources

Exception
  • 50/50 Concrete Program: city pays half for qualifying single-family homeowners (seasonal, application required)
What to do next

What to do next

  1. Check with Salt Lake City before you hire anyone

    Public Services (Streets Division)

    Call (801) 535-7116Official page

    Confirm the current number on the city's official site before relying on it, since departments and numbers change.

  2. Photograph the problem and write down the date

    Take the photos before any work starts.

  3. If the city sent a notice, note its deadline

    Write down the date it must be fixed by and exactly what it asks for.

  4. If the repair is yours, get more than one written quote

    Ask each contractor to confirm where your part ends and the public part begins.

Work through the full repair checklist

If the repair is yours to pay

Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.

Compare local pros on Angi

For concrete, yard, tree, and foundation work, get a few quotes first.

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Responsibility Boundary

Default rule and exceptions

The adjacent property owner is responsible for keeping the sidewalk, driveway approach, and curb and gutter in good shape even though they sit in the public right-of-way. The city runs a 50/50 Concrete Program splitting repair costs with single-family homeowners (seasonal, application-based).

PartyWhat they are responsible for
Property ownerSalt Lake City (MyStreet sidewalk program page): "If you own property next to a sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb and gutter, you're responsible for keeping them in good shape". Owners must also clear snow/sleet within 24 hours and keep vegetation from obstructing the walk.
City / public agencyCity co-funds repairs through the 50/50 Concrete Program (sidewalk, driveway approach, curb and gutter; single-family homeowners; commercial owners pay full cost). 2026-season applications closed; the city says check back early 2027. Streets Division 801-535-6934.
Exceptions50/50 Concrete Program: city pays half for qualifying single-family homeowners (seasonal, application required)

What the source says

Last verified against the primary source on Sep 5, 2026.

If you own property next to a sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb and gutter, you're responsible for keeping them in good shape
Salt Lake City MyStreet: Sidewalk program (owner responsibility + 50/50 Concrete Program), checked Sep 27, 2026
If you own a single-family home, you may qualify for Salt Lake City's 50/50 Concrete Replacement Program. This program splits the cost of repairs between you and the City.
Sidewalk Repairs | MyStreet, checked Sep 27, 2026
Section 14.20.070 of the Salt Lake City Code requires that hail, snow, or sleet on the sidewalk abutting your property be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after such hail, snow, or sleet has ceased falling. ... Section 14.20.010 of the Salt Lake City Code prohibits residents from allowing sidewalks adjacent to their premises to be obstructed.
Sidewalk Maintenance | Transportation, checked Sep 27, 2026

Common questions

Who pays for tree roots in Salt Lake City, UT?

The property owner. Salt Lake City (MyStreet sidewalk program page): "If you own property next to a sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb and gutter, you're responsible for keeping them in good shape". Owners must also clear snow/sleet within 24 hours and keep vegetation from obstructing the walk.

What does the city cover in Salt Lake City, UT?

City co-funds repairs through the 50/50 Concrete Program (sidewalk, driveway approach, curb and gutter; single-family homeowners; commercial owners pay full cost). 2026-season applications closed; the city says check back early 2027. Streets Division 801-535-6934.

Are there exceptions in Salt Lake City, UT?

50/50 Concrete Program: city pays half for qualifying single-family homeowners (seasonal, application required)

What is this based on for Salt Lake City, UT?

This verdict is sourced to Salt Lake City MyStreet: Sidewalk program (owner responsibility + 50/50 Concrete Program) and 5 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.

Sources

  1. Salt Lake City MyStreet: Sidewalk program (owner responsibility + 50/50 Concrete Program)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
  2. Salt Lake City Transportation: Sidewalk maintenance (snow/vegetation duties, 50/50 split)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-05
  3. Salt Lake City, UT Tree Roots source candidateCity Ordinance · unverified-from-court
  4. Sidewalk Repairs | MyStreetofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
  5. Sidewalk Maintenance | Transportationofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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