# Tree Roots in Salt Lake City, UT: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Salt Lake City sidewalk and tree root damage: the adjacent owner is responsible, softened by the 50/50 Concrete Program for single-family homes.

**Who pays:** owner

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.

**Boundary:** 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).

**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.

**City / agency:** 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.

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

## Sources
- [Salt Lake City MyStreet: Sidewalk program (owner responsibility + 50/50 Concrete Program)](https://www.slc.gov/mystreet/sidewalk-program/) — "If you own property next to a sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb and gutter, you're responsible for keeping them in good shape" (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Salt Lake City Transportation: Sidewalk maintenance (snow/vegetation duties, 50/50 split)](https://www.slc.gov/transportation/walking/sidewalk-maintenance/) (accessed 2026-09-05)
- [Salt Lake City, UT Tree Roots source candidate](https://slc.gov/trees)
- [Sidewalk Repairs | MyStreet](https://www.slc.gov/mystreet/sidewalk-program/) — "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." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Sidewalk Maintenance | Transportation](https://www.slc.gov/transportation/walking/sidewalk-maintenance/) — "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." (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-05. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/salt-lake-city-ut-tree-roots/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._