# Tree Root Sidewalk Damage in San Antonio, TX: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> San Antonio Code 29-11 makes the owner repair the sidewalk, parkway, curb and driveway within 30 days of notice. There is no exception for tree-root damage.

**Who pays:** owner

San Antonio puts the tree strip on the owner: the code makes the abutting owner keep the sidewalk, parkway, curb and driveway free from defects. The City's Sidewalk Rebate Program pays back 50 to 70 percent of the repair cost, up to $3,000, while funds last.

**Boundary:** The abutting owner must keep the sidewalk, parkway (the tree strip), curb and driveway in safe condition and repair defects within 30 days of written notice (Code 29-11). The code quoted here has no tree-root exception.

**Property owner:** San Antonio Code: "It shall be the duty of any property owner, or person, firm or corporation making special use of any sidewalk, curb, parkway or driveway ... to keep the sidewalks, parkway, curb and driveway abutting said property in a good and safe condition and free from any defects and hazards." On notice: "It shall be the duty of the owner of abutting property or any special user, upon receipt of written notification ... to repair the same and put it in a safe condition, free from defect and hazard, within thirty (30) days from date of receipt of such notice."

**City / agency:** No city repair duty for the sidewalk or parkway appears in the code quoted here.

## Sources
- [Sec. 29-11. - Maintenance of sidewalks, parkways, curbs and driveways by abutting owners.](https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH29STSI_ARTIINGE) — "It shall be the duty of any property owner, or person, firm or corporation making special use of any sidewalk, curb, parkway or driveway ... to keep the sidewalks, parkway, curb and driveway abutting said property in a good and safe condition and free from any defects and hazards." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Sec. 29-11. - Maintenance of sidewalks, parkways, curbs and driveways by abutting owners.](https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH29STSI_ARTIINGE) — "It shall be the duty of the owner of abutting property or any special user, upon receipt of written notification ... to repair the same and put it in a safe condition, free from defect and hazard, within thirty (30) days from date of receipt of such notice." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Obstructions/Property Owner's Responsibilities](https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/COA/Disability-Access/Business-Housing/Obstructions-Property-Owners-Responsibilities) — "Did you know City Ordinances require sidewalks to be maintained by property owners as an extension of their front yards?" (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Sidewalk Rebate Program](https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/PWD/Streets-Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Rebate) — "The rebate amount will not exceed $3,000." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Sidewalk Rebate Program](https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/PWD/Streets-Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Rebate) — "The eligible rebate that residents can receive range from 50-70% of the repair cost." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Sidewalk Rebate Program](https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/PWD/Streets-Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Rebate) — "The program operates annually from October 1 through September 30 and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Sidewalk Rebate Program](https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/PWD/Streets-Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Rebate) — "Any homeowner within city limits may apply. Commercial properties are not eligible." (accessed 2026-10-03)

_Last verified 2026-10-03. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/san-antonio-tx-tree-roots/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._