When and How NYC Parks Fix Sidewalks Damaged by Trees

In New York City, property owners must take care of the sidewalks next to their buildings. If the sidewalk is cracked or uneven and could be dangerous, the city may give you a violation. If you get a sidewalk violation notice from the Department of Transportation (DOT), you have 75 days to fix the problem. If you don’t, the DOT might repair it and send you a bill, which you must pay within 90 days.

But if the damage is only caused by the roots of a city-owned tree, and your home is a 1-, 2-, or 3-family house, you might be able to get help from the NYC Parks Department.

How to Request Sidewalk Repair Through the Trees and Sidewalks Program

Homeowners who qualify can ask NYC Parks to repair sidewalks damaged by city tree roots through the Trees and Sidewalks Program. Here's how the process works:

You can apply online through the NYC Parks website or call 311 to start your request.
An inspector from NYC Parks will visit your property to check if the damage was caused only by tree roots.
The roots must belong to a city-owned tree, and the damage must be within 50 feet of the tree.

If the damage is confirmed to be from tree roots, the site is rated based on several factors:

How severe the sidewalk damage is
How many people walk on that sidewalk
The size and health of the tree

Each location receives a score from 1 to 100. Higher scores mean the repair is a higher priority. However, even high-priority locations may wait years for repair due to limited funding.

Repairing the Sidewalk on Your Own

Waiting for city-funded sidewalk repairs through the Trees and Sidewalks Program usually takes about 1 to 2 years from the time you request a repair until the work is completed. This long wait can be a problem because damaged sidewalks are a safety hazard that could cause accidents and lead to fines or legal liability for you as the property owner.

Because of this, many property owners choose to hire a licensed contractor to fix the sidewalk sooner. Repairing the sidewalk quickly helps protect pedestrians, avoids potential violations, and keeps your property looking well-maintained. After the repair, if you qualify, you can apply for reimbursement from the city to help cover the cost.

Important: If your property is not a 1-, 2-, or 3-family home (called a non-Class 1 property), you are not eligible for the Trees and Sidewalks Program. You will need to handle sidewalk repairs on your own.

Steps to Repair Tree Root Damage Independently

Hire a Licensed Contractor

Find a licensed contractor experienced with sidewalk repairs and city rules. You can:

Ask for recommendations from friends, neighbors, or local community groups.
Search online for NYC-licensed contractors with good reviews.
Check if the contractor is licensed by visiting the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection License Search.
Make sure the contractor knows about sidewalk repairs near trees and follows city regulations.

Apply for a Tree Work Permit

If the sidewalk repair is within 50 feet of a city-owned tree, you need a Tree Work Permit from NYC Parks. This permit is completely free of charge and required to protect the tree during repairs. Either you or your contractor can apply online or by phone. The permit usually takes up to 45 days to be issued and is valid for 90 days.

To apply, you’ll need:

Contractor’s name and contact info (for both the sidewalk repair and the arborist, if involved)
Address of the property and nearby cross streets
Building information like the DOB tracking number or BIS number
A repair plan from the contractor showing how many trees will be affected

Perform Repairs and Request Inspection

Once you have the permit, your contractor will do the repair work, following the rules that protect the tree. After the work is done, you can ask NYC Parks to inspect the sidewalk to make sure everything was done correctly and the tree is safe.

Apply for Reimbursement

If you qualify, you can ask the City Comptroller to pay you back for the repair costs. You must apply within 90 days after finishing the work. When you apply, be ready to submit:

Before and after photos of the sidewalk
The Tree Work Permit from NYC Parks
The DOT Sidewalk Construction Permit
Repair design recommended by NYC Parks (usually given with the tree permit)
All invoices and proof you paid for the repair

Conclusion

NYC Parks offers helpful support, but because of limited funding, only the most urgent repairs get done quickly. Many property owners choose to fix tree root sidewalk damage themselves with a licensed contractor. Acting quickly keeps pedestrians safe and helps you avoid fines or legal trouble.

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