In New York City, it’s the property owners responsibility to keep the sidewalks in front of their property safe and in excellent condition. If a sidewalk becomes cracked, uneven, or poses a risk to pedestrians, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may issue a violation notice. Once you receive this, you have 75 days to fix the problem. If you don’t act, the DOT might carry out the repair and send you a bill, which must be paid within 90 days.
Property owners must engage private contractors to fix their sidewalks, as the DOT never accepts any request to repair a sidewalk unless it is in front of a city-owned property. However, those who own and live in a 1-, 2-, or 3-family residential property can request NYC Parks to repair their sidewalks.
But only if the sidewalk was damaged exclusively by the roots of a city-owned tree. In that case, the NYC Parks Department might offer assistance through the Trees and Sidewalk Repair Program.
Homeowners who meet the criteria can ask NYC Parks to repair sidewalks uplifted or cracked by tree roots through a city-run initiative called the Trees and Sidewalks Program.
Here’s how the process works:
• File a request online at the NYC Parks website or by calling 311.
• An inspector from NYC Parks will visit to determine whether the sidewalk damage was solely caused by roots of a city street tree.
• To qualify, the tree must be city-owned, and the damage must occur within 50 feet of it.
• If approved, the location is scored on factors like
(a) The extent of the sidewalk damage
(b) How frequently people use the sidewalk
(c) Tree size and health
Properties with higher scores are considered higher priority. Still, due to limited resources, even high-scoring repairs might take years to be completed.
Since the wait time for city repairs under this program can be long, often 3 to 4 years, many homeowners decide to take care of the repairs themselves. Promptly fixing the sidewalk helps avoid accidents, potential lawsuits, and additional city violations.
If you go with fixing your sidewalk by yourself and your home meets the program’s conditions, you may qualify to apply for reimbursement from the city after the work is finished.
Important Note: This program is only for 1-, 2-, or 3-family homes. Owners of larger residential properties, like buildings with 4+ units, and commercial properties must handle tree-related sidewalk repairs themselves.
Here’s a step-by-step process for how you can fix your sidewalks by yourself.
To get started, hire a licensed contractor who is familiar with the city’s sidewalk repair rules, especially when trees are involved. Those contractors having a Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) license are authorized to fix the sidewalks in NYC. Before hiring, you can:
• Confirm the license status by calling 311 or using the Business Background Check Page after visiting the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection website.
• Check reviews and credentials online
Make sure your contractor has experience with tree-related sidewalk work and understands how to meet city requirements.
When repairs are happening within 50 feet of a city-owned tree, you must apply for a Tree Work Permit from NYC Parks. This permit is free of cost and helps ensure the tree won’t be harmed during the repair.
Either you or your contractor can apply online or by calling 311. The permit process can take up to 45 days, and once issued, it's valid for 90 days.
You’ll need the following information in hand when filling out a permit acquisition form:
• Contractor and arborist details (if involved)
• Property address and nearest intersections
• Department of Buildings tracking or BIS number
• A site plan showing how tree roots will be protected during repairs
After the permit is approved, your contractor can start the work. The repair must follow the city's guidelines for working near trees. When the job is complete, request an inspection from NYC Parks to ensure the sidewalk is fixed properly and no damage was done to the tree.
If you're eligible, you can file for reimbursement with the NYC Comptroller’s Office within 90 days of finishing the repair. Be prepared to include:
• Photos showing the sidewalk before and after repair
• A copy of the Tree Work Permit
• The Sidewalk Construction Permit from DOT
• The repair plan approved by NYC Parks
• All receipts and payment confirmations
Property owners cannot submit a request for sidewalk repair, as it is their responsibility to maintain the sidewalks adjacent to their properties. The city does not encourage or accept sidewalk repair requests from property owners. However, for those who own and reside in 1-, 2-, or 3-family residential homes, the NYC Parks Department offers limited assistance, though the repair timeline is often too long.
To avoid safety risks and potential violations, many homeowners choose to address sidewalk damage themselves. With the proper permits and documentation, you may even be eligible to recover some of the repair costs later. Acting promptly helps protect pedestrians, avoids city fines, and keeps your property safe and attractive. If your sidewalk needs attention, contact our NYC sidewalk repair experts today, we’ll help you fix it fast and keep your property in top shape.