City Tree Root Sidewalk Damage Claims and Compensation.

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PRESS RELEASE

December 8, 20148

Office of Pittsburgh City Council Member Darlene M. Harris

Contact:  412 255 2135

COUNCILWOMAN DARLENE M. HARRIS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO

City has not increased reimbursement for tree root damage for at least 20 years.

(Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh City Council Member Darlene M. Harris (D- District 1) will introduce legislation on

Tuesday, December 9, 2014, to update the city’s policy for paying out sidewalk damages caused by city

trees. The city currently reimburses city property owners $4.00 per sq. foot. Council Member Harris’

legislation would increase that amount to $8.00 per sq. ft.

“When we looked into this,” said Council Member Harris, “the city’s Law Department reported that the

amount the city pays for tree root damaged sidewalk claims has been $4.00 per sq. foot for at least

twenty years. No one can recall exactly when that amount ($4.00 a sq. ft) had been set. With inflation,

that original value has been cut in half. It is only fair that that there is a readjustment. It might also

motivate people to make needed sidewalk repairs.”

Council Member Harris’ legislation also authorizes the City Solicitor to recalculate the reimbursement

amount every four years based upon the consumer price index. “That would keep the Council from

having to revisit this matter every few years or so. It is good housekeeping. Right now the city is only

covering 20% of the replacement. This legislation would make it 40% reimbursement. That’s about what

it was when the $4.00 number was set decades ago.”

UPDATE SIDEWALK DAMAGE CLAIMS

According to Harris, local contractors estimate that it costs about $500.00 to replace one 5’x5’ sidewalk

slab ($20.00 per sq. ft.). An increase in the Law Department’s 2015 judgment account would be

sufficient to absorb this cost.

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IF YOU ARE MAKING A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SIDEWALK DAMAGE
RESULTING FROM CITY TREE ROOTS: You must notify the Forestry Division
at (412) 665-3625. Roots must be pruned by the City prior to repairs. For more further information download the claim form (PDF) that is to be submitted to the City Law Dept. for sidewalk reimbursements.  Claim_Form (1)