CT HB05602

Property owners become liable for removal expenses of fallen trees or limbs on adjoining properties if the tree was on their private land and an arborist documented the tree or limb as diseased or likely to fall prior to the incident.

The adjoining property owner must provide written notice by certified mail to the tree owner and request removal or pruning, and the tree owner must fail to act within 30 days of receiving notice for liability to attach.

Exemption applies to trees on property owned by political subdivisions of the state or nonprofit organizations qualified as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Property owners may refuse arborist inspection of their property, but the arborist may limit inspection to tree portions visible from the adjoining property owner's land.

Insurance companies may deduct amounts recovered under this liability from insurance policy payouts to policyholders for covered losses; the law does not restrict other civil remedies available by law.

Effective date: October 1, 2015; prior written notices meeting notice requirements before this date remain valid.