CT SB01061

Property owners are presumed liable for tree/limb removal costs when their tree falls on neighboring land if: an arborist documented the tree was diseased, decayed, or damaged and likely to fall within 5 years; the neighbor sent certified mail notice requesting the condition be cured; and the owner failed to address it within 90 days

The presumption of liability can be rebutted if a subsequent arborist inspection found the tree was not diseased/damaged, or if the tree fell due to other causes such as vehicle collision, fire, lightning, or other act of God

Property owners are not required to provide access to their property for arborist inspections, though an arborist determination is still required to trigger liability

Exclusions apply to state/municipal property, water company land, 501(c)(3) nonprofit property, conservation easements, timber land, farm land, forest land, and open space land

Effective October 1, 2023; received Joint Favorable report from Judiciary Committee