I have referred your issue to the City's Urban Forestry Department. When they have responded I will post an update. Regarding the City's policy on service lines:

Public Utilities policy has been that the customer is responsible in this situation primarily because most residences in older portions of the City do not have a sewer cleanout at the right-of-way. Without this cleanout, we cannot access the service line because the access points would be a cleanout near the customer’s foundation or within a crawl space, both of which are private property. The customer may elect to maintain their service from their clean out near the structure or to install a clean out at the property line (at their expense) through a licensed plumber. However, if the customer can demonstrate to the City via their plumber that the service line is broken between the right-of-way and the main (in the roadway area) then the City will renew this portion of the service line at their expense. If a clean out exists at the right-of-way, then the City can verify the break between this point and the main and again, renew this portion of the service line. Should the customer’s service line come out of the residence to an easement (dedicated portions of private, customer owned property), the entire service line from the residence to the main is the customer’s responsibility.

Regarding the tree root issue: If the trees are on City property but the roots have extended onto private property blocking or damaging sewer lines this is the property owner's responsibility to manage on their own site. If the blockage can be determined to be in the right-of-way, the policy below would be in effect, and a claim might be warranted. Please contact Risk Management at 919-996-2240 to explore that option if there is evidence the tree root issue is in the right-of-way. It has not been the City's policy to remove existing healthy trees because of subsurface conflicts with utility lines. Generally Crepe Myrtles are less problematic than many other kinds of trees because they have fibrous rather than ropy root systems. Other trees are more likely to damage pipes, but properly laid and maintained sewer pipe without cracks should not be affected by Crepe Myrtle roots.

Meant to close this one at this point.

None of these replies is acceptable. First of all, they seem to be from different Unidentified City Departments. The replies are dismissive and full of legalese. Then they shuttle me off to another department number, then you close my complaint. There is a problem here. This is kind of communication that I consistently had with the City of Raleigh before SCF. I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY BAD JUDGEMENT BY THE CITY OF RALEIGH. I am asking you neighbor to neighbor to help me find a solution.

None of this was intended to be dismissive, nor is there any legalese in there, both the policies were clearly identified with the specific Department responsible for them, and all the notes were written by one person who is not in any of these departments. These are long-standing City policies which we are trying to take the time to explain. The first note explains why in older areas of town the citizens of the entire city cannot accept the responsibility to clear clogs in service lines to individual homes. The second explains why we don't cut street trees down throughout the City when there are sewer line conflicts and who is responsible for root damage on either side of the property line. Even with all that said, if you or your plumber has evidence that the clog you were required to clear was in the right-of-way and caused by a city street tree, you can contact the Risk Management division as the phone number provided below and make a claim to be reimbursed. If the clog was on private property, the cost to fix it is a burden that every property owner in the city is required to bear for private service lines, whether or not the roots emanated from a tree located in the right-of-way. Similarly, if a neighbor has a tree in their yard and an overhanging branch falls and causes damage on your property, your insurance company bears the cost.

The opportunity to make a claim is the solution we have offered based on the information you have provided. This is a solution that is consistent with policies that apply to everyone equally. If your plumber can show that there is a break in the line in the right-of-way, you can request repair of the line in the right-of-way in accordance with the policy outlined in the note below. Contact the Public Utilities Department at 919-996-4540, or via email at publicutilityinfo@raleighnc.gov.