(A) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons owning any lot or part of a lot in the city which has an abrupt or perpendicular descent thereto from any street or alley of the depth of 18 inches or more formed by an excavation, embankment, fill or wall constructed at or upon the line of such lot to refuse, fail or neglect within 20 days after notice given by any officer of the city, by order of the Common Council, to erect a good, sufficient and substantial guard railing or fence at his or their own proper expense so as to prevent persons traveling or vehicles passing along such street or alley from falling over and down such descent.
(B) The notice required to be given may be either communicated by reading to and within the hearing of the owner of such property, by leaving a true copy of such notice at the last and usual place of residence of such owner or agent or by posting a copy of such notice on the premises.
('74 Code, § 13-5) Penalty, see § 95.99