No person shall make any excavation or opening or dig any ditch, trench, tunnel or hole in, along, across or under any street, sidewalk or other public place for the purpose of laying or placing therein any pipe, wires or poles or for any other purposes unless a written permit has been issued by some officer of the city vested with proper authority; provided, that a permit shall not be required where the work is performed under a contract with the city, but in the event such work requires a sidewalk or street to be wholly or partially obstructed, the party performing the work shall notify the city at least two (2) hours before obstructing the sidewalk or street, unless prevented by sudden emergency.
State Law Reference: Establishment and control over 'streets, G.S. I60A-296.