If any person shall place or cause to be placed in any street, alley, public square or market square, or any park, or on any lot of whatever kind or character or description which is owned or controlled by the city, any pipes for the transmission of water, gas, sewerage or electrical current, at a less depth than 18 inches below the grade level of the street, gutter, lot, alley, park car square, at the time of laying such pipe, the city shall in no way be liable or responsible for the displacement or breakage, or for disturbing in any way whatsoever, the pipes so laid, and the city shall be held free from indemnity, damage or legal proceedings of any character whatever by reasons of the failure on the part of such person to lay such pipes to such depth as above designated.
('68 Code, § 19-7) Penalty, see § 99.99