Every owner or lessee of any building, house or place of business, within the corporate limits, shall place or permanently fix on such building, house or place of business, the proper number, the figures of which must be painted in gilt or white color on a black background on an oval or rectangular tin or glass plate with a gilt or white border thereon, the same to be placed in such conspicuous place as to be discerned on approaching any such building, house or place of business. However, any owner or occupant may instead of a number on a tin plate as herein required fix upon his, her or their building, house, place of business or residence, any ornamental number, the figures of which shall be of such size and color as to be plainly visible from the street.
(1938 Code §192)