It shall be the duty of each owner of real estate abutting upon a sidewalk to repair, at his own expense, all holes, uneven surfaces, and other defects in the sidewalk upon which his property abuts, and the materials therefor shall be of similar grade and texture to that used in the construction of the abutting sidewalk. If such owner be a nonresident of the city, or if he cannot be found, it shall be the duty of his agent in charge of the property to make the repairs as required in this article or if there be no such agent, then it shall be the duty of the occupant of the property to make such repairs.
(Code 1977, § 11.540(1))