It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any building having a cellar opening upon any street or sidewalk to fail to keep the door or other covering thereof in good repair and safe for the passage of the customary traffic on such street or sidewalk or to permit or allow such cellar to remain open without being properly guarded. If the owner or occupant of any such building shall neglect or refuse to properly repair any such door or covering for twenty four (24) hours after notice from the city engineer to do so, the city engineer shall cause such repairs to be made at the expense of such owner or occupant; provided, that no such opening shall be of a greater dimension than five feet by four feet (5' x 4'). (Prior Code § 18-12)