§ 97.040 PERMIT REQUIRED.
   (A)   It shall be unlawful for any person, for any purpose, to dig or make any ditch, drain, excavation or hole in, across or under any street, alley, sidewalk or other public place within the city and to fail, within a reasonable time, to refill the same and fix such street, alley, sidewalk or other place in as good condition as the same was found; or for any person, during the existence or continuance of any such ditch, drain, excavation or hole, to fail to have the same so watched, guarded and protected as to reasonably insure the safety of person passing near the same.
   (B)   It shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any obstruction, opening or excavation in any street, sidewalk alley, parking strip or other public place within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a permit so to do from the city.
('71 Code, § 9-1-1) Penalty, see § 97.999