In case of an emergency it is necessary to dig or excavate in the streets, alleys, parking strips or other property belonging to the city, at such a time that any person is unable first to make application to obtain a permit, that such person shall within 24 hours after commencing such work make application for a permit so to do, which application shall in addition to other matters required therein, set forth the circumstances under which the digging or excavating is done, which application must meet the approval of the City Engineer and show that an emergency existed. If no emergency is shown to have existed, then such applicant shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this chapter and said City Engineer shall refuse approval of the application for said permit.
('71 Code, § 9-1-5)