Any person who shall, without a written permit or franchise so to do, occupy any public street, alley or other public place in the city or construct or maintain upon such street, alley or public place any building, railroad, telephone, telegraph or electric light pole, line or other structure, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and all such buildings, poles, wires, rails, ties or other equipment or material used or maintained in such occupation are hereby declared to be nuisances; and upon failure or refusal of the person so maintaining or creating the same to abate and remove such nuisances, the city may do so and such persons shall be liable in damages in addition to the penalty hereinafter set forth, also be liable for all costs or expenses that the city may incur in abating such nuisances. (Prior code § 15-2-15)