A. The owner of any property may occupy a space under a public sidewalk for the purpose of vaults, areaways or similar uses, only upon the approval of the city. Such space shall be limited to that between the building line and curb line. In no case shall a vault be under an alley or entrance to the alley from the street.
B. All such vaults, areaways, etc., shall be covered with a reinforced concrete slab capable of sustaining a live load of two hundred fifty (250) pounds to the square foot. Areaways in a sidewalk for the admission of light to cellar or basement windows may be covered with glass, as provided in this code, provided that such glass covering shall not extend more than four feet (4') beyond the building line.
C. All such vaults, areaways, etc., shall be enclosed by walls of concrete. The thickness of such walls shall be able to resist safely all lateral earth and/or water pressure; together with any surcharge loads; but in no case less than twelve inches (12").
D. Areaways, if in a yard, court or alley, may be protected by iron gratings. Such gratings shall be designed to safely carry a load of four hundred (400) pounds to the square foot, and shall have netting secured to the underside to prevent the accumulation of rubbish in such areaway.
E. All of the above areaways, vaults, etc., shall be made subject to the right of the city to demand the surrender of such space when deemed necessary or advisable. (Ord. 167; amd. 1967 Code §25.03)