It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm, association or corporation to open or break the surface of the ground within the boundaries of any public highway, road, street, avenue, lane, alley, sidewalk or footpath for the purpose of laying pipes, sewers, drains or conduits of any description, for making connections therewith or repairs thereto or for the setting or planting of telegraph, telephone, electric light or other poles or for repairs thereto or renewals thereof or for any other purpose without first obtaining from the said Board of Commissioners a permit therefor before such work is begun and complying with the other requirements herein specified.