All cellar ways or cellar doors which are made so as to occupy any part of any pavement, shall be constructed with the curbing and covering on a level with the pavement, and so as to offer no obstruction when closed to persons passing on the pavement, and no such cellar way or door shall extend from the building upon the pavement more than four feet. No person shall construct any step, stairway, platform, porch, entrance or other thing which shall occupy any part of the sidewalk, or in any way obstruct the same, nor shall any building be constructed with a cellar way or basement entrance which shall occupy any part of any pavement except such cellar ways as are provided for in this section.
Every person owning, using or occupying a cellar, having a stairway therefrom or any area open into any street, alley or public way or coal vault under such street, alley or public way shall properly secure such stairway, area or vault by a sufficient door or grating covering the whole opening into such street, alley or public way. (1967 Code Sec. 21-7)