The text
Whenever any hole, depression or obstruction exists in any sidewalk or sidewalk area, the department of public works may order the owner of land abutting on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, at such owner's expense, to fill or cause to be filled or repaired any such hole or depression or to remove any such obstruction thereon within such time as the department of public works shall direct. Such order shall be in writing and shall be personally given to the owner of the abutting land, if residing in the city, particularly describing the materials, widths, height and manner to which the sidewalk or sidewalk area shall be built or the alteration or repairs made, but if the owner does not reside in the city then the notice shall be given to the tenant in possession. If no tenant is in possession of such property, then the same shall be advertised in some newspaper generally circulated in the county at least once and a copy of such notice shall also be sent by mail to the owner's place of residence, if known.
(Code 1971, § 19-2)