No person shall remove, deface, damage, destroy or otherwise alter the condition of any sidewalk within the city without the express written authorization of the City Council. Any damage or destruction which is occasioned by any party whether it be accidental or otherwise shall be repaired or replaced immediately by the abutting property owner at their expense. If the damage or destruction was occasioned by the actions of a person other than the abutting property owner, the abutting property owner shall have the right to recover the cost of repair or replacement from the responsible person according to the general principles of law, but the actions of third persons shall not alleviate the abutting owner of the responsibility to maintain, replace or repair damaged, destroyed or defective sidewalks.
