Section 24-404. Permits; excavations in street; gas distribution lines; electrical conductors

a. It shall be unlawful for any person to take up  the pavement of any street, or to excavate for the purpose of laying any
  gas distribution lines, or any electrical conductors underground, or  of
  constructing subways, or of erecting poles, unless permission in writing
  therefor  shall  have  been  first  obtained  from  the  commissioner of
  transportation. It shall be unlawful to string, lay or maintain any  gas
  distribution  lines,  or  any  electrical  conductors above or below the
  surface of any  street,  in  any  part  of  the  city,  without  written
  permission  from the commissioner of transportation. The commissioner of
  transportation shall determine whether any  extension  of  the  existing
  electrical  conductors  of  any  person shall be by means of overhead or
  underground conductors.
    b. Violations. Any person who shall  violate  any  provision  of  this
  section,  upon  conviction  thereof,  shall be punished by a fine of not
  less then two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred  dollars,
  or imprisonment for thirty days or both.
    * NB Amended L.L. 69/85 § 6, language juxtaposed per Ch. 907/85 § 14