It shall be the duty and obligation of all owners, occupants and users of real property abutting upon streets in the city, at their own cost and expense, to maintain and keep the sidewalks and paving laid thereon bordering their property at curb-grade and level and free of depressions, excavating, deviations, inequalities, obstacles, obstructions or encroachments, natural or artificial, above or below ground level, or which overlap, impinge upon or appropriate any part of the sidewalk area or the space eight (8) feet above it; and generally and in every manner to keep such sidewalks in a safe, adequate and indefective condition, so that they are easily accessible to and may be freely and safely used by the public for travel by foot.
(2000 Code, sec. 21-22)