It shall be the duty of every person owning or occupying any lot or block of land in the city which is bounded on any side thereof by any legally established sidewalk, street, lane or alley or other public thoroughfare, to keep such street, sidewalk, lane or alley free from all rubbish, filth, garbage and obstruction of every kind, as far as the middle of such street or alley, and as far as the edge of such sidewalk nearest to the street and as far in length as the corresponding dimension of such lot or block.
(Code 1961 § 21-31)