The Commissioner of Public Works is hereby authorized and empowered
to number, renumber and adjust the numbers of all buildings in the
City. In numbering and renumbering buildings, he shall leave sufficient
numbers on each block so that under any circumstances there would
be but one block where a change would be required in case of renumbering
at any subsequent time.
The owner, agent, lessee or other person in charge of any building
in the City upon a street to which street numbers have been assigned
by the Commissioner of Public Works shall cause the proper street
number or numbers of such building to be displayed on the fanlight,
transom, door, entrance steps or gate or at the nearest practicable
point to the entrance of such building in such manner that the street
number or numbers may at all times be plainly legible from the sidewalk
in front of such building; provided, however, that so far as the purpose
or intent of this chapter is concerned, the "front" shall be construed
as that side of the building which faces the street on which the number
or numbers of such building or premises on which such building is
situated have been allotted, and that the number or numbers shall
be displayed on such side of such building or premises.
If the owner, lessee, agent or other person in charge of any
building upon a street to which street numbers of buildings have been
assigned by the Commissioner of Public Works shall fail to display
the proper street number or numbers of such building as provided in
the foregoing section of this chapter within 30 days after such numbers
have been assigned by the Commissioner of Public Works, the Commissioner
of Public Works shall forthwith serve upon such person or persons
a copy of this chapter, and if within 30 days after service the owner,
lessee, tenant or other person in charge of such building shall fail
or neglect to comply with the provisions thereof, he shall be subject
to a penalty of $50, which shall be sued for and collected in the
name of the City.